Here’s an issue that keeps popping up and I just came across it on my own machine this morning, I thought I would share in case others come across this issue as well and need a solution.
The issue presents itself in removing the ability to upgrade the service pack of SOLIDWORKS provides this very unhelpful error message. “Previous Toolbox detected. Select Installation Method.”
The issue being faced is the toolbox is either damaged, or the user lacks permissions to access the directory it’s currently stored on.
There is however a couple of very simple solutions, repair the installation of SOLIDWORKS or point SOLIDWORKS to a toolbox with the correct permissions. If the toolbox is on a network, see the change toolbox section if it’s local repair SOLIDWORKS.
To repair Solidworks first open the control panel and find Programs and Features.
Locate SOLIDWORKS in the list, right click SOLIDWORKS and then choose ‘Change’.
At this point the installation manager will open with several options for what can be changed about SOLIDWORKS. Choose “repair the individual installation”
Proceed through the windows and repair the installation of Solidworks. Once the repair is complete this should correct the issue. Try launching the upgrade again. If after this process SOLIDWORKS still cannot be upgraded. Please let our support team know so they can help get this taken care of.
If the toolbox is stored remotely write permission could be the cause of the problem. Most installations of SOLIDWORKS install a local toolbox during initial installation. It’s possible to upgrade the installation while referencing this local toolbox.
In the start menu find “Copy Settings Wizard”, It can be found at:
Start > SOLIDWORKS 20XX> Solidworks Tools > Copy Settings Wizard
Choose “Save settings”. See the example to the right for reference.
The only setting that needs to be saved is the System Options and in this example the desktop was used as the save location. Once the settings are configured click finish to create the backup file.
The next step is to change the toolbox being referenced. launch SOLIDWORKS, go to:
Tools > options, under system options find:
“HoleWizard / Toolbox.”
Click the “…” to change the file location. Solidworks by default will install a toolbox at <C:\SOLIDWORKS Data\> Change the directory so it matches the directory shown. If there are multiple toolboxes they’ll be numbered. Select the largest number.
NOTE: If you do not have a local toolbox please contact GoEngineer support.
Click ok and close SOLIDWORKS, try running the upgrade again. The upgrade should be able to complete without issue referencing the local toolbox. After upgrading though SOLIDWORKS will still reference the incorrect toolbox and needs to be directed to the network toolbox.
To fix this launch the Copy settings wizard tool used earlier. Choose “restore settings”, navigate to the location the backup was stored, then choose ‘Next’, in the following window leave the default setting of ‘Current user’. Choose next, this will restore the location of the network toolbox to SOLIDWORKS. Test the toolbox after upgrade verify it’s working correctly.
If these steps don’t correct the problem, please contact our support team they would be more than happy to help get these issues corrected.
About GoEngineer
GoEngineer delivers software, technology and expertise that enable companies to unlock design innovation and deliver better products faster. With more than 35 years' experience and tens of thousands of customers in high tech, medical, machine design, energy and other industries, GoEngineer provides best-in-class design solutions from SOLIDWORKS CAD, Stratasys 3D printing, Creaform & Artec 3D scanning, CAMWorks, PLM, Altair, and more
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