Administrative Image Repair Guide

This article describes the process to repair a SOLIDWORKS administrative image installation.

Occasionally a repair of SOLIDWORKS is required to make sure the program is working properly. With most installations, this is a simple procedure through the Control Panel.  However, in the case where your company uses a SOLIDWORKS Administrative Image to deploy SOLIDWORKS, this repair method is not available.

Easy Method

The simplest way to conduct a repair is to re-run the startswinstall.hta file that was provided by your IT for the initial installation. This will allow you to re-install/repair the installation.

Advanced Method

In the case where you cannot locate the startswinstall.hta file and your CAD administrator is unavailable, you can manually repair with the steps outlined below:

1. Login to your computer with full administrative rights.

2. Disable any anti-virus, anti-spyware programs, or and disable User Account Control.

3. Navigate to the Windows directory C:\Windows\Installer. This directory is typically hidden, so copying and pasting it directly into the Windows Explorer URL bar works best.
   

4. Right click on the header bar showing the columns and add Tags, then click on the Tags column to re-sort it.
   

5. Scroll down the list until you found a listing that states SOLIDWORKS,  Modeler and right click on it, and select Repair.
   

5. Once the configure installer window appears, verify that you are repairing the correct product and service pack and allow it to complete. This may take 20 minutes.
   

Now you will want to reboot your machine and start SOLIDWORKS. Test out your issue to see if the repair has resolved any problems you were having with SOLIDWORKS.