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Start by identifying where SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager stopped—downloading, checking requirements, installing, modifying, repairing, or removing—and save the exact error message and product code. Then use the recovery path for that stage. The Installation Manager is the version-specific tool for downloading, installing, updating, modifying, repairing, and removing SOLIDWORKS Design; its labels and guidance can differ by release. Use the help for the same release you are installing or maintaining.
First, identify the failure stage
Before retrying or changing an installation, note the full text shown under “Installation Errors” or “Installation Canceled,” along with the affected product code. A “Download Problem” and a “Download Cancelled” are different states and can offer different recovery choices. Also record the SOLIDWORKS release and whether this is an individual workstation or an administrative image.
- Download: Installation Manager cannot retrieve or prepare one or more files.
- System check: A warning reports a requirement, connection, or serial-number validation issue.
- Install, modify, repair, or remove: A product operation failed or was interrupted.
The SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager Application Help for 2026 describes the tool’s scope and its release-specific screens.
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Retry or resume the automatic download
For a download error or cancellation, first use Installation Manager’s retry or resume option. Before retrying, confirm that the selected download location is accessible and has enough free space for both the downloaded files and extraction. In the 2026 help, the required-space figure shown by Installation Manager can exceed the download size because some files need extra room to be unzipped. Check the displayed requirement rather than estimating from the final installer size. See Download Product Installation Files.
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Use individual browser downloads if a proxy blocks the automatic method
If a proxy server prevents Installation Manager from downloading automatically, choose its option to download files individually in a web browser. The generated page is tailored to the files required for the selected installation. If the browser asks whether to run or save a file, save it in the requested download location. Once the files are available, return to Installation Manager and continue the installation there. The 2024 Download Results help describes download outcomes and available actions.
Use the folder and files for the same SOLIDWORKS version and selected products. A folder that worked for another release or product selection may not contain every required prerequisite. Installation Manager can still request files that were not downloaded previously.
Do not launch MSI files as a workaround
Do not install downloaded MSI files manually with msiexec. The download-folder guidance warns that the files provided for Installation Manager may omit items needed for a standalone MSI installation. Use setup.exe from the download folder, or continue through Installation Manager as directed. See SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager Download Folder.
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Handle internet connection and serial-number warnings
If Installation Manager cannot connect to SOLIDWORKS to check entitlement or validate a serial number, verify the internet connection and confirm that the serial number is valid for the products selected. The 2026 System Check Warnings help notes that some installations require a valid subscription at the time a version was released. Subscription and entitlement eligibility depend on the product and account; contact your SOLIDWORKS reseller for confirmation rather than assuming the warning can be cleared on the computer.
If a connection or validation problem blocks a download, the documented alternatives include using a DVD or a previously downloaded complete source set, if you have one. Do not treat an incomplete download folder as complete installation media.
Recover from an interrupted installation
Prepare before retrying
- Record the exact error and product code.
- Restart the computer.
- Check that SOLIDWORKS and related processes are no longer running, then retry the operation.
The 2025 recovery guide names processes that may need to be closed, including SLDWORKS.exe, EModelViewer.exe, PDMworks.exe, pdmwVault.exe, SWViewer.exe, swlmwiz.exe, SWBoengine.exe, SWVBAServer.exe, and Sldshellextserver.exe. Confirm the process names in the help for the release you use. Close only processes you recognize as part of the failed SOLIDWORKS operation.
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Retry failed products or abandon the attempt
For an installed version that was being modified or removed, the recovery guide directs users to Windows Programs and Features: select the affected SOLIDWORKS version and choose Change. From there, retry products marked failed or skipped, or remove installed products to abandon the attempt. Abandoning an upgrade does not restore the previous version of products, so do not assume the earlier installation has been rolled back.
If a source-file prompt appears when you were not modifying an existing installation, the recovery guidance says the installation or computer may be corrupt and advises contacting your SOLIDWORKS reseller.
Choose the right recovery path
| Situation | Try this | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic download fails or is canceled | Retry or resume in Installation Manager | Confirm access and available space at the selected download location. |
| A proxy blocks automatic downloads | Download individual files in a browser, then continue in Installation Manager | Use the generated page and complete files for the selected release and products. |
| An individual installation is damaged | Use the Repair your installation workflow | Original source files and applied service packs must still be available. |
| An administrative image needs repair | Uninstall and reinstall the image | The individual-installation repair operation does not repair administrative images. |
| A product failed during modification or removal | Use Change in Programs and Features to retry failed or skipped products, or remove products to abandon the attempt | Abandoning an upgrade does not restore the earlier product version. |
Repair an existing individual installation
Use repair when an existing individual installation needs correction, not as a general remedy for a failed download or an administrative image. The 2026 procedure is:
- Open Windows Control Panel and go to Programs and Features.
- Right-click the SOLIDWORKS Design version and choose Change.
- Select Repair your installation.
- Select the product to repair and click Repair.
Repair requires all source files from the previous installation and any applied service packs to remain available in their original location. If those files are missing, consult the release-specific instructions or contact your reseller. For administrative images, uninstall and reinstall rather than using this repair operation. See Repairing an Installation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Find Installation Manager logs
For a standard user account, the 2025 help gives this log folder, with username and installed_version replaced by the relevant account and release:
C:UsersusernameAppDataRoamingSOLIDWORKSInstallation Logsinstalled_version
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SummaryIMLog_...txt summarizes Installation Manager progress. The Other Logs subfolder contains more detailed information. If Installation Manager ran as a system account, use the system-profile location documented in the same help:
C:WindowsSysWOW64configsystemprofileAppDataRoamingSOLIDWORKSInstallation Logsinstalled_version
The AppData folder may be hidden in File Explorer, so enable display of hidden files and folders if you cannot see it. The release-specific instructions are in SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager Log Files.
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Escalate when the error concerns entitlement or subscription eligibility, required source files cannot be located, a source-file prompt appears outside an existing-installation modification, or installation media is unavailable. Include the SOLIDWORKS release, product code, exact error text, the operation that failed, and the relevant summary or detailed logs. Those details help distinguish a local download or process issue from an account, media, or installation-source problem.
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