The SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard is a tool that saves and restores your SOLIDWORKS settings and customizations. It is extremely useful for transferring your setup to a new computer or restoring a known good configuration.
The table below summarizes the specific settings that are managed by the wizard.
| Setting Category | Description |
|---|---|
| System Options | General application settings like colors, performance, and file locations for templates. |
| Toolbar Layout | The position and visibility of toolbars. |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | All your custom keyboard commands. |
| Mouse Gestures | Your customized mouse gesture mappings. |
| Menu Customization | Customizations made to menu structures. |
| Saved Views | Custom view orientations saved in the graphics area. |
🛠️ How to Use the Copy Settings Wizard-:
You can access the wizard in a few ways. For the most reliable results, especially when restoring settings, it is recommended to close SOLIDWORKS first.
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From Windows Start Menu: Go to Start > SOLIDWORKS Tools 20XX > Copy Settings Wizard (or SOLIDWORKS Settings Wizard for 2023 and newer).
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From Within SOLIDWORKS: Go to the Tools menu and select Copy Settings Wizard.
Once launched, the process is straightforward:
Saving Your Settings-:
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In the wizard, select the “Save Settings” option and click Next.
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Choose which categories of settings you want to save (selecting all is standard practice). Click Browse to choose where to save the file.
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Click Finish. The wizard will create a single file with the .sldreg extension containing all your selected settings.
Restoring Your Settings-:
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In the wizard, select the “Restore Settings” option and click Next.
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Click Browse to locate and select your previously saved
.sldregfile. -
Choose which setting categories you want to restore (you can restore all or just a few). Click Next.
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Select “Current user” to apply the settings to your Windows profile, then click Next and Finish to complete the restoration.
💡 Important Notes and Best Practices-:
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New in SOLIDWORKS 2023: The tool is now called “SOLIDWORKS Settings Wizard” and includes a new “Reset Settings” option that can return SOLIDWORKS to its default state, with or without creating a backup first.
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Close SOLIDWORKS for Restoring: While you can run the wizard from inside SOLIDWORKS, some customizations may not be fully restored until the application is closed and reopened. For a guaranteed result, close SOLIDWORKS before using the wizard from the Start menu.
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What Isn’t Saved: The Copy Settings Wizard does not save document properties (like custom sheet formats), macros, or any of your actual design data or part files.
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Use Descriptive File Names: When saving your settings, use a filename that includes the SOLIDWORKS version (e.g.,
MySettings_SW2025.sldreg) to avoid confusion later. -
Troubleshooting with Selective Restoration: If you are experiencing issues, you can use the Restore function to reset only a specific category of settings (like System Options) instead of your entire configuration, which can help isolate the problem.
I hope this helps you effectively manage your SOLIDWORKS environment. If you are setting up a new computer or have run into any specific issues, feel free to ask for more detailed guidance.
