Changing SOLIDWORKS PDM License Types

Article by GoEngineer on Mar 16, 2017

This article explains how to quickly switch the SOLIDWORKS PDM license types on a per-client basis. This works for both SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional and SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard.

You pick the client license type during the SOLIDWORKS PDM installation process, so naturally, you can modify the installation (if it’s not an administrative image) and change the license type that way. Or, if you have time, you can uninstall and reinstall with a different license type. Or you can use the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration tool and change it on the fly. Before we get into how to use the admin tool, let’s recap the different license types.

Available licenses for SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 

  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional CAD Editor & Web - supports working with all file types with CAD add-ins. It can also use the WEB client to perform basic functions in the vault.
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Contributor & Web - can perform the same functions as with the Editor License type, except that CAD add-ins are not enabled. The same WEB features as Editor.
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Viewer - allows read-only access to vaults.

Available licenses for SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard

  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard CAD Editor - supports working with SOLIDWORKS, DWG/DXF format, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel files. All file formats that Office plug-in handles behave in the same way in SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard except Preview.
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard Contributor - supports working with SOLIDWORKS, DWG/DXF format, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel files.
  • SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard Viewer - allows read-only access to vaults.

Pro tip: to change the license type if the client was installed using an admin image, you’d have to uninstall and reinstall with a new admin image with the correct license type.

How to Change Your License Type

First, head over to the Administration tool found in the SOLIDWORKS PDM folder under All Programs and open the program.

Changing License Types in SOLIDWORKS PDM

Next, click on Help > About SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration…

Changing License Types in SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration

Click on the Client type drop-down and select the new license type.

Change SOLIDWORKS PDM License Types

After selecting your new license type, it will prompt you to restart your computer. A restart is required for the new license type to take in.

Switch SOLIDWORKS PDM License Types

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About GoEngineer

GoEngineer delivers software, technology, and expertise that enable companies to unlock design innovation and deliver better products faster. With more than 40 years of experience and tens of thousands of customers in high tech, medical, machine design, energy and other industries, GoEngineer provides best-in-class design solutions from SOLIDWORKS CAD, Stratasys 3D printing, Creaform & Artec 3D scanning, CAMWorks, PLM, and more

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