Uninstall any existing instances of or SolidNetwork License Manager.

SolidWorks 2018 is not officially supported on Windows 11.

: Always back up your registry before making changes, as this resets all user settings. Force Local Activation :

: Traces of older or newer license instances prevent the local server tool from executing hooks correctly. Step-by-Step Fixes for Error 6

Are you attempting this installation on , and have you already tried disabling your antivirus during the process?

: A primary driver for installation errors in older SolidWorks versions (pre-2021) is the presence of a newer version of Visual Basic for Applications (VBA 7.1)

: The script cannot modify critical keys under the HKLM\SYSTEM paths due to User Account Control (UAC) constraints.

before running the activator to prevent it from trying to reach official activation servers. Verify File Path

: In your SSQ activator folder, find the SolidWorks_Flexnet_Server folder. Inside, run server_remove.bat as an administrator to delete the old license service.

Your antivirus is often the silent saboteur in this process. These programs are designed to stop threats, and unofficial activators can easily be flagged as "hack tools" or "potentially unwanted programs," even when they are safe. That's why disabling them before starting is so important. Remember to re-enable them after you've successfully activated SolidWorks.

: Installing software containing newer macro environments blocks legacy deployment tools trying to inject older script dependencies.

: Newer Windows updates may have changed how background services like the FNPLicensingService64.exe are managed, causing legacy activators to fail during service creation.

Follow these steps . Do not skip unless you are certain a step does not apply.

Whether you have currently or previously installed on this computer.

For more experienced users, these steps can help diagnose the issue.