---
title: "Install or Deactivate SolidWorks"
canonical: "https://tech.calpoly.edu/space/CPKB/1706393643/Install%20or%20Deactivate%20SolidWorks"
format: markdown
---
Learn how to download and install or deactivate SolidWorks, a solid modeling computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) computer program.
> ℹ️ Cal Poly Service Desk staff have reported that the installation could take **approximately 30 minutes** to complete from start to finish on average. Please be sure to plan accordingly to avoid interruption/errors…
### First-time SolidWorks installation - STUDENT Edition
click to view how to install the STUDENT version...
1. Go to [software.calpoly.edu](https://software.calpoly.edu)** **and log** **in with your Cal Poly account.
*If you have not set up your computer to use the Software hub visit this **[Quickstart guide](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/l/cp/sG0d5380)**. *
2. Use the **Search Apps** field located at the top of the page to search for **"SolidWorks"**. *You should see the edition that is applicable to your user account at Cal Poly listed in the search results.*
3. Select the **SolidWorks logo icon** to expand a more detailed view. Y*ou will need to view these detailed notes/info to install SolidWorks.*
- **Download** SolidWorks.
For the Education Edition (faculty/staff), click the dropdown arrow, then click **Download**.
For the Student Edition (Cal Poly students), click **Download via SolidWorks.com**.
- Clicking on the “Download via [SolidWorks.com](http://solidworks.com/)” button will prompt a prompt a “prelaunch” dialogue, which will specify a Serial Number and the version applicable.
4. Once redirected to the SOLIDWORKS Community download website, enter you **First Name**, **Last Name** and **email**. In the forth box, select **Student** from the dropdown. Under **Product Information** select **Yes** under ‘I already have a Serial Number that starts with XXXX’ and the appropriate version under ‘Academic Version’. Select **Request Download**.
5. Select **Accept and Continue** and then **Download **on the next screen. This will prompt the download of a file titled** SolidWorksSetup.exe**. **Allow** the file to make changes to you hardware.
6. If the WinZip Self-Extractor window doesn’t pop-up, navigate to your local Downloads folder, locate and double-click the **SolidWorksSetup.exe file**. Once open, click **Unzip**.
*The ****Solidworks Installation Manager**** window will pop up.*
7. Under the **Specify type of installation** field, click **Install on this computer**, then click the **Next **button.
*A serial number automatically populates if you have had Solidworks previously installed. Make sure you enter the Serial Number from the Software Hub provided in Step 3 after clicking “Download via **[Solidworks.com](http://solidworks.com/)**”*
8. Only **SolidWorks** should be selected (make sure all other items are unchecked before proceeding), then click **Next**.
9. Accept the terms at the bottom, then press **Download and Install.**
10. Once downloaded, start **Solidworks Student Edition.**
11. The SolidWorks license activation manager will appear. To activate click the **Automatically over the Internet **button.
12. Once activated, click the **Finish **button. You should now have SolidWorks installed and activated on your device.
> ℹ️ If you receive an error message during the installation process, submit the [Student Support Form](https://www.solidworks.com/support/student-form) and include a screenshot of the error, if possible. You can also contact support by sending an email to [studentsupport@Solidworks.com](mailto:studentsupport@Solidworks.com).
### First-time SolidWorks installation - EDUCATION Edition
click to view how to install the EDUCATION version...
1. Go to [software.calpoly.edu](https://software.calpoly.edu)** **and log** **in with your Cal Poly account.
*If you have not set up your computer to use the Software hub visit this **[Quickstart guide](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/l/cp/sG0d5380)**. *
2. Use the **Search Apps** field located at the top of the page to search for **"SolidWorks"**. *You should see the edition that is applicable to your user account at Cal Poly listed in the search results.*
3. Select the **SolidWorks logo icon** to expand a more detailed view. Y*ou will need to view these detailed notes/info to install SolidWorks.*
4. **Download** SolidWorks.
For the Education Edition (faculty/staff), click the dropdown arrow, then click **Download**.
5. Navigate to your local Downloads folder, locate and double-click the **solidworks_win file**.
6. Check the box to select the **SolidWorks folder**, Click the **Extract tab**, then click **Extract all**.
7. Check the **Show extracted files when complete** box, then click the **Extract** button.
8. Open the **SolidWorks folder**, then double-click the **SolidWorksSetup file.**
9. Click the **Yes** button.
10. Click the **Unzip** button. Then click **OK**. Click **OK** again.
11. Under the Specify type of installation field, click **Install on this computer**, then click **Next**.
12. Enter the** Serial Number** in the spaces provided, then click **Next**.
*Only SOLIDWORKS should be selected.*
> ℹ️ You will find the serial number listed in the **License_Information text file** included in the SolidWorks folder that was referenced in step 8. **If you are prompted to choose a newer version of the software, choose No.**
13. Accept the terms at the bottom, then press **Download and Install.**
14. The SolidWorks license Installation manager will appear. Enter the **Port@ server** in the space provided, then click **OK**.
> ℹ️ You will find the Cal Poly Port@ server listed in the **License_Information text file** included in the SolidWorks folder that was referenced in step 8.
If you receive a message about verifying the server, click **Yes** to continue.
15. The installer screen will indicate the downloading and installing progress while you wait. You will see** Installation is Complete** when done, click the **Finish **button.** **
*SolidWorks is now installed and activated on your device.*
### Deactivate License
click to view how to deactivate...
*We’ll let the experts explain this one.*
Visit SolidWorks' [How to Deactivate a SOLIDWORKS License](https://blogs.solidworks.com/tech/2018/05/how-to-deactivate-a-solidworks-license.html) page for more information.
### Uninstall SolidWorks
click to view how to uninstall...
1. Run the **SolidWorksSetup.exe** file from the initial SolidWorks download (you can redownload it from [Software Hub](https://software.calpoly.edu) if needed) and click **Unzip**. *The Installation Manager will open.*
2. Select **Modify your installation** then click **Next**.
The serial number should auto-populate; if it doesn’t, you can find it on the Software Hub.
3. Make sure SOLIDWORKS under 3D Design is checked, then click **Next**.
4. Deselect every product, then click **Next**.
*In the Summary, it should list all of your products under Products to Remove, and that the Estimated additional installation size is 0 KB.*
5. Accept the license agreement at the bottom, then click **Modify Now**. *A new window will open.*
6. Select** Deactivate now.**
7. Click **Next**. *SolidWorks will deactivate.*
8. Press **Finish**.
*NOTE: The installation progress could take several minutes.*
> ⚠️ Please refer to the [SolidWorksInstallation Common Issues and Troubleshooting](https://calpoly.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CPKB/pages/1823375361) section if you have trouble installing.
---