By blocking activation servers, you are technically circumventing a technical limitation—even if you own a perpetual license. In the event of an audit (Dassault is known for aggressive BSA audits), a modified hosts file is a red flag. Keep your purchase receipts handy.
Even after saving the file, Windows may temporarily store the old blocked routes in its local network cache. You must clear this cache to apply the changes immediately.
: If the IP address of your license server changes, the hardcoded entry in the hosts file will prevent SOLIDWORKS from launching until the file is manually updated.
In corporate or managed enterprise environments, blocking policies are often handled at the hardware router or hardware firewall level rather than the local hosts file. If the local hosts file is clean but connections still fail, the network administrator may need to whitelist the following domains: ://solidworks.com ://solidworks.com ://solidworks.com Re-running the SolidWorks Installer solidworks host file block install
Verifying that your hosts file modifications are functioning correctly involves two simple methods.
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 .
: Add a new line at the bottom of the file following this format: [Server IP Address] [Server Hostname] 192.168.1.50 MyPDMVaultServer : Save the file and close Notepad. GoEngineer Other Common Installation Blocks If you are seeing a blank white screen Even after saving the file, Windows may temporarily
For admins running the license manager on Ubuntu/CentOS:
user wants a long article about using the hosts file to block SolidWorks installation and activation. I need to gather comprehensive information: how it works, step-by-step instructions for different Windows versions, verification, common issues, alternatives like firewall blocks, legality, and troubleshooting. I will search using both English and Simplified Chinese terms. search results have provided some relevant information. Result 2 from ugsnx.com appears to be a post about blocking SolidWorks background networking using the hosts file. Result 8 from bilibili.com might be a video about disabling SolidWorks networking. Result 5 from goengineer.com discusses creating a local hosts file for SOLIDWORKS PDM. Result 3 from swbbsc.com might be about blocking SolidWorks background networking. Result 1 from mp.weixin.qq.com could be an installation guide for SolidWorks 2025. I need to open these to gather more detailed information. opened pages have provided some useful information. The ugsnx.com post lists some domains to block: im.solidworks.com, crashdiag.solidworks.com, performance.solidworks.com. The bilibili.com page describes how to block SolidWorks networking using Windows Firewall inbound and outbound rules. The goengineer.com article explains how to modify the hosts file for SOLIDWORKS PDM, which is a similar concept. The swbbsc.com page seems to be a discussion thread but doesn't provide detailed content. The mp.weixin.qq.com page appears to be an installation guide for SolidWorks 2025 that includes steps like disabling internet access. I need to search for more specific information, such as a list of SolidWorks license servers to block, legal and ethical considerations, and troubleshooting tips. search results have provided a good amount of information. I have found a list of domains to block, steps to modify the hosts file, alternative methods like firewall rules, and some troubleshooting tips. I also have information on legal risks. Now I need to structure a long article. The article will cover: introduction, how the hosts file works, step-by-step guide, list of servers to block, verification, common issues and troubleshooting, alternatives, legal and ethical considerations, and a conclusion. I will cite the sources appropriately. have gathered information from various sources. Now I need to write a comprehensive article. The article will cover the following sections: introduction, understanding the hosts file, step-by-step guide, list of servers to block, verifying the block, common issues and troubleshooting, alternative methods, legal and ethical considerations, and conclusion. I will cite the sources I have found.ing a program’s online verification, a process known colloquially as "phone-home," is often a critical step in certain technical processes. For users of SolidWorks, a leading 3D CAD design software, this typically involves editing the Windows Hosts file to block communication with specific activation servers. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of this process, from the fundamental theory to detailed, step-by-step instructions for various Windows operating systems.
You cannot edit this file with Notepad normally due to Windows security. By adding a specific entry
The "solidworks host file block install" technique is a powerful yet often misunderstood tool. When used correctly, it can be a legitimate method for troubleshooting network issues, particularly with PDM or network license servers. However, its most common use cases are often associated with risky, illegal activities. Always prioritize using a legitimate SOLIDWORKS license and deploying a robust firewall for network control. This guide provides the knowledge to use the Hosts file effectively and safely, enabling you to diagnose issues confidently while understanding and respecting the legal boundaries of the software's license agreement.
Newer versions of SolidWorks (2023 onward, cloud-connected) require periodic online checks. If you block the host file, the software may refuse to launch entirely, displaying: "Unable to connect to the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform."
This priority gives you, the user, absolute control over name resolution for your machine. By adding a specific entry, you can tell your computer to look for the domain of a license server at a completely different address—such as your own loopback address ( 127.0.0.1 ). In the context of activation blocking, you are essentially tricking your computer into thinking the activation server is your own local machine, which doesn't know how to respond, thereby effectively "blocking" the connection.