What is the SOLIDWORKS 2008 Installation Manager?

Now that SOLIDWORKS 2008 has been released, many of you are going to download it and try it out before the new DVD’s arrive, which by the way, should be in the beginning of November. One of the first things you will encounter after proceeding to the download page at the SOLIDWORKS website is the new 2008 SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager and its capabilities. Those of you that are already familiar with SOLIDWORKS know about the 2007 Installation Manager. Here are a few things that are new about the 2008 IM.

SOLIDWORKS 2008 uses a new version of the Installation Manager and the goal here is Electronic Software Distribution. It is a Standalone application that can download, update, upgrade, install, modify and repair all SOLIDWORKS products. It can be used to create and manage admin images and standalone installs all within the same user interface. It is a different application than the 2007 Installation Manager. It does not upgrade the 2007 Installation Manager but both versions can coexist on the same machine and you will want to continue to use the 2007 Installation Manager to download service pack updates for the SOLIDWORKS 2007 Install, if you will be using more than one version of SOLIDWORKS on the same workstation at the same time.

How does it Work?

The Installation Manager downloads, verifies, and extracts all the files in parallel during the download process to create the source for all products. Once the files are downloaded, IM will install all of the products automatically. IM uses Windows Installer and installs all products silently passing the required parameters to the installations so that the installations do not have to query the user for anything.
You will specify just one file location for the installation.  This location will be used as the root folder for the installation of all the products. The IM keeps all the products under the same folder in the Startup programs list and it creates only one listing in Add/Remove Programs menu. It will be listed as SOLIDWORKS 2008 SP0.0 initially or higher depending on the service pack you are on.

Design Better!

Paul Niedermann