Send to a friend
Printer friendly version

How to ensure a clean uninstall and update of SolidWorks

If you're installing a new version or service pack of SolidWorks® software, there are choices and decisions that need to be made. This tech tip will help explain these topics and help you and your organization make a more informed decision on steps to be taken when updating or upgrading SolidWorks.

An upgrade is when a new version is installed on the computer; for example, going from SolidWorks 2005 to SolidWorks 2006. An update is going from one service pack of the same release to another; for example, moving from SolidWorks 2005 SP3.0 to SolidWorks 2005 SP4.0.

Before starting the upgrade or update

The following items should be reviewed:

• All system options have been defined and saved using the Copy Settings Wizard. Save these settings on a network drive and be sure to maintain one master copy other users can reference.
• All other SolidWorks settings (i.e., keyboard shortcuts, menu customizations, and toolbar layouts) have been saved by the individual users. This should be intuitively named (e.g., SWSetting-GJ.sldreg) so each user can save and restore their personalized setting. Note: This is for SolidWorks 2005 and later
• Backup all documents templates, Toolbox databases, and more. Note: Any item that has been customized (i.e., templates, macros, and more) should not be stored in the SolidWorks installation directory. Put these documents and files on the network and reference the location with Tool\Options\File Locations and select the location for these document types
• Obtain administrative rights to the computer
• Be able to temporarily disable anti-virus software
• Obtain the software. For initial release, the SolidWorks website has SP0 available for web download. After the CDs ship only updates (service packs) are available. The updates can be obtained from the SolidWorks Support website. For more information, visit http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/downloads.html .
  You will need a valid subscription service contact and
  associated serial number to access this website.
• For Windows® XP users, you may also want to create a Windows restore point.

You will need to make the following decisions before starting the upgrade or update process:

• Whether to uninstall and then re-install. For new versions of SolidWorks while the old version can be updated, a better practice is to uninstall, clean-up after the install, and then re-apply and configure SolidWorks. For service packs, there is no need to go to this extent. Just update the release to the current service pack.
• New installation or update?
• Multiple versions of SolidWorks can be run at the same time on one computer. Unless the old version is needed, it is best to only have the current version on the computer.
• Create names for the SolidWorks installation directories that are based on the version and service pack for SolidWorks. For example, SolidWorks 2005 SP1.0 would have an installation directory name of SolidWorks2005 for each version. To run multiple service packs on the same machine, create installation directories with the service pack appended to the directory name, like SolidWorks2005-1-0.
• Set a common files location based on version and also decide whether to share the data with others on a network drive. The SolidWorks Toolbox and Hole Wizard database is by default stored in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\SolidWorks Data directory. To run multiple versions on the same computer, make sure this directory has been named to the desired version of SolidWorks (i.e., SolidWorks Data04). To update this directory, copy the data to the new version (i.e., SolidWorks Data05) and point to the directory during the update. SolidWorks will update the database during the update.

Cleaning up afterwards

When uninstalling SolidWorks software there are a number of items that are left on your computer for backup and convenience reasons. The ones we will address are:

• SolidWorks installation directory. This directory has some files that may have been customized by the user. The best solution is to always change the location and reference to these files using Tools\Options\Files locations. The reason this directory is left after an uninstall is a safe guard for users that left items in the SolidWorks installation folder don't find their templates or other customized documents gone after the uninstall. The issue is that SolidWorks will not allow an installation into an existing directory. You might end up with C:\Program Files\SolidWorks, C:\Program Files\SolidWorks (2).
• The Windows Registry keys that are remaining after SolidWorks has been uninstalled. These settings remain as a convenience to the user. If they exist, the next version of SolidWorks will read these values.

Following the steps outlined above before starting will ensure files that are needed later still remain. Afterward, you can remove the installation directory and Windows registry HKCU SolidWorks keys.

The following is a batch file that can be used to uninstall SolidWorks silently, clean the installation directory and Windows registry keys. The advantage of doing these tasks with a batch file is that it is easier and safer (no keyboard fat finger issues). A couple of notes on this batch file:

• Copy this information to notepad and save as SysClean.bat
• The CD is required for updates unless the original install was from an administrative image or the CD was copied to the network. For more information, see the installation guides at http://www.solidworks.com/pages/services/ServicePacks.html
• Make sure all files, the Windows Registy, templates, and other SolidWorks settings and configuration files are backed up prior to running this batch file or removing any of these values.

REM SysClean.bat V1.0

REM Uninstall_Clean_Sw V1.0

REM This will silently uninstall SolidWorks, remove the SolidWorks directory, and clean

REM the Windows registry. Review, edit, remove or comment out (REM) entries as needed.

REM NOTE: Run the Copy Settings WIzard and back up all SolidWorks configuration files

REM before running this batch file.

REM ==========================================================

REM Uninstall SolidWorks.

REM NOTE: The location needs to point to the orignal CD or admin image.

REM The following example is from an admin image. This could be SWDist

REM (Web Download) or a CD drive letter.

misexec -x \\<computer name>\swimage\English_i386_SolidWorks.msi

REM ==========================================================

REM Remove the SolidWorks directory

REM NOTE: This should point to the SolidWorks install directory.

REM All customized documents (formats, etc.) should not be kept

REM in this directory. Place them on the network and use

REM Toos\Options\File Locations to point to the customized documents.

rmdir /s /q c:\program files\SolidWorks

REM ==========================================================

REM Remove the SolidWorks Current_User Windows Registry key.

REM NOTE: If mulitple versions of SolidWorks are installed on the same machine, edit

REM the reg file to add the desired SolidWorks version name.

call Wipe-SW-CM.reg

REM ==========================================================

REM Remove the SolidWorks LOCAL_MACHINE Windows Registry key.

REM NOTE: If mulitple versions of SolidWorks are installed on the same machine,

REM edit the reg file to add the desired SolidWorks version name.

REM IMPORTANT: DO NOT WIPE OUT THIS KEY IF ANY MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF SOLIDWORKS

REM ARE INSTALLED ON THE COMPUTER. THIS IS COMMENTED OUT BY DEFAULT.

REM call Wipe-SW-LM.reg

The following two files — Wipe-SW-CU.reg and Wipe-SW-LM.reg — are Windows registry keys that will remove the SolidWorks HKEY\CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE and HKEY\LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE settings.

NOTE: Copy the information below this line to Notepad and save as
Wipe-SW-CU.reg.

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\SolidWorks]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Bluebeam Software]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\DesignSource]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\GSSL]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Moldflow]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\SolidWorks BackOffice]

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SRAC]

NOTE: Copy the information below this line to Notepad and save as Wipe-SW-LM.reg. Add any other old versions of SolidWorks to this list. This is optional and not as important as the HKEY\CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE keys.

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2003]

[-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2004]

During the update

During the update or upgrade SolidWorks recommends disabling Anti-Virus (AV) applications. The reason is that some AV programs do not allow system components that are in use to be updated. So the system component that SolidWorks needs does not get updated or registered correctly. The other issue Anti-Virus applications has is that when a re-boot is required, the components do not get registered properly. The best way is to turn off the AV during the update or upgrade, and also turn it off so it does not start up automatically on reboot. Once the update is complete, turn back on the AV application.

Perform regular system maintenance

One of the ways a system can be kept in top shape is to perform regular system maintenance. There are a number of Windows utilities that can be run (Disk Defragmenter, Check Disk, Disk Cleanup, and more). Regular system maintenance is a key component in keeping your system, and SolidWorks, running faster.

But there are also many temporary files remaining on your system by SolidWorks and other Windows applications and Windows itself. These are not all captured by the Disk Cleanup utility. The following is an example of a batch file that can be run. This batch file gets rid of the common Windows and SolidWorks temporary files.

REM SysClean V1.0

REM This batch file will cleanup many of the left over files and directories.

REm This utility will also start the disk cleanup, check, and defragmentation

REM utilities. Review and edit locations/paths if necessary.

REM ================================================

REM Clean the SolidWorks backup directory.

REM Note: Change the directory location if necessary.

cd "%userprofile%\Local Settings\TempSWBackupDirectory

del /q /s /f *.*

REM ================================================

REM Clean up the temporary internet files

cd "%userprofile%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files

REM del /q /s /f *.*

REM ================================================

REM Clean up the temp directory

cd %userprofile%\Local Settings\Temp

rmdir /s /q %userprofile%\Local Settings\Temp

REM Remove the Bluebeam and SolidWorks temporary directories

rmdir /q /s Bluebeam Software

FOR /D %%A IN (swx*) DO rmdir /q /s %%A

REM ================================================

REM The following command line will start the Windows Disk Cleanup utility.

REM To run this silently with the last option set on the last run replace the

REM next two lines with just cleanmgr.

cleanmgr /sageset:1

cleanmgr /sagerun:1

REM ================================================

REM Run checkdisk to check for disk errors

chkdsk c: /f

REM ================================================

REM Run the Windows Defragmenter (verbose option set)

defrag c: /v

ECHO

ECHO

ECHO The clean=up utility is complete.

No matter how your organization performs system maintenance, the most important point is to ensure it is run on a regular and scheduled basis. One of the advantages of this batch file is that it can be scheduled using the Windows Task Scheduler. Just browse to the batch file and schedule when it should be run.

Conclusion

To insure a clean, consistant update, these processes help to minimize issues and in the long run save time and effort. SolidWorks always looks to find ways to streamline and automate this process. It's important to have a good plan and an understanding of how best to keep your installation robust for new releases and service packs; this will make your experience with SolidWorks and your interaction with your users better and more productive.

Copyright © 2005 SolidWorks Corporation. All rights reserved.

Do not distribute or reproduce without the written
consent of SolidWorks Corporation