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Installation Options and Destination Directories?

Question asked by John Willett on Dec 27, 2014
Latest reply on Jan 13, 2015 by Deepak Gupta

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I'm an individual user of SolidWorks Premium (new to CAD/FEA, single Windows 7 computer, no domain or design collaborations) wanting to optimize my installation the first time through. I found a useful discussion of how to install multiple versions (which I will do sooner or later) at how to install multiple versions of solidworks on one pc . Among other things, I don't understand the distinction between SolidWorks Data (the Toolbox, whatever that is?) and data produced by the user.

My particular interest is to segregate all of my personal data (new materials, parts, assemblies, studies, etc., either created by me or received from a remote individual user) into a sub-directory (named for the particular SW version, as I learned from Kelvin) under Libraries\Documents\My Documents\SolidWorks_201X (or some such) in Windows 7. That way it will be automatically re-located by Windows to a disk volume of my choice. During installation, exactly how do I direct such user data to the desired location?

In general, is there a tutorial to guide someone such as myself through the installation process and help them make intelligent choices of the (custom) options? -- John Willett

P.S. -- Just moved this question from "Administration," where it wasn't getting any answers and probably did not belong -- J.W.

Deepak Gupta Jan 14, 2015 11:35 AM

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The idea behind editing the reg file was that if you want to preset the file locations before install. Then you can take a reg file which had been created on a different system or different user and modify per your needs.

I create toolbox folder based on version i.e. SW2015 toolbox, SW2014 toolbox

Overall I'm glad to hear that you've set up the locations as desired. For a safety you can keep a back copy of settings, toolbars, etc. via copy setting wizard.

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John Willett Jan 4, 2015 9:28 AM

I eventually found the "SolidWorks Installation and Administration Guide," but honestly it doesn't offer any help about custom installation on an individual computer. Aren't there any other resources out there? -- John Willett

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Deepak Gupta @ John Willett on Jan 4, 2015 10:02 AM

John,

You can set up some folders like installation files folder and toolbox folder location with the administrative image OR during installation (as there are direct options to choose these locations).

For others files locations (found under Tools > Options > File Locations) you can take advantage of reg file which is created via SOLIDWORKS copy setting wizard. What I meant is that if you have a reg file with the desired location setup, then you can setup the administrative image to use that and set the file locations as desired. The reg file can be edited via notepad even that file is from a different system

Here is post on more details about reg file: Anyone curious where the System Options are located in the registry?

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John Willett @ Deepak Gupta on Jan 13, 2015 2:00 PM

>>For others files locations (found under Tools > Options > File Locations) you can take advantage of reg file which is created via SOLIDWORKS copy setting wizard. What I meant is that if you have a reg file with the desired location setup, then you can setup the administrative image to use that and set the file locations as desired. The reg file can be edited via notepad even that file is from a different system<<

Deepak -- Thanks for the suggestion. I installed simply naming the SW and Data directories for the major version. That should take care of any problems with multiple major versions.

I **think** I understand you that I can edit the exported .REG file to put files wherever I want them. But since I can do this directly through the Tools > Options > File Locations command, I'm not sure why I would need this high-powered approach. Anyhow I've run into no problems so far with setting up a "user" template folder and saving all changes there. (I haven't tried the ToolBox yet, but some have suggested it might have to be copied in its entirety to a "user" location.

More later if I have problems... -- John Willett

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Deepak Gupta @ John Willett on Jan 14, 2015 11:35 AM

I create toolbox folder based on version i.e. SW2015 toolbox, SW2014 toolbox

Overall I'm glad to hear that you've set up the locations as desired. For a safety you can keep a back copy of settings, toolbars, etc. via copy setting wizard.

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4 Replies

John Willett Jan 4, 2015 9:28 AM
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I eventually found the "SolidWorks Installation and Administration Guide," but honestly it doesn't offer any help about custom installation on an individual computer. Aren't there any other resources out there? -- John Willett
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- Deepak Gupta @ John Willett on Jan 4, 2015 10:02 AM
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  Correct Answer
  John,
  
  You can set up some folders like installation files folder and toolbox folder location with the administrative image OR during installation (as there are direct options to choose these locations).
  
  For others files locations (found under Tools > Options > File Locations) you can take advantage of reg file which is created via SOLIDWORKS copy setting wizard. What I meant is that if you have a reg file with the desired location setup, then you can setup the administrative image to use that and set the file locations as desired. The reg file can be edited via notepad even that file is from a different system
  
  Here is post on more details about reg file: Anyone curious where the System Options are located in the registry?
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  - John Willett @ Deepak Gupta on Jan 13, 2015 2:00 PM
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    >>For others files locations (found under Tools > Options > File Locations) you can take advantage of reg file which is created via SOLIDWORKS copy setting wizard. What I meant is that if you have a reg file with the desired location setup, then you can setup the administrative image to use that and set the file locations as desired. The reg file can be edited via notepad even that file is from a different system<<
    
    Deepak -- Thanks for the suggestion. I installed simply naming the SW and Data directories for the major version. That should take care of any problems with multiple major versions.
    
    I **think** I understand you that I can edit the exported .REG file to put files wherever I want them. But since I can do this directly through the Tools > Options > File Locations command, I'm not sure why I would need this high-powered approach. Anyhow I've run into no problems so far with setting up a "user" template folder and saving all changes there. (I haven't tried the ToolBox yet, but some have suggested it might have to be copied in its entirety to a "user" location.
    
    More later if I have problems... -- John Willett
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    - Deepak Gupta @ John Willett on Jan 14, 2015 11:35 AM
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      Correct Answer
      The idea behind editing the reg file was that if you want to preset the file locations before install. Then you can take a reg file which had been created on a different system or different user and modify per your needs.
      
      I create toolbox folder based on version i.e. SW2015 toolbox, SW2014 toolbox
      
      Overall I'm glad to hear that you've set up the locations as desired. For a safety you can keep a back copy of settings, toolbars, etc. via copy setting wizard.
      Like • Show 1 Like1
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