[valdy]

hi all,
can anyone tell me please if there is a way to copy my copy of solidworks to another comp', lap top,
i no longer have a maint' with them as it is just too much cash to layout at my age, 71,
the new laptop will be win 11 and my desktop is win 10.
any help would be greatly appreciated
thanks
dave

[elephantcnc]

Hi Dave,

You're not alone—many people find the cost of SolidWorks maintenance a bit steep, especially if they're no longer doing commercial work. Here's the straightforward answer to your question:

Can you copy SolidWorks from one PC to another?
Not directly. SolidWorks is licensed software and is not designed to be copied from one computer to another like a regular file. However, you can transfer your license, and install it on your new laptop, provided your version of SolidWorks is compatible with Windows 11.

Here's how you can do it:
? Step 1: Deactivate the License on Your Old PC
Open SolidWorks on your Windows 10 desktop.

Go to Help > Deactivate License (or "Transfer License").

Follow the prompts and deactivate it online.

? Step 2: Install SolidWorks on the New Laptop
You’ll need the:

Installation media (DVD or download files),

Serial number (usually in your original purchase email or box).

If you don’t have the installer, check your emails or the VAR (reseller) who sold you the license. You might still be able to get a download link even without active maintenance.

? Step 3: Activate the License on the Laptop
Once installed, open SolidWorks, and follow the prompts to activate it using the same serial number.

?? Important Notes:
Compatibility: Older versions of SolidWorks might not work well (or at all) on Windows 11. If your version is 2016 or earlier, it may not be officially supported.

Admin Rights: Make sure you run the installer as administrator on Windows 11.

License Type: These steps apply to standalone licenses, not network licenses.

??? If You're Stuck
If the original install files are long gone, or the activation fails, you could:

Try contacting SolidWorks support or your VAR anyway—they often still help one-time license transfers even without a support contract.

Consider SolidWorks Maker Edition (if you're using it non-commercially) – it's much cheaper (~$100/year) and legal.