Selecting Version and Installation Type

If a newer version of SolidWorks products is not available, only the Installation Type section appears.

Newer Version Available

The Installation Manager has detected a newer version of SolidWorks products.  

You can choose to install the version contained in the original installation DVD or download, or you can choose to download and install the newer version.

If you are installing from a DVD

Choose one of the following:

• Continue installing <version> from this DVD. You can update afterwards with a smaller download (RECOMMENDED)
  
  Select this option to continue with the installation using the current Installation Manager.
  
  After the installation completes, you can check for and install updates using the Installation Manager. To check for updates,  run SolidWorks Installation Manager, Check for Updates from the Windows Start menu.
  
  The advantage is that this results in a smaller download. The disadvantages are that this is a two-step process and the files that you download are version specific (and cannot be shared by other users using different versions).

• Don't install using this DVD. Download and install <version>

Select this option to download and run a later versions of the Installation Manager to install SolidWorks products for that version.

The advantage is that the files you download can be shared by users running different prior versions of SolidWorks. The disadvantage is that this option requires a large download, and you should retain these downloaded files for future updates.

In most cases, installing the full version from the DVD and then using the Installation Manager to check for and install updates is preferred because requires smaller downloads.

If you are installing from a download:

Choose one of the following:

• Continue installing <version>

Select this option to continue installing the version contained in the initial download.

• Download and install a new version: <version>

Select this option to download the new version and install that. If there are multiple new versions available, you can select the version to download and install.

Installation Type

Once you have specified the version to install, select the installation type:

• Individual (on this computer). Installs SolidWorks products on this computer.

• Administrative Image and Server products. Lets you choose one or more of the following options:

• Create an administrative image on a server

• Install PDMWorks Workgroup Server software (PDMWorks Workgroup vault) on this computer

• Install SolidNetWork License Server (distributed licensing) on this computer

For details about each option, see Installing and Managing Multiple Computers.

• Download full individual installation files for sharing (without installing).
  
  You cannot use this option to create an administrative image.
  
  This option is not available when the installation is initiated from a DVD.

Lets you download the installation files for selected SolidWorks products without installing the products. The downloaded files are the same as those that are available on the SolidWorks <version> installation DVD. Download the full set of installation files, regardless of what files might already be installed on your computer.

You can use this method to set up a server from which your users can perform installations. This is different from creating an administrative image.