Installing SOLIDWORKS Network Edition using an Administrative Image (TechSoft Support Zone)

Installing SOLIDWORKS Network Edition using an Administrative Image

Note: This page is only relevant to installing a Network Licence of SOLIDWORKS

This guide provides step by step instructions to create and deploy an Administrative Image of SOLIDWORKS. An Administrative Image of SOLIDWORKS is the software pre-packaged ready for deployment on user (client) computers.

Before starting, make sure you have read this article first: Overview of SOLIDWORKS Network Edition Installation

As well as this guide, you can also follow the official SOLIDWORKS documentation which can provide additional information if required.

Introduction

Before undertaking these instructions, you must have performed the following procedures:

Installed and activated the SolidNetWork Licence Manager on your server computer. See our full instructions.
Checked that the operating system on your computers is compatible with the SOLIDWORKS version you are installing. For SOLIDWORKS 2024 this is Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit only. Full details can be found at the SOLIDWORKS System Requirements page. Note that on this page, only the operating system is strictly necessary, and the remaining specs are recommended but optional - we would not expect schools to have computers with these specs.

Step 1: Creating the Administrative Image

If you have downloaded the software, you will have an exe file that will be called "SolidWorksSetup2024.exe" or similar. Double click on this file and a "WinZip Self-Extractor" box will open.
Click UnZip, and once completed click on OK.
The SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager should open.

Select Create an administrative image to deploy to multiple computers.

Then select Create a new image using default settings (unless you intend to use a settings file).

Finally click Next.
Enter your Network Serial Number(s).

Schools only have one Network Serial Number beginning with 9710 - if you enter this into the 3D Design > SOLIDWORKS section, then all of the other components will automatically unlock on the next screen.
You can now see what components are available install.

For schools, we recommend clicking the Change button next to Products, and changing the components highlighted in red below (leaving most of them on default):

- SOLIDWORKS (Default: Ticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Languages (Default: English only ticked)
- eDrawings (Default: Ticked)
- SOLIDWORKS File Utilities (Default: Unticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation (Default: Ticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Plastics (Default: Ticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Electrical (RECOMMEND UNTICKING. Default: Unticked)
TechSoft recommend unticking this component as it involves settings up SQL Server Database. In 99% of cases SOLIDWORKS Electrical is not required in a school environment.
- SOLIDWORKS Composer (Default: Unticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Composer Player (Default: Unticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Inspection (Default: Unticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Visualize (Default: Ticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Visualize Boost (Default: Unticked)
- SOLIDWORKS CAM (Default: Ticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Manage Client (RECOMMEND UNTICKING. Default: Ticked with only the sub-component SOLIDWORKS Manage Add-in ticked)
TechSoft recommend unticking this component as it involves settings up additional components on your server. In 99% of cases this will not be required in a school environment.
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Client (RECOMMEND UNTICKING. Default: Ticked with the sub-component unticked)
TechSoft recommend unticking this component as it involves settings up additional components on your server. In 99% of cases this will not be required in a school environment.
- 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace (RECOMMEND UNTICKING. Default: Ticked)
- 3DEXPERIENCE Exchange for SOLIDWORKS (RECOMMEND UNTICKING. Default: Ticked)
TechSoft recommend unticking these components as they are not necessary without a 3DExperience (SolidWorks in the cloud) subscription, and have been known to occasional cause installation issues.
- API Tools (Default: Unticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Simulation (Default: Ticked)
- SOLIDWORKS Motion (Default: Ticked)

When finished click Back to Summary.
Also on this page you can click the Change button next to Download Options to change the location of where the software will be temporarily downloaded to if needed.

You can also click the Change button next to Administrative Image Location to change where the Administrative Image is created. You are free to move the Administrative Image to a different location after it is created.
Once satisfied, tick the box I accept the terms of the SOLIDWORKS Licence Agreement and then click on Download and Create Image.
You will be asked to input your server location. By default this will be 25734@YOUR_SERVER_NAME, but you can double check this by opening the SolidNetWork Licence Manager on your server computer and going to the Server List tab.

Click OK when finished.
The administrative image will now be created - this can take a while to complete. Once finished click on Customize Image, which opens the Administrative Image Options Editor.

Step 2: About the Administrative Image

Once the Administrative Image creation is finished, you end up with a folder on your computer containing the SOLIDWORKS files ready to install. This folder is created at the path specified in the previous steps. The Admin Image folder should look like below:

Installing SOLIDWORKS Network Edition using an Administrative Image

Installing SOLIDWORKS Network Edition using an Administrative Image

64bit folder: This folder contains all of the program files ready for installation.
sldAdminOptionEditor.exe: This is the Administrative Image Options Editor, which allows you to change the setup of the Administrative Image and deploy automatically onto your client computer.
StartSWInstall.hta: If you run this file over the network from a client computer it allows you to install the Administrative Image manually.

Step 3: Preparing the Administrative Image

If you have not already done so, you first need to move the entire Administrative Image folder so it is accessible with read access to your client computers via a network path, i.e. a path like:

\\YOUR_SERVER_NAME\SOLIDWORKS Admin\SOLIDWORKS 2022 SP2.0
You need to open the Administrative Image Options Editor if it is not already open (if you clicked on Customize Image at the end of creating the Administrative Image this is the program that popped up).

To open this, double click on the file sldAdminOptionEditor.exe within the Administrative Image folder. You can then click on the button on the bottom left hand corner of the Options Editor to "Create Desktop Shortcut to this Option Editor" if you wish to open this in future.

Initially, you will only have one section on the Setup tab on the left hand side called Global Settings. Global Settings allows you to change settings about how SOLIDWORKS will be installed to all computers. Alternatively you can create custom settings for individual computers or computer groups on your network if you wish by using the other buttons highlighted on the top left in the image below.
Click the Pen Change Icon highlighted in red on the image below to change the settings and make sure everything is correct (see next steps).
Serial Numbers

- Check that you are using a Network Serial Number (for schools these start with 9710, and you only have to enter this in the SOLIDWORKS section).

- Check that you have the correct "SNL Server port@server", e.g. the path to the SolidNetWork Licence Manager.
Client Installation Options

Default settings shown below:

For Network licences, client computers do not activate their licences and so you should leave this set to "Do not activate automatically". The Server computer has its licence activated, and client computers open based solely on the server path being correct.
Administrative Options

Default settings shown below:
Software to Install

This only shows the software components that were added during the creation of the Administrative Image. You can untick components if you do not want them to be installed on your clients.
Toolbox/Hole Wizard Options

Default settings shown below:

Note: We normally advise keeping the Toolbox in a local location such as the C drive unless you specifically require it to be on a network path. If it is set to a network path the Toolbox will attempt to update every time a SOLIDWORKS installation is run on a client machine. We have found that this can cause issues if the network location does not have required privileges, or if SOLIDWORKS is being run on another computer, or if multiple installations occur at the same time.
Once finished, click OK in the bottom right to save.

Step 4: Deploying the Administrative Image

There are four methods you can use to deploy an Administrative Image (see below).

We strongly advise that you deploy onto one computer first and test that everything is working correctly before installing across your network.

Step 4a: Deploying the Administrative Image - Manually (RECOMMENDED)

Log onto your client computer as an Administrator.
Navigate to the Administrative Image folder over your network, and double click on the file StartSWInstall.hta.
Press Install SOLIDWORKS products now to start the installation.

Note: Please remember that the software is around 20GB in size, so installation can take a few hours with slower network/computer speeds.

Also Note: There is a "Deploy Manually" tab in the Options Editor. All this does is sends an email to a user with a link to the "StartSWInstall.hta" file.

Step 4b: Deploying the Administrative Image - Via Command Line (RECOMMENDED)

The administrative image can also be installed via the command line using the StartSWInstall.exe file in the Administrative Image folder with the switch /install

See here for further information and switches.

Note: Please remember that the software is around 20GB in size, so installation can take a few hours with slower network/computer speeds.

Step 4c: Deploying the Administrative Image - Automatically

Within the Options Editor click on the Setup tab.
Add the computers that you want to install the software onto using the buttons on the top left hand side.
Once added, go to the Deploy Automatically tab. You can use this page to deploy the software to the computers on your network.

Note: We have found this to be a little “hit and miss” and hence this is not our recommended approach. Please remember that the software is around 20GB in size, so installation can take a few hours with slower network/computer speeds.

Step 4d: Deploying the Administrative Image - Alternative Command Line

We do not recommend this option as all of the settings in the Options Editor are ignored, however you can find instructions on the pages below depending on your version of SOLIDWORKS.

SOLIDWORKS 2024 Command Line Installation Instructions

SOLIDWORKS 2023 Command Line Installation Instructions

SOLIDWORKS 2022 Command Line Installation Instructions

SOLIDWORKS 2021 Command Line Installation Instructions

SOLIDWORKS 2020 Command Line Installation Instructions

Next Steps

Congratulations, the SOLIDWORKS software is now installed.

All you have left to do is enjoy the wonderful 3D CAD abilities that the software has to offer.

Article Date: 10/04/2024

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Installing SOLIDWORKS Network Edition using an Administrative Image

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