Top Cleanup Steps before Upgrading SolidWorks by Jeff Brausen
Following the new release of SolidWorks each year, especially after Service Pack 1 is available, many of our customers begin the process of upgrading to the new SolidWorks version. By the time the Holidays come each year, the first wave of installation-related questions have hit the help desk. Preparing for an upgrade to a new major release is not a trivial task. There are many considerations that are beyond the scope of this article. That said, I want to make recommendation to all users and administrators to do a little ‘Fall Cleaning' before making a switch to the next version of SolidWorks (or even if you aren't planning on upgrading anytime soon).
Important Note: If you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with any of these procedures, be sure and consult your IT gurus. Make sure to set a Windows restore point before any major system maintenance.
This is not an exhaustive list of maintenance tasks, just some things that I see many of our users neglecting.
With each release be sure to verify that your graphic card is tested and approved by SolidWorks. This may seam trivial, but this is the #1 support question or issue we see on our phone support. With Windows 7 you will see these updated as part of your windows updates but be sure to check anyway. Click here to check- While you're on that page, be sure and check out the "SolidWorks System Requirements" links. Each year the requirements may increase as the power and technologies are expanded.
- Clear out your Windows temporary directory:
- Start > Run > %temp%
- Most of these files can be deleted safely
- If you don't feel comfortable deleting these, run the Disk Cleanup utility in the System Tools program group.
- You may also use SolidWorksRX to do this as well.
- Defrag your hard drive. You'll find the Disk Defragmenter tool in the Windows Accessories/System Tools program group. Let this run overnight several times a year. This again, is why Windows 7 is a clear favorite of ours, because it will do this for you!
- Set Windows for "Best Performance." Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance Settings > Visual Effects > "Adjust for best performance".
- Back up all your data. For me this is a monthly process, but at least once a year save out your personal settings, Outlook data and any common files. I typically save out this data to my network, monthly. The next level of backup is using a vault to manage your data, but that’s another article.
- The Ultimate in "Cleanup" is always a re-installation of Windows. Even if you uninstall everything, it seems that over time the Windows environment just bogs down and gets what is commonly called "Bit Rot". The thought of reformatting and reinstalling scares some novice Windows users, but to most Windows Pros, it is an absolute necessity. This process will completely refresh your environment and give you optimum performance. Reinstallation requires a lot of backup and planning, but once you have a procedure in place, it isn't that bad (about a half-day’s work). Personally I keep a backup of all applications and drivers I need to install on a network location along with personal backup files.
These recommendations should keep your workstation performing better all year long. I typically will do a complete Windows re-installation every 4 to 6 months to keep my environment in top shape. Again, be sure not to get into any of these if you are uncomfortable or unfamiliar! Alignex can't replace your IT support, so make sure they are kept in the loop anytime you plan on doing any major system maintenance. You can check out this Microsoft site for some further beginner information.
Enjoy your new version of SolidWorks! As always, if you run into installation issues, please call on Alignex Support.
Jeff Brausen
Mechanical Application Engineer
Alignex, Inc.