How to Change Your Serial Number

David Severud
Updated

The SolidWorks Serial Number cannot be changed within SOLIDWORKS, only viewed. To change it, you must modify the SOLIDWORKS installation. This process won't uninstall the program but will update the Serial Number. Modifying the installation is the recommended method to change the Serial Number.

Checking the Current Serial Number

Before changing the Serial Number, we recommend checking what the current Serial Number is to avoid confusion when changing Serial Numbers. This can be checked with the steps below:

  1. Open SOLIDWORKS

  2. Click on Help > About SolidWorks (question mark icon at the top right)

    Click help and select About SOLIDWORKS

Deactivating the Current License

Before changing the Serial Number, we recommend deactivating the current License to avoid activation issues in the future. Deactivate the License with the following steps:

  1. Open SOLIDWORKS

  2. Click on Help > Licenses > Deactivate... (question mark icon at the top right)

    Click on Help Licenses Deactivate...
  3. In the Activation Manager window, select the License(s) to deactivate
  4. Select the method to Deactivate (Automatic over the internet or Manual via Email)
  5. Enter a valid Email Address

  6. Click Next

    Activation Manager Steps
  7. The License(s) will now be deactivated, and then SOLIDWORKS will close

Changing the Serial Number

To change a Serial Number, modify the SOLIDWORKS Installation with the steps below:

  1. Close SOLIDWORKS and other Programs
  2. Click on the Windows Start button and search for "Control Panel"
  3. Select "Programs and Features" 
  4. Right-click on "SOLIDWORKS 20XX SPX.X" and select "Change"

  5. Click through the "A Windows reboot..." message by clicking "OK"

    Click OK through the Windows Reboot Message

  6. Choose "Modify your installation" and click "Next"

    Click Modify and then click Next

  7. In the "Serial Number" page, change the Serial Number(s) as desired and click "Next"

    Change Serial Numbers and click Next

  8. Continue through to the "Summary" page and click "Modify Now" to start the modification

    Click Modify Now to start the Modification
  9. When the Modification is done, click "Finish" to close the Installation Manager
  10. Launch SOLIDWORKS and go through the Activation Manager prompts to activate the new Serial Number(s)

Note: If an activation error occurs, it may be that the license is currently being used by another machine. If you are unable to activate, please contact technical support.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 2 found this helpful

Articles in this section

Comments

0 comments

Article is closed for comments.