The SolidWorks Installation Manager can download the installation files it needs to a folder that you specify.
This topic provides answers to frequently asked questions about the download folder.
Can I install MSI files manually from this folder using swsetup, msiexec, or some other application?
Can I select the same download folder for each version I install?
How do I know when a new version of SolidWorks products becomes available?
The Installation Manager shows only SW2006 or SW2007 installs, but not the current version.
The Installation Manager does not let me select a different service pack to install.
The Installation Manager is prevented from downloading files.
Run the shortcut �SolidWorks <version> Installation Manager�, or browse to sldIM\sldIM.exe. You may still be required to download some files if you select to install items that were not downloaded previously.
If the shortcut does not start the Installation manager, check that it is implemented using a UNC path. You can repair the shortcut by right-clicking it in Windows Explorer and then selecting Properties.
Do not install using setup.exe, swsetup, or msiexec (see below).
No. The Installation Manager does not download some files that would be required when running setup.exe, swsetup, or msiexec.
No. Each download folder is specific to the version of SolidWorks products you are installing (for example, SW2009 SP1). Select a different download folder for each version you install or upgrade to.
Starting in SW2009, files downloaded manually can be used by the Installation Manager. However, it is better to run the Installation Manager, selecting the option to download files. The Installation Manager shows which files you need based on what you are installing, providing links to download each file. This option can be used when the built-in download page does not work (most likely because of downloading restrictions enforced by a proxy server).
Yes. To do so, download to a network share. Each client can then run the Installation Manager from the share to install.
No further downloads will be required unless a user selects some items to install that were not selected during the initial download or if your computer does not meet the minimum system requirements. If you are downloading on behalf of others but are not installing, select the Download Only option after entering your serial number. This option will allow you to select products regardless of what may be installed on your system. However, this option cannot be used to download patches or to create administrative images.
You will be informed when a new version is available in the following cases:
If you run All Programs, SolidWorks Installation Manager, Check For Updates
If you previously scheduled a check for updates and run SolidWorks
If you select an installed version of SolidWorks in Add/Remove programs and click Change
If you run an older version of the Installation Manager (sldIM.exe) from a download folder.
In these cases, you may select to download the newer version. The Installation Manager will download and run the newer version of itself, and not any installation files. After the newer version of the Installation Manager runs, you may select a set of installation actions. The Installation Manager will then determine which installation files are needed (and not downloaded previously) and will offer to download those files.
You are running an older version of the Installation Manager that is no longer supported for the current release. It can only download service packs for SW2006 and SW2007 versions.
That is by design. Each Installation Manager is built only to install a specific version of SolidWorks products. If you want to install a different service pack, you need to run that version�s Installation Manager. To find the latest version available, see How do I know when a new version of SolidWorks products becomes available?
Check For Updates only tells you whether you have installed (or are running) the latest version of the Installation Manager.
If you want to update all products to the latest version that is installed, in Add/Remove programs, select the latest installed version of SolidWorks and click Change.
Yes, but installations may fail unless you copy the entire contents of each DVD released for that platform (x86 or x64). The Installation Manager looks for the files swdata*.id to determine the version. If these files are not present, it will fail to recognize any of the installation files that you copied and will require that they be downloaded.