There are several paths to upgrading your SOLIDWORKS installation, this guide will outline your options and the major differences as compared to a fresh installation.
The first thing to consider is whether you intend to replace your existing installation with the newer version of SOLIDWORKS, or if you want to install the new version alongside your existing installation. If you want to upgrade your existing install, then we recommend for you to use the Check for Updates tool below.
If you want to run them side by side, then we would recommend using the installer of the version you want to install, and treating it as a new installation. For that, you can follow our installation guide on multiple installs here: https://knowledge.cadimensions.com/knowledge/installing-multiple-versions-of-solidworks
Using the Check for Updates Tool
The easiest method to upgrade your SOLIDWORKS installation is to run the Check for Updates tool. There are 2 ways to launch the tool. You can do this from the Windows Start Menu by navigating to SOLIDWORKS Installer > Check for Updates
Or, you can also do this from within SOLIDWORKS by going to Help > Check for Updates.
Once the tool has launched, you will see a screen like the one below. If there is more than one newer version available, you will have a drop down box where you can select which specific version you would like to install, if there is only one newer version, it will not have the drop down. Click Next, and you will be brought to the installer.
From here the process is very similar to a standard installation. Select to Install on this computer, and click Next.
Unless you are adding or removing any components, no changes should be necessary, you should be able to just check the agreement box, and click Download and Install. Upgrades across major versions may prompt you to update folder locations, depending on your installation.
The installer will go ahead and download and upgrade the necessary files.
The installer will proceed, and may take several minutes. Once complete, your installation will have been upgraded and is ready to be used!
If you are still having issues, please place a case on our support page here: https://cadimensions.com/support.