SOLIDWORKS Rejecting Reality: Renaming a Shared Folder

There may be times when we have some issues with our SOLIDWORKS installations that pertain to .DLL files or other files contained within the SOLIDWORKS Shared folder. It can be anything from a start-up after an unknown bad install, an issue while browsing PDM within Windows Explorer, creating a Pack and Go, or Windows right-click menu in Windows Explorer.

A simple and easy possible fix, which may work, would be to rename the SOLIDWORKS Share folder. This can be found under C:\Program Files\Common Files\SOLIDWORKS Shared. 

To do this, go to C:\Program Files\Common Files, find the SOLIDWORKS Shared folder, and rename the file to SOLIDWORKS Shared_old.

With the folder renamed, reopen SOLIDWORKS, the below prompts will be displayed. SOLIDWORKS will open on its own. DO NOT CANCEL THESE WINDOWS.

This window will then appear.

After this has finished, all installation windows will disappear, your SOLIDWORKS will reopen, and should now be working properly. 

If these fixes do not work, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Technical Support team. 

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