A recent Windows update has caused issues with the windows installer that can corrupt a SOLIDWORKS install. This only occurs if you have windows update KB 3072630 and then perform an service pack upgrade or new installation of SOLIDWORKS. This update needs to be removed or temporarily disabled before performing an upgrade or new install.
SOLIDWORKS development are currently working alongside Microsoft towards resolving this issue however in the meantime if you need to do an install or upgrade you first need to check if update KB 3072630 is installed and if so follow the solutions below.
First to check if the update is installed on your computer Navigate to the Windows Control Panel -> Choose Programs and Features Select “View Installed Updates”
Search for KB3072630 (no spaces)
If this update is installed it should either be removed before installing/ upgrading SOLIDWORKS or temporarily disabled which is described later in this blog post and then re-enabled after the install has been performed.
Before upgrading/ Installing make sure you either carry out steps 1-6 for individual installs below or uninstall the windows update before upgrading/installing.
What if I have already performed an upgrade?
Don’t Panic! If you have recently performed an upgrade or recent install then you should check to see if you have any of the below problems. If so there is a process to resolve the issues. The solution to fix each of these symptoms/ problems is the same, although you may wish to contact your IT support for assistance in performing the fix. Note you may not have/ notice all of the below problems.
Symptom 1 After my installation or upgrade of SOLIDWORKS®, why are many SOLIDWORKS add-ins missing from my add-ins list?
Symptom 2. When launching SOLIDWORKS® or opening a file, why does SOLIDWORKS return"Could not load SOLIDWORKS DLL: GdtAnalysisSupport.dll"?
Symptom
3 When recording, playing, or editing a SOLIDWORKS® Macro, why does
SOLIDWORKS crash?
Symptom 4 Opening files with equations, or creating new equations fails to compute. You may also need to install VBA 7.0 again from the DVD \Prereqs folder.
Symptom 5 DWG document manager library is invalid or missing" error seen when launching SOLIDWORKS® or SOLIDWORKS® Explorer?
Symptom 6- SOLIDWORKS Treehouse crashes on opening
Symptom 7- Equations stop working
Symptom 8- Tooltips disappear from Command Manager icons.
Solution for any/all of the above
If you have any or all of the above symptoms and your upgrade or install was performed after July 15th, 2015 the most likely explanation is a known conflict caused by Microsoft® update KB 3072630 which was released on July 15th, 2015.
This update makes changes to the Windows Installer. To address this problem, try the following steps with your IT department’s assistance if required. Editing the windows registry is safe when done properly, however incorrect editing could cause further problems, if in doubt consult IT support. Essentially the solution below will temporarily disable and then re-enable this Windows update.
Standalone (Individual) installs
If you installed from a disc/download then follow the steps below; To simplify the process there are two registry files that can be run before and after a repair/ reinstall of SOLIDWORKS
1.Download RunBeforeRepair_disable_KB3072630.reg.txt (Right click Save as)
2.Remove the .txt from the end of the file, click yes to the warning about renaming the file extension
3. Double click on the file “RunBeforeRepair_disable_KB3072630.reg to add the registry entries to your system (note you can see the entries that are modified in the manual process at the end of this blog post)
4.Click “Run when prompted to allow the entries to run ( you may also get prompted for admin permissions/ password depending on your user account settings)
5.At the next warning prompt click“yes” to allow the entries to be added,
you should get a message to say they have been successfully added.
6.Navigate to Windows Control Panel -> Programs and Features
7.Select SOLIDWORKS and choose “Change” (you may also need the original disc/download for the repair)
8.Select the option to run a repair of your SOLIDWORKS Installation
9.After the application installs successfully, reboot and check that any previous errors are solved
10.We can now renable the Windows update KB3072630
11. To do this, Download RunAfterRepair_enable_KB3072630.reg.txt (Right click Save as)
12. Remove the .TXT from the end of the file
13. Run using the same process as Steps 3-5
Administrative Image installs
If you installed from an administrative image follow these steps;
1.Uninstall SOLIDWORKS from Programs and Features. (note if this fails try step 3-7 first then retry the uninstall process)
2.Download RunBeforeRepair_disable_KB3072630.reg.txt (Right click Save as)
3.Remove the .txt from the end of the file.
4.Double click on the file“RunBeforeRepair_disable_KB3072630.reg to add the registry entries to your system (note you can see the entries that are modified in the manual process at the end of this blog post) 5. Click “Run when prompted to allow the entries to run ( you may also get prompted for admin permissions/ password depending on your user account settings)
6.At the next warning prompt click “yes” to allow the entries to be added, you should get a message to say they have been successfully added.
7.Reinstall SOLIDWORKS from your administrative image.
8. After the application installs successfully, we can re-enable the Windows update KB3072630
9. To do this, Download RunAfterRepair_enable_KB3072630.reg.txt
10. Remove the .TXT from the end of the file
11. Run using the same process as Steps 3-5
Note until a fix is released if you wish to upgrade you may have to disable this update we will publish updated information as we get it from SOLIDWORKS.
Should you need further help please contact our support team on 01926 333777
Manual Process
If you would prefer to add the entries to the registry manually, process to add these registry entries is below This is only required if NOT using the files above
To Disable Windows Update KB3072630
1.Click'Start', click 'Run', type "regedit" in the 'Open' box, and then click 'OK'.
2.Locate and click the following subkey in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer Note: If this subkey does not exist, create it.
3. In the 'Edit' menu, point to 'New', and then click 'DWORD Value'.
4.For the DWORD name, type"RemappedElevatedProxiesPolicy", and then press 'Enter'.
5.Right-click"RemappedElevatedProxiesPolicy", and then click 'Modify'.
6.In the 'Value' data box, type 1, and then click 'OK'.
To Re-enable Windows Update KB3072630
1. Click'Start', click 'Run', type "regedit" in the 'Open' box, and then click 'OK'.
2. Locate and click the following subkey in the registry: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Installer Note: If this subkey does not exist, create it.
3.In the 'Edi't menu, point to 'New', and then click 'DWORD Value'.
4.For the DWORD name, type"RemappedElevatedProxiesPolicy", and then press 'Enter'.
5.Right-click"RemappedElevatedProxiesPolicy", and then click 'Modify'.
6.In the 'Value' data box, type 0, and then click 'OK'.
Note until a fix is released if you wish to upgrade you may have to disable this update we will publish updated information as we get it from SOLIDWORKS.
Alan Sweetenham
Elite Applications Engineer.