SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide

This guide will assist in the removal SOLIDWORKS to ensure there are no remnants of its settings,
registry keys and program file folders. A fresh installation of SOLIDWORKS can then be performed
with proper steps to ensure functionality. Depending on the situation, some steps may not be required.
The following workflows are suggested for different scenarios.

IMPORTANT: This document should only be used on machines that are NOT using PDM (Product Data
Management). If you have the PDM client application installed, contact Javelin Technical Support for
further steps as this procedure can affect your PDM vault view.

Installation of SOLIDWORKS with Default File Locations and Settings

1. Backup Customizations and Transfer License
2. Uninstall Procedure
3. Windows Registry Key Cleanup
5. Best Practice Installation Procedure

Full Removal of SOLIDWORKS and Prerequisite Programs to Correct Improper Behaviour

1. Backup Customizations and Transfer License
2. Uninstall Procedure
3. Windows Registry Key Cleanup
4. Prerequisite Program Removal
5. Best Practice Installation Procedure

** DISCLAIMER: This document assumes that your installation of SOLIDWORKS was originally installed using the default locations. If your
installation location for SOLIDWORKS differs, please adjust the techniques below accordingly. The procedures in the following document
require access and edits to the windows registry. Any such edits are at your own risk and should only be attempted under the advisement
and direction of an IT professional. If you are uncomfortable with executing the procedures below, please seek assistance. It is advised to
back up your registry and any valued data before making changes to the system registry. Javelin Technologies Inc assumes no
responsibility for any consequences, unintended or otherwise resulting from changes made to the system or the system registry.

Javelin Technologies Inc.

3457 Superior Court, Unit #1, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, L6L 0C4
Javelin Technologies Inc.
3457 Superior Court, Unit #1, Oakville, Ontario, Canada, L6L 0C4
1-877-21-WORKS (96757) | support@javelin-tech.com | www.javelin-tech.com
1. Backup Customizations and Transfer License
1.1. Backup existing SOLIDWORKS settings using the Copy Settings Wizard (System option, keyboard
shortcuts, menu customizations and toolbar layouts):

Start menu > SOLIDWORKS Tools 20XX > Copy Settings Wizard 20XX
Chose the “Save Settings” option & follow the on-screen instructions
https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2010/12/solidworks-copy-settings-wizard/

1.2. Backup all customized SOLIDWORKS files (templates, weldment profiles, design library, etc.). Any
items that have been customized should be copied out of the default SOLIDWORKS directories.
Consider storing customized files in a separate file location and reference the location in SOLIDWORKS
System Options > File Locations.
https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2012/10/safely-store-your-sw-templates/

1.3. Backup your SOLIDWORKS Toolbox if you’ve made any customizations. The default location is
C:\SolidWorks Data. If you are not sure where your Toolbox is located, open SOLIDWORKS and go to
Tools > Options > System Options tab > Hole Wizard/Toolbox

1.4. Start SOLIDWORKS and transfer your license through Help > Deactivate Licenses
(Help > Transfer Licenses in SOLIDWORKS 2015 and prior)
http://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2012/03/transfer-sw-license/
NOTE: Skip this step if you are using a Network license

Page 2 SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide

2. Uninstall Procedure
2.1. IMPORTANT: Log in as a Windows LOCAL Administrator user account. Consult your IT administrator.

NOTE: DOMAIN administrative rights will not be sufficient. Ensure you have LOCAL administrative rights.
http://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2014/02/need-local-administrative-rights-install-solidworks/

2.2. IMPORTANT: Best practice is to disable any anti-virus or anti-spyware programs currently in use to
avoid conflicts. Consult your IT administrator if required (http://www.javelin-
tech.com/blog/2011/06/disable-antivirus/)

a. From the Windows Start menu, select or type Run and then type Services.msc
b. Browse to any anti-virus/spyware programs in the list, right click and “stop” the services

NOTE: Some antivirus programs cannot be stopped through Services. If this is the case, try disabling the
live protection through the program itself.

2.3. Using Programs and Features (Uninstall a program) in the Windows Control Panel, uninstall the
following programs:

Older versions of SOLIDWORKS (if applicable)

Current version of SOLIDWORKS

When uninstalling SolidWorks:

• Be sure all products are selected to uninstall
• Click “Change” beside Advanced Options and remove ‘Program Files and Folders’, ‘Registry
Entries’ and ‘Data Files and Folders’

SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide Page 3

 • Right-click on the Title Bar in the Installation Manager > Installation Logging Levels > “Create
Windows Installer Logs”

2.4. Delete all remaining SOLIDWORKS directories (NOTE: not all locations may be present on your system):
C:\Program Files\Common Files\eDrawings
C:\Program Files\Common Files\eDrawings<year>
C:\Program Files\Common Files\SolidWorks Installation Manager
C:\Program Files\Common Files\SolidWorks Shared
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\eDrawings
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\SolidWorks Installation Manager
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\SolidWorks Shared
C:\Program Files\SolidWorks
C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp
C:\Program Files (x86)\SolidWorksx86
C:\Program Files (x86)\SolidWorks Corp
C:\Program Files\SolidWorks <year> Corp or the custom location where SOLIDWORKS was installed
C:\SolidWorks Data - delete any duplicates like C:\SolidWorks Data (2)
*C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks
*C:\ProgramData\SolidWorks Flow Simulation

*The ProgramData folder is hidden by default - https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2017/07/solidworks-programdata-folder-not-visible/

Page 4 SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide

3. Windows Registry Key Cleanup

CAUTION: Incorrect changes to the Windows Registry can affect the Windows Operating System and other
programs. Contact your IT administrator if needed. It’s recommended to create backups of your registry keys.
Note: More information regarding the backup and restore of the windows registry may be found at the following URL:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756

IMPORTANT: If you have the PDM Client application installed, DO NOT follow the steps below. Contact Javelin
Technical Support for additional steps.

Remove the following SOLIDWORKS Windows Registry keys after uninstalling all products from the Control
Panel. Some of the keys may not be listed as they have already been removed.

3.1. From the Windows Start menu, type regedit in the search box to open the Registry Editor

3.2. In the Registry Editor, delete the keys below (or rename so they will no longer be located)

Under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software
• Dassault Systemes\Composer
• eDrawings
• SolidWorks
• SolidWorks BackOffice
• srac

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software
• Dassault Systemes\3DVIAComposer
• Dassault Systemes\Composer
• eDrawings
• SolidWorks
• SolidWorks Corporation
• srac

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node
• Dassault Systemes\3DVIAComposer
• Dassault Systemes\Composer
• eDrawings
• SolidWorks
• SolidWorks Corporation NOTE: Other Registry Key Folders are Hidden for Clarity

• srac

SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide Page 5

4. Prerequisite Program Removal
4.1. Using the Windows Control Panel, uninstall the following prerequisite programs (as applicable):
• All Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 (SW2018 and onward)
• All Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 (SW2018 and onward)
• All Microsoft Visual C++ 2012
• All Microsoft Visual C++ 2010
• All Microsoft Visual C++ 2008
• All Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 (SW2016 and earlier)
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Remote Debugger
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Applications

NOTE: Image for reference, not all programs may be listed

4.2. FOR SOLIDWORKS 2013 AND NEWER: Uninstall Visual Basic 7.1
• Open the Command Prompt (Start > All Programs > Accessories > Right-click on Command Prompt
and “Run as Administrator”)
• Type msiexec.exe /X{90120064-0070-0000-0000-4000000FF1CE}

4.3. Remove the following registry keys from the Windows Registry (see Caution in step 3, Windows Registry
Key Cleanup)

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft
• VSTAHOST
• VSTAHostConfig

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Wow6432Node\Microsoft
• VSTAHOST
• VSTAHostConfig

4.4. Using “Programs and Features” in the Windows Control Panel, uninstall the following Windows
prerequisite programs in this order (as applicable):

a. Microsoft Office 2003 Web Components

b. Microsoft .NET Framework 4.X (if listed)
c. Bonjour

NOTE: Image for reference, not all programs may be listed

Page 6 SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide

 4.5. Repair Microsoft .NET Framework
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30135

4.6. Reinstall the .NET Framework Components

a. In Windows Programs and Features list, click “Turn Windows features on or off” in the left pane
• Windows 7 - deselect ‘Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1’
• Windows 10 – deselect ‘Microsoft .NET 3.5’ and ‘Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7’
b. Click OK and wait for the changes to be made
c. Reboot your computer
d. Return to “Turn Windows features on or off”
• Windows 7 – select ‘Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5.1’
• Windows 10 – select ‘Microsoft .NET 3.5’ and ‘Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7’
e. Click OK and wait for the change to be made

Windows 7 Windows 10

OPTIONAL:
Though not typically required or recommended, you can perform a more thorough clean of .NET components
using the following utility. Use ‘All Versions’ option after you’ve deselected the .NET Framework items in the
Control Panel as shown in step 4.6-a above. Read through the guide before using.
http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/NET-Framework-Cleanup-Tool-Download-116561.html
http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2008/08/28/8904493.aspx

4.7. Reboot your system

SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide Page 7

Best Practice Installation Procedure
For instructions on the best practices when installing SolidWorks, please refer to the following installation guides
found on our FAQ webpage at http://www.javelin-tech.com/main/support/faq.htm

• SOLIDWORKS Installation Guide Standalone License

• SOLIDWORKS Installation Guide Network License

RECOMMENDED: Enable Windows Installer Logs when installing

** Note: Further detailed installation instructions can be found in the document ‘SOLIDWORKS Installation and
Administration Guide’ found at https://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/Administration_guides/ServicePacks.html

Page 8 SOLIDWORKS Complete Uninstall Guide