The Source Folder is not Versioned Properly – Hawk Ridge Systems

The following error can occur during installation or when modifying SOLIDWORKS:

"The source folder is not versioned properly: C:\... If you copied this folder manually, you may have forgotten to copy the swdata99.id or swdata1.id files which identify the version of a download or DVD folder, respectively; or the file could not be written."

Source_Folder_Version_Error_SOLIDWORKS

This error means either the swdata99.id file is missing from the installation folder, or the installation manager is pointed to an incorrect installation folder.

The swdata99.id file tells SOLIDWORKS which version and service pack it's using and is required to install and/or modify a SOLIDWORKS installation. In most cases, an swdata99.id file can be added in the specified location to resolve the error. To create and add the file, please follow the steps below.

Adding the "swdata99.id" File

Take note of the full folder path listed in your initial error message:
Create a .txt file containing the installed version and service pack using the format:
SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X (e.g. SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP01.2 or SOLIDWORKS 2024 SP05)
Save the .txt file as 'swdata99.txt' to the folder noted in step 1

Note: If the folder does not exist, locate your installation files and follow the instructions in the next section to Change the Source Folder Location.
If you cannot find your installation files, download and extract new files using the guide: How To Download and Update SOLIDWORKS Products
Rename the file from 'swdata99.txt' to 'swdata99.id'
(Note: the file extension must be changed from .txt to .id (View > check 'File Name Extensions'))
Retry the installation or modification.

Change Source Folder Location

By default, the swdata99.id file is stored in the folder where the original SOLIDWORKS installation files were extracted. To change the folder where SOLIDWORKS is looking for the source file, follow the steps below:

Locate your SOLIDWORKS installation files.

Note: If you cannot find your installation files, download and extract new files using the guide: How To Download and Update SOLIDWORKS Products, then continue to step 2.
From the installation manager's summary page, select "Change" under "Products to Add".
Select a random language file or other product. This will not be installed when running your modification, nor will this change the language of the installation manager. If you are running an installation, this process will not be necessary (steps 2 and 5).
Navigate back to the summary page and select "Change" next to "Download Options".
Select "Browse..." next to "Where do you want to download the required files?" and navigate to the correct download folder. Make sure "Download and Install" is selected if available.
Remove the additional product selected by selecting "Change" next to "Products to Add" and uncheck it from the "Product Selection" page.
Navigate back to the Summary page, accept the terms of the SOLIDWORKS license agreement, and select "Install" or "Modify" now.
If you receive the 'Source Folder is not Versioned Properly' error again after changing the location, please follow the steps in Adding the "swdata99.id" File section of this guide.