Learn here how to change your serial number out if you have been given a different one. This applies for all products with a serial number!
License Types
First off, confirm your license type. There are a few ways to do this, but the easiest will be to just look at the serial numbers you have. The third digit is the one the defines if it's a Standalone or a Network. For example, the first four digits of a network would be xx1x, and a standalone would be xx0x.
There are four changes that could happen.
- Standalone to Standalone
- Network to Standalone
- Standalone to Network
- Network to Network
Each one will have a different method of activating. However, the method to change the serial number will be the same.
Deactivating Standalone Licenses
When changing a Standalone license, you must deactivate it first. This can be types 1 and 3 above.
To deactivate your standalone license:
- In SOLIDWORKS 2020 SP3 or newer, at the top right, under the questions mark (?) select Licenses > Transfer (Deactivate) licenses.
- In SOLIDWORKS 2020 SP2 and older, underneath Help, select Licenses > Transfer (Deactivate) licenses.
Depending on your version, the menu may be slightly different, or say Transfer vs Deactivate. In the new box, select the Automatic option, and select all licenses you wish to deactivate. Press next. Then your license should be deactivated.
Regarding Network Licenses
Networks are not deactivated at the client. Generally, it's very uncommon to change the network serial number. You normally will change the server you are looking at. There are some exceptions to this; for example, installing SOLIDWORKS with an active vs inactive Network Serial number would be a reason to change. If you are changing from a network (types 2 and 4) you don't need to deactivate, simply move onto the next step and change the serial number.
Changing the serial number
You will need to modify your installation. Open up the Control Panel. Go to Programs and Features. Scroll down and find your version of SOLIDWORKS. Right click it and select Change.
It may ask you if you want to make changes to your machine. You will want to press yes. This will bring up the installation manager screen again. You most likely will get a warning that “a reboot is pending.” Just press OK. It should default to the first radio button, but if it isn’t select the option Modify your installation and press Next.
You should be at the serial number screen. Delete the old serial number(s) and insert the new serial number(s) here. Keep pressing Next and Modify Now.
Standalone Activations
Standalones are pretty much finished here. Once you start up SOLIDWORKS again, it will prompt to activate. Run through the activation process and let it activate (See our Standalone Activation guide here if necessary). If you cannot press "Next" please ensure you've filled out all the boxes.
Network Changes
Networks can be a little more complicated here. Once changing the serial number, on the final page after you press "Modify Now" it will prompt to find a server location. You will see "25734@servername". Ensure that this is the new server. If not, manually change it to the new server's info. Then, it will start pulling licenses from that server.
If you have any more questions on this process, or it's not working for you, please submit a ticket here.