Problem

This article walks through the solution for a SOLIDWORKS installation that is missing tabs from the Command Manager, and these tabs are also not available in the list of tabs.

Normally, if there are tabs that you wish to add to the Command Manager, you can add them by right-clicking in the Command Manager > Tabs and then selecting the desired tabs from the list. However, if your installation has become corrupted, it is possible that you will not see all available options listed here. We have seen cases where you may be missing most of the tabs, including Features, Sketch, Evaluate, and so on, and they are not available in the list.

Solution: Reset the Command Manager

If you have tabs that are missing from the list, you will need to reset the Windows Registry key that controls the Command Manager. This will regenerate a new key for the Command Manager and will restore the missing tabs. If done correctly, this will not affect any other customizations, such as toolbars, keyboard shortcuts, and so on.

One thing you need to understand first is that we are going into the registry editor, so you should be extremely careful not to modify anything except what is listed below. If you do not feel comfortable performing the steps listed below, please contact Technical Support.

DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING IN YOUR REGISTRY UNLESS EXPLICITLY INSTRUCTED TO.

Prior to proceeding, it is recommended that you use the Copy Settings Wizard (under Start > Programs > SolidWorks 20XX> SolidWorks tools) to save a copy of your SOLIDWORKS settings. In the following steps, we will also make a hard copy straight from the registry as well.

1. Close all applications, including SOLIDWORKS

2. Hit the START menu and search for REGEDIT, then hit Enter

   

3. Browse to the folder named HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks

4. Right-click on the folder and select Export

   

5. Name it user.reg and store it anywhere you want. We have now made a backup of our current SOLIDWORKS registry.

6. Browse to the folder named HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\SOLIDWORKS 20xx\User Interface\CommandManager, where 20xx is your version of SOLIDWORKS. In the example below, the 2023 version is shown.

   

7. Right-click on the CommandManager folder and choose "Rename", and name the folder "CommandManager.old"

   

   

8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Launch SOLIDWORKS and test that you now have the desired tabs available in the list (right-click the Command Manager > Tabs).
10. If the issue was not resolved and you want your old settings back, close SOLIDWORKS, and double-click the User.reg file to reset your original customization.

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.