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Installing or Upgrading the SolidNetWork License Manager for SOLIDWORKS 2023

If you are running the network version of SOLIDWORKS, every new version requires you to upgrade the SolidNetWork license manager. In fact, the latest version of SOLIDWORKS your users work with must match the version of the SolidNetWork License Manager. The license manager is backward compatible with all older versions of SOLIDWORKS along with PDM licenses.

The update is straightforward and doesn’t take long. That said, there are a few things to watch out for.

Before You Start

The first step making sure no users are actively borrowing licenses. If you upgrade the server while someone has a license, that client will run into errors when they try to return the license with the new license manager.

Now, with all borrowed licenses returned, you need to deactivate the license. If you don’t do this, you may have problems re-activating the license even though it is on the same computer.

Select the “Server Administration” tab, then select the “Modify” button.

Next, check the option to “Move your product licenses to a new/upgrade computer”.

Before upgrading your SolidNetWork License Manager, be sure to move the license to ensure you don't receive any errors.

If you have more than one serial number, select the “Select All” option.

Select which serial numbers to deactivate on this screen. This is essential before upgrading your solidnetwork license manager.

Once you’ve deactivated the license, you can then proceed to the upgrade.

You can use the same media/download as you would use for the clients, however, you will want to select “Server Products” from the menu. With the license manager being previously installed. It should default to this option. You will get a notice about a pending reboot, but you will see this always by default even if you have rebooted. It’s recommended to reboot before the installation, but it’s not required.

Upgrading a SolidNetwork License Manager

For upgrading a SolidNetWork License manager follow these instructions:

Start the installation manager and select the option to upgrade the license server.

If upgrading the SolidNetWork license manager, you'll see an upgrade option on the first installation manager screen.

You should not be required to re-enter your serial number since this stored in the registry and does not get removed by default.

Upgrade SolidNetwork License Manager, Installing or Upgrading the SolidNetWork License Manager for SOLIDWORKS 2023

Once the installation has been completed, there is still one major step to finish. You are still required to re-activate.

Launch the license manager. It may prompt you to re-activate as seen in the message below. If not, you will need to click on Modify.

After you finish upgrading your solidnetwork license manager, you'll need to reactivate your network licenses.

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Run through the process of activating. Once this is complete, you are good to go!

Select which serial numbers to reactivate after you finish upgrading your SolidNetWork license manager. You can choose all or just individual licenses.

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Installing a New SolidNetwork License Manager

For a NEW installation of the SolidNetWork License Manager follow these instructions:

For installing a new instance of the SolidNetWork license manager, select the option to install server components on the introductory screen.

Fill in your serial number and click next. Check the terms acceptance box and then download and install.

Upgrade SolidNetwork License Manager, Installing or Upgrading the SolidNetWork License Manager for SOLIDWORKS 2023

Launch the SNL manager from the Windows Start menu, it will be located under SOLIDWORKS 2023 Tools, SolidNetwork License Manager Server. Then you may see the message below. Go ahead and click yes. If not continue to the Modify button.

Upgrade SolidNetwork License Manager, Installing or Upgrading the SolidNetWork License Manager for SOLIDWORKS 2023