When users talk about a "SolidWorks Host File Block," they mean adding lines that redirect SolidWorks’ license validation servers to 127.0.0.1 (your local machine) or 0.0.0.0 (a null address).
Essentially, you are telling your computer: "When SolidWorks tries to phone home to verify its license, don't let it leave this machine." Solidworks Host File Block
In a typical piracy tutorial, you will see lines like this: When users talk about a "SolidWorks Host File
127.0.0.1 localhost
0.0.0.0 solidworks.com
0.0.0.0 licenses.solidworks.com
0.0.0.0 register.solidworks.com
0.0.0.0 activation.solidworks.com
0.0.0.0 geometricglobal.com
0.0.0.0 solidworkslicense.com
Navigate to:
C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
Note: There is no file extension (like .txt). In a typical piracy tutorial, you will see
If you are a system administrator needing to block outbound connections for a legitimate reason, here is the standard procedure.
Legitimate users get security patches. If you block the host file, you block those patches. Vulnerabilities in older versions of SolidWorks have been used as entry points for corporate espionage.
| Issue | Description | |-------|-------------| | EULA violation | Legitimate licenses risk deactivation or legal action. | | Blocked updates | Service packs, hotfixes, and new versions won't download or install. | | Cloud/3DEXPERIENCE features break | Collaboration, cloud storage, and online help fail. | | Subscription validation fails | Term-based licenses (e.g., annual) cannot check renewal status. | | Hosts file tampering detection | Some SolidWorks versions check the Hosts file integrity on launch. | | Windows Defender / AV flags | Modern antivirus detects and reverts Hosts file modifications for known software. | | SSL certificate errors | If the app expects HTTPS but gets localhost, cryptic SSL errors may appear. |