Solidworks Host File Block Install ^hot^ Jun 2026
If you are working within a corporate environment, your company's network firewall or proxy server may be blocking outbound traffic to the SolidWorks activation nodes. Contact your IT department to whitelist *.solidworks.com .
Preventing the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager from attempting to reach online activation servers.
The installer freezes indefinitely on the "Checking Serial Number" or "Connecting to SolidWorks" screen.
The primary reason for "blocking" via the hosts file during a SOLIDWORKS setup is to prevent the software from attempting to phone home to a server that is causing the installation to hang. solidworks host file block install
The following servers are used during the SolidWorks installation process:
Modifying system files to bypass software licensing is a violation of the SOLIDWORKS Terms of Use. This information is provided for educational and troubleshooting purposes regarding network configuration only.
: Modern Windows versions require administrative privileges to modify files in the directory. SOLIDWORKS Forums 2. Common Symptoms "Permission Denied" Error : Explicit error messages stating C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts permission denied during the 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher setup. Blank Installation Manager If you are working within a corporate environment,
While specific "block lists" change, they often target domains like: im.solidworks.com im-ak.solidworks.com dl-ak.solidworks.com 3. Troubleshooting "Blocked" Installations
It is strongly recommended to physically disconnect your network by unplugging your Ethernet cable or turning off Wi-Fi (or using Airplane Mode). This will prevent SolidWorks' installer or activation wizard from making any unsolicited contact with the outside world during the critical setup phase.
Some users attempt to block SolidWorks from reaching its official activation or update servers by redirecting those domain names to an invalid IP address, such as 127.0.0.1 (localhost) or 0.0.0.0 . This is sometimes used in unofficial installation guides to prevent the software from verifying license keys against Dassault Systèmes' databases. The installer freezes indefinitely on the "Checking Serial
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0.0.0.0 install.solidworks.com 0.0.0.0 www.solidworks.com 0.0.0.0 api.solidworks.com
Add the following lines at the bottom of the file to block SOLIDWORKS activation and check services. Note: Use 127.0.0.1 to redirect the request to your local machine, effectively blocking it.
Modifying the hosts file is not the only way to control an application's network access.