Host File Block: Solidworks

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Bypassing software licensing agreements (piracy) is illegal and violates SolidWorks’ Terms of Service. This guide is intended for legitimate users who wish to prevent unauthorized external communication from a licensed copy or for network administrators managing firewalls.

Disclaimer

This guide is for educational and network administration purposes only. Modifying system files can cause instability. Always ensure you have a valid SolidWorks license and adhere to the SolidWorks End-User License Agreement (EULA).

1. Malware disguised as a "Patch"

Many websites that provide "SolidWorks host file lines" also provide a Patch.exe or SolidSQUAD loader. These executables are frequently bundled with: Solidworks Host File Block

Keyloggers: To steal your design IP.
Cryptominers: To use your GPU (which SolidWorks loves) to mine cryptocurrency.
Ransomware: To lock your CAD files.

4. Onshape (Free Tier)

If you cannot afford SolidWorks at all, Onshape (owned by the same company) has a free tier that runs in your browser. No host file blocking required.

Procedure

Locate the Hosts file:
```
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
```
Open as Administrator:
- Notepad → right-click → "Run as administrator" → File → Open → navigate to etc → select "All Files" (.) → open hosts.
Add blocking entries: Append lines at the end. Example: Disclaimer This guide is for educational and network
```
# SolidWorks blocking
127.0.0.1   activation.solidworks.com
127.0.0.1   licensing.solidworks.com
```
Save the file (no extension).
Flush DNS cache (to ensure immediate effect): Save the file (no extension).
```
ipconfig /flushdns
```

Restart SolidWorks licensing services (optional but recommended):

net stop "SolidWorks Licensing Service"
net start "SolidWorks Licensing Service"