Fix SOLIDWORKS Error: The Source Folder is Not Versioned Properly

A common error when installing or modifying an existing installation of SOLIDWORKS is the source folder is not versioned properly.

Figure 1: “The source folder is not versioned properly” error

If you are installing from a set of installation files copied from a DVD or flash drive or that were downloaded from the or GoEngineer websites, this error means exactly what it says: the swdata99.id file is missing. We can resolve this error by recreating the .id file in the location specified in the error message. 

1. Open Notepad
2. Type in the version of SOLIDWORKS you're attempting to install or modify.
1. The format is SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0X
3. Save this text document in the folder specified in the error message.
1. In the screenshot above, this is C:\Users\User\Documents\SOLIDWORKS Downloads\SOLIDWORKS 2021 SP4.1
   
   
   Figure 2: Contents and save location of the new swdata99 text document
   
   
4. Close Notepad, and browse to the location where you saved the text document.
5. Rename the text document to swdata99.id
1. In your File Explorer, make sure file extensions are set to display. Go to the View tab and check the box for File name extensions.
   
   
   Figure 3: File Explorer View Properties
   
   
2. Right click the text document and select Rename.
3. Highlight the entire name, including the .txt file extension.
4. Type in swdata99.id to replace it.
   
   
   Figure 4: Renaming swdata99.txt to swdata99.id in File Explorer

You should now be able to install or modify SOLIDWORKS. I hope you found this quick tip helpful. For more tutorials, check out our YouTube channel or related articles below.

More SOLIDWORKS Tutorials 

3 Ways to Resolve SOLIDWORKS Freezing on Splash Screen

SOLIDWORKS Dialog Box Off Screen Solutions

Inserting Model Dimensions into a SOLIDWORKS Drawing

SOLIDWORKS Content: Download Additional Routing Libraries

Top 3 Causes of the SOLIDWORKS Journal File Warning

VIEW ALL SOLIDWORKS TIPS & TRICKS