The "SOLIDWORKS host file block install" issue typically occurs when the Windows prevents the SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager from communicating with activation or download servers. This block can manifest as a blank installation screen , connection errors, or activation failures. Understanding the Role of the Hosts File
Scroll to the bottom of the document. Look for any entries containing the words solidworks , dassault , ://solidworks.com , or generic licensing terms paired with local IP addresses ( 127.0.0.1 ). Common blocked lines look similar to this:
The Windows hosts file is a local plain-text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses, bypassing the standard DNS. solidworks host file block install
If you want to allow the installation of SolidWorks, simply remove the entries you added to the hosts file.
SolidWorks, like most modern professional software, includes built-in telemetry, license validation, and update-checking routines. During a standard installation, the SolidWorks Installation Manager (SWIM) attempts to connect to various servers owned by Dassault Systèmes. These connections serve several legitimate purposes: The "SOLIDWORKS host file block install" issue typically
Block all traffic to/from Dassault Systèmes ASN ranges at the network level.
127.0.0.1 ://solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 ://solidworks.com 127.0.0.1 sw://solidworks.com Use code with caution. Look for any entries containing the words solidworks
You might have a valid license key, yet the installation fails. Here is why admins use the host file block during installation: