Where Does SolidWorks Store Templates and Toolbox Data?
Where SolidWorks keeps templates, Toolbox data, and user settings on Windows, and what to copy for migration.
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SolidWorks spreads files across three roots. Program Files holds the install. ProgramData holds templates, sheet formats, and the Design Library for the installed version. A separate SOLIDWORKS Data folder, often at the drive root, holds the Hole Wizard and Toolbox database. Your own parts and drawings live wherever you saved them, usually Documents or PDM.
User settings like the journal folder and registry keys sit under AppData Roaming and HKCU Software SolidWorks. Version matters here. Paths include the release year, so 2024 folders do not apply to 2025. Use the Copy Settings Wizard for migration instead of hand copying registry keys.
Where SolidWorks stores this, by platform
C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 20XX
Templates default to C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 20XX\templates. Toolbox defaults to C:\SOLIDWORKS Data. User journals sit in %appdata%\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 20XX. Replace 20XX with your year.
Frequently asked questions
How do I move SolidWorks settings to a new PC?
Copy your custom templates, Toolbox folder (often C:\SOLIDWORKS Data), and registry settings from the Copy Settings Wizard. On the new PC install the same version first, then point File Locations at the copied folders. Mixing versions without updating Toolbox causes a swbrowser.sldedb error.
Where are my SolidWorks templates actually stored?
Check System Options then File Locations. Document Templates, Sheet Formats, and Design Library each list their paths. Defaults point at ProgramData and Program Files, but most shops redirect them to a server. The dialog shows the live path, which beats guessing.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.