Resetting SolidWorks Windows registry entry

If you have problems with SolidWorks like not loading, missing toolbars, poor performance or other bizarre issues try this process. Ensure you follow this instructions exactly as you will be modifying register entries which can cause you computer to go boom!  

1. Close all instances of SolidWorks.

2. Save copy of you SolidWorks settings.

3. Click 'start', search 'regedit', open it.

4. Navigate to 'HKEY_CURRENT_USER' then 'Software'

5. Locate 'Solidworks' folder and rename to 'Solidworks_1'

6. Launch SolidWorks - will open with all settings as default.

How to undo this operation

If the problem you were experiencing is gone, great!  If not, and you want to undo what you just did, no problem, that’s why we only renamed the SolidWorks entry and didn’t delete it. Simply go back into Registry Editor and rename the new SolidWorks entry (again best not to delete it until you are sure everything is back exactly as before) then name the old one back to SolidWorks. If the issue is fixed you are now left with essentially a fresh copy of SolidWorks, meaning any customization you have performed will be lost.

Restoring SolidWorks Custom Settings

However, if you have made a copy of your custom SolidWorks settings then you will be able to re-import these after the reset has been performed. DO NOT, however, perform the Copy Settings operation when you are already experiencing issues, this will just copy the old problems back into the registry.  Make a back-up of your settings when everything is working correctly and save the resulting .SLDREG file in a safe location. This way performing a reset of the SolidWorks registry in the future will be an easy and quick procedure with no time consuming side effects.