Problem

Some users have experienced an issue where SOLIDWORKS with a Standalone License is very slow to launch or slow to start up. This issue occurs on SOLIDWORKS installations that used to use a Network license, where the old License Server information is lingering on the computer, causing it to try to use a Network license instead of the installed Standalone license.

For customers experiencing this issue, the SOLIDWORKS splash screen will load, but it will hang at the “initializing VBA engine” message, as well as an add-in, and eventually open after a long time. The loading add-in is usually disabled in Tools>Options>Add-ins, but during the launch process, SOLIDWORKS will still try to open it.

Solution 1: Remove the old License Server Address

1. Open the Windows Start Menu
2. Open the SolidNetwork License Manager Client from All Programs>SOLIDWORKS 20XX>SOLIDWORKS Tools
3. Go to the Server List tab
4. Select the License Server Address and click Remove

5. Hit OK to close the program

   

6. Relaunch SOLIDWORKS to retest the issue

If there are no servers listed in the Server List, then proceed to Solution 2 below.

Solution 2: Modify the Registry

When going into the registry editor, do not modify or delete anything except what is listed below. If you do not feel comfortable performing the steps listed below, please contact Technical Support.

1. Close all applications, including SOLIDWORKS.
2. Open Windows Search, search for REGEDIT, and then hit Enter to open the Registry Editor

3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\FLEXlm License Manager

   

4. Right-click on the SW_D_LICENSE_FILE name and select Rename
5. Rename the SW_D_LICENSE_FILE  to SW_D_LICENSE_FILE - OLD
   
6. Press OK
7. Repeat steps 4 to 7 for the following key:
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\FLEXlm License Manager
8. Launch SOLIDWORKS to retest the issue

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