Click and remove "Write" and "Modify" permissions for Users. Troubleshooting Post-Block
Sometimes firewall software replicates hosts-file-style blocks within its own proprietary rulesets. Temporarily disable your third-party firewall or Windows Defender Firewall during the duration of the installation to rule out application-layer blocks. Verify the SolidWorks Licensing Service
A blocked line typically looks like this: 127.0.0.1 ://solidworks.com
The Windows hosts file ( C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts ) is often a point of failure or a necessary workaround during installation and licensing. solidworks host file block install
Blocking websites – If you want to block access to a particular website, add the hostname to a hosts file with an IP address of 0. www.masterdc.com
During installation, SolidWorks requires an active internet connection to verify your standalone serial number or connect to a SolidWorks Network License (SNL) Manager. It reaches out to secure validation URLs (such as ://solidworks.com ). How Blocks Occur
Temporarily disable your third-party firewall (e.g., Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender) during the installation process. Click and remove "Write" and "Modify" permissions for Users
From a purely functional standpoint, the method is effective. It allows a user to bypass the online check that would otherwise reject an unlicensed key or a key generated by a keygen. For educational environments or individuals learning the software for career advancement, the allure is obvious: full, unrestricted access to a professional tool without the multi-thousand-dollar price tag. It creates a frictionless learning environment, free from the 30-day trial pop-ups or the feature restrictions of the free student edition.
If SOLIDWORKS fails to launch after blocking these servers, it may be looking for a local license manager. Ensure you are pointing to your snlm server if required. To undo these changes, simply remove the added lines from the hosts file and save.
While editing the hosts file is a powerful tool, it should only be used to solve legitimate networking issues. Using a to bypass licensing is not a recommended or compliant approach. Always ensure your software is licensed and that you are using the official SolidNetWork License Manager to manage activations. Verify the SolidWorks Licensing Service A blocked line
127.0.0.1 license.solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 sw.install.solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 activation.solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 register.solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 log.solidworks.com
To block these connections, copy and paste the following text into your hosts file: