Do not use Notepad shortcuts. Go directly to: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts Note: There is no file extension. It is just called hosts .
: Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc . Modify Security : Right-click the hosts file and select Properties . Go to the Security tab and click Edit .
Right-click on the Notepad application from the search results.
Right-click the blocking rule and select or Delete . solidworks host file block fix
Check the SolidWorks official forums or your local reseller for legitimate network licensing support.
Scroll down to the bottom of the document. Standard Windows entries usually stop after lines explaining localhost mappings with # symbols.
To help narrow down any remaining connection or activation issues, please let me know: Do not use Notepad shortcuts
If you are a SolidWorks user, you may have encountered frustrating licensing errors that prevent you from starting the software, particularly in corporate environments or when dealing with node-locked licenses. One of the most effective, yet technical, solutions for troubleshooting these issues is the .
By far the most common cause. If a computer previously hosted an unauthorized or cracked version of SolidWorks (such as those bundled with "SSQ" or "SolidSquad" activators), the crack script automatically modifies the Windows Hosts file. It does this deliberately to prevent the illegal software from "phoning home" to Dassault Systèmes and getting flagged. If you later try to install a legitimate, legal license on that same machine, the old blocks remain and break the official activation process. Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the SolidWorks Hosts File Block
: At the bottom of the file, add a new line with the server's IP address, a tab or space, and then the server name. 192.168.1.50 MyPDMSERVER Save and Flush DNS : Save the file, then open a Command Prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns to apply the changes immediately. GoEngineer 2. Resolving "Access Denied" or Blocked Changes If you cannot save the file or it keeps resetting, check these common blocks: Antivirus Interference : Security software like SentinelOne often locks the file to prevent malware. : Navigate to C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
To resolve the block, you must open the hosts file as an administrator, locate the blocking entries, and remove them. Step 1: Open Notepad as Administrator
: Receiving "Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS" or "License server is down" messages.
There are two primary reasons these blocks appear in a workstation's Hosts file:
This guide will explain what a hosts file is, why it might be blocking SolidWorks, and how to edit it to fix activation or license server connection issues. What is a Hosts File and Why Does it Affect SolidWorks?
You added the lines, but SolidWorks still gives you an error. Here is why.