Access Keys:
Skip to content (Access Key - 0)

Q: How do I use MIT's SolidWorks License while traveling or off the network?

On this page:

The student version of SolidWorks is activated at the time of installation and does NOT need to be connected to the network after that. This article only applies to the Faculty/Staff SolidWorks Network License.

Faculty and staff have two options for using SolidWorks when not connected to the MIT network.

Option 1 - Connect through MIT's VPN

If you are connecting from home or somewhere else that has a network connection (even a slow one) you can access the SolidWorks license by first connecting through MIT's VPN.

Option 2 - Borrow a license for up to 30 days

If you will not have reliable network access, such as when flying on a plane, and need to run SolidWorks, you can borrow a license from the license server. If you are already away from campus, you can still borrow a license after connecting through MIT's VPN. When you know you will need this, it is a best practice to do this prior to being off the MIT network, preferably with a wired connection.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to borrow the "Premium" version, and any add-on licenses you will need so you can run the Simulations and other tools while away from campus.

  1. Select the SolidWorks licenses you need, e.g. SOLIDWORKS Premium (at the end of the list)
  2. Confirm selection of Premium - there is no reason to borrow only a Standard license and it may cause problems.
  3. If you need to add additional licenses for the add-ons, you can select each of those (or select multiple with Ctrl-clicking) and then click Borrow >.
  4. Once they appear in the Borrowed product licenses section, you have the license local on that machine and you will not need to be on the network or be connected to MIT via the VPN.
  5. These licenses will automatically expire, but if you are not finding it did, then follow the optional "Check-in" process for your version listed in the links below.

SolidWorks 2014

SolidWorks 2015

SolidWorks 2016

SolidWorks 2017

SolidWorks 2018

SolidWorks 2019

SolidWorks 2020

SolidWorks 2021

For additional help, please see the SolidWork Support site and the resources offered there.

IS&T Contributions

Documentation and information provided by IS&T staff members


Last Modified:

March 08, 2021

Get Help

Request help
from the Help Desk
Report a security incident
to the Security Team
Labels:
solidworks solidworks Delete
c-solidworks c-solidworks Delete
Enter labels to add to this page:
Please wait 
Looking for a label? Just start typing.
Feedback
This product/service is:
Easy to use
Average
Difficult to use

This article is:
Helpful
Inaccurate
Obsolete
Adaptavist Theme Builder (4.2.3) Powered by Atlassian Confluence 3.5.13, the Enterprise Wiki