This article goes over how to install 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Design, also known as 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS or SOLIDWORKS Connected. 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Design uses Named-User licensing through the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform. This is not meant to install desktop versions of SOLIDWORKS. For SOLIDWORKS Desktop products that are installed with a traditional Serial Number, review this article: How To Install SOLIDWORKS – Hawk Ridge Systems

Before Installation

Before installing 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Design, make sure the SOLIDWORKS Design role is assigned to the user who wants to install SOLIDWORKS by following the steps here: 3DEXPERIENCE First Steps – Hawk Ridge Systems

Review the SOLIDWORKS Minimum System Requirements: System Requirements | SOLIDWORKS

Run the 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Eligibility tool to check the machine: 3DEXPERIENCE platform on Cloud Support | Dassault Systèmes

3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Design cannot be installed on a machine that has a SOLIDWORKS desktop installation or Design with SOLIDWORKS add-in that is the same Major Version as 3DEXPERIENCE. For example, 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Design 2026 cannot be installed on a machine that has SOLIDWORKS Desktop 2026, but it will work with a machine that has SOLIDWORKS Desktop 2025 or older.

Installation

1. Navigate to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform: https://usw2-ifwe.3dexperience.3ds.com/ 

2. Log in with the 3DEXPERIENCE ID

   

3. Click the Compass at the top left

   

4. Click on the "SOLIDWORKS Design" role under "My Roles"

   

5. In the list of Apps that comes up, click on "SOLIDWORKS Design"

   

6. There may be a website permissions prompt about "Access other apps and services on this device" or similar; click the option to allow it. This may look slightly different in different Internet Browsers. This is crucial to allow the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher to be downloaded and run.

   

7. Download the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher when prompted and run the downloaded 3DEXPERIENCELauncher.msi file to install it, or skip to step 10 if it's already installed

   

8. Click "Next" in the Launcher setup

   

9. Select a location to install the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher and click "Install"

   

10. Once installed, go back to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform and click on SOLIDWORKS Design to install. This time, in the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher prompt window, click "Continue"

    

11. Click "Always" for the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher trusted URL pop-up

    

12. Back on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform page, select "Install All Roles Containing SOLIDWORKS Design"

    

13. In the 3DEXPERIENCE R20XXx HotFix X.X Installation window that comes up, click "Next"

    

14. Run the Cloud Eligibility tool if desired, and click "Next" to continue

    

15. Select the location to install by clicking "Browse", and click "Next" to continue

    

16. We now have a choice of "Update with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform" or "Choose the version to install and update on-demand". For most customers, we recommend using the first option to install the latest version so it will always be kept up to date. The second option allows users to install a specific service pack from the two newest years of SOLIDWORKS, similar to a Desktop SOLIDWORKS Service Pack.

    

17. Optional: Users who have Serial Numbers for SOLIDWORKS add-ins such as CAM, Flow Simulation, Inspection, MBD, Motion, Plastics, and Simulation can add them on this page so they are installed. Click "Next" to continue when ready.

    

18. Select additional languages to install if needed and click "Next" to continue

    

19. Select a location to install the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox/Hole Wizard and click "Next" to continue

    

20. The summary page will note how much space is required and how much is available. Clear additional space if needed and click "Install" to start the installation

    

21. The installation manager will now download and install the program. When it is done, click "OK" for the reboot message and "Close" to close the installation manager

    

22. Restart the machine before launching SOLIDWORKS

23. Launch SOLIDWORKS and log in with your 3DEXPERIENCE ID

    

24. If there is a Windows Permissions prompt about "ENOPLMCSAClient" that comes up as a window, click "Allow"

    

25. If there is a Windows Permissions prompt about "SOLIDWORKS CEF" that comes up as a window, click "Allow"

    

26. 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Design is now installed and activated

After the installation is done, 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Design can be launched from the platform by selecting the SOLIDWORKS Design icon. A shortcut to this icon can also be added to the desktop by selecting the down arrow next to the SOLIDWORKS Design icon and then selecting the curved arrow from the pop-up menu.

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