Before you hit save on that hosts file, consider the risks.
It is important to note that editing the hosts file to bypass license validation, or to prevent a non-activated copy of SOLIDWORKS from "phoning home," is a form of software piracy. SOLIDWORKS is proprietary commercial software developed by Dassault Systèmes.
Understanding the Role of the Hosts File in SolidWorks Installs
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If you want to allow the installation of SolidWorks, simply remove the entries you added to the hosts file.
"You shall not... attempt to circumvent the technical limitations of the Software."
The Windows (located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\ ) acts as a local map that translates server names into IP addresses. During installation or when setting up SOLIDWORKS PDM, the software may need to verify server connections. If your security software "locks" this file, the Installation Manager may fail or display errors. 1. Resolving Security Software Blocks solidworks host file block install
Click > Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall .
This method ensures that even if the software resolves the domain name correctly, it cannot transmit the data out of your machine.
Understanding how to identify, modify, and resolve these hosts file conflicts ensures a smooth installation process. Understanding the Role of the Hosts File Before you hit save on that hosts file, consider the risks
You didn't run Notepad as administrator. Fix: Close Notepad. Re-open via Right-Click > Run as Admin. Repeat the process.
However, in specific scenarios—such as air-gapped environments, legacy software maintenance, or controlled testing labs—users or IT administrators may wish to during or immediately after installation. The most direct, zero-cost, and operating-system-native method is editing the hosts file .
There may be several reasons why you want to block the installation of SolidWorks on a computer: Understanding the Role of the Hosts File in