Problem

There are two different Product levels of SOLIDWORKS PDM (Standard and Professional) that can be purchased, and during the PDM client installation, the correct product must be selected in order for the vault view to connect. If the wrong product is selected, it is easy to modify. This article goes over how to change the PDM Client Type.

Solution 1: Modify the Installation

Changing the installed SOLIDWORKS PDM Client from Standard to Professional or Professional to Standard requires a modification of the SOLIDWORKS Installation.  Please use the following steps to modify the installation:

1. Open Windows Control Panel
2. Access Programs and Features
3. Locate the installation of SOLIDWORKS (or PDM if installed separately from SOLIDWORKS)

4. Select SOLIDWORKS (or PDM if installed separately from SOLIDWORKS) and select "Change" to open the Installation Manager

   

5. Click through the Reboot Message

6. In the installation manager, choose "Modify the installation" and click "Next"

   

7. Continue to click "Next" until the Summary page

   

8. Click the blue "Change" button in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Options section

   

9. Change the radial selection to the correct PDM Product and Client Type, then go back to Summary page by clicking "Back to Summary"

   

10. Click "Modify Now" to start the modification

    

11. When the modification is done, click "Finish" to close the installation manager and then restart the machine

Solution 2: Changing PDM Client type to CAD Editor, Contributor or Viewer  

When in a situation where PDM Standard or PDM Professional is the correct product set, but an incorrect Client Type of CAD Editor, Contributor, or Viewer is selected, we can change the Client Type in two ways depending on the Windows Permissions. 

1. Users with Administrator permissions can change the PDM License following the steps in this article: How To Change The License Type for PDM – Hawk Ridge Systems
2. Without Administrator permissions, we can change the client type by modifying the installation with the steps in Solution 1 above.

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