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, these tabs can be added by right-clicking the Command Manager to check them on. If there are tabs missing from the list of tabs, this means the SOLIDWORKS registry may be corrupt.

Solution

The solution is to reset the Windows Registry key that controls the Command Manager with the steps below. 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.

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.

Prior to proceeding, it is recommended to use the Copy Settings Wizard to make a backup of settings, as this article goes over: Save, Restore, or Reset SOLIDWORKS Settings – Hawk Ridge Systems

Follow the steps below to reset the Registry:

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

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

4. Right-click on the folder and select Export

   

5. Name the file user.reg and save it anywhere that is desired. We have now made a backup of our current 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, choose Rename, and name the folder "CommandManager.old"

   

   

8. Close the Registry Editor.
9. Launch SOLIDWORKS and retest the issue by right-clicking the Command Manager to add tabs
10. If the issue was not resolved, the old settings can be restored by closing SOLIDWORKS and double-clicking the User.reg file to reset to the original customizations. The Copy Settings Wizard backup can also be used to restore settings.

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