Blog: BORIS for SolidWorks - Secure Your CAD Designs

SOLIDWORKS Antivirus Guide: Is There a Certified List? Exclusions and Settings for 2026 | SolidWorks | Register and Certify IP of CAD design

2026-10-15 16:45 Guides
TL;DR: There is no current "SOLIDWORKS certified antivirus" list

SOLIDWORKS is built to run alongside mainstream antivirus software, but Dassault Systèmes does not certify or validate individual antivirus products. Pick a current, well-supported endpoint product such as Microsoft Defender, keep it updated, and add narrow exclusions for SOLIDWORKS processes and program folders only if scanning causes install errors or slowdowns. Never exclude whole project drives or CAD file types, because malicious CAD files and ransomware target exactly those files.
If you searched for a "SOLIDWORKS certified antivirus", you probably have one of two problems: SOLIDWORKS got slow or unstable after an antivirus update, or IT asked which product is "approved". This guide answers both. It explains what SOLIDWORKS actually says about antivirus software, which exclusions resellers recommend, and how to speed things up without opening a hole in your defences.

Is There a SOLIDWORKS Certified Antivirus?

No. SOLIDWORKS certifies graphics cards and drivers, which is where the word "certified" usually comes from, but it does not certify antivirus software. Its guidance says SOLIDWORKS products are developed to work with antivirus applications in general, while it is not feasible to validate every antivirus and security product. Instead, it asks you to use a trusted product, keep it and its definitions up to date, and check the SOLIDWORKS knowledge base or your reseller if you see install or runtime errors.
Some older pages still show a list of antivirus products that were "tested" with SOLIDWORKS. That list dates from around 2009 and 2010 and covers versions nobody runs today, so treat it as history, not a recommendation. Current requirements for Windows, hardware and graphics are on the SOLIDWORKS system requirements page.

Which Antivirus Works Best With SOLIDWORKS?

Any current, mainstream endpoint protection product can work well, including Microsoft Defender, which is built into Windows. What matters is how it is set up. Use these criteria when you choose or review one:
  • Exclusions by process, not only by folder. You want to tell it to trust sldworks.exe instead of switching off scanning for a whole drive.
  • Central management. IT should push the same SOLIDWORKS exclusions to every CAD workstation, so one machine does not behave differently.
  • Low overhead on file open and save. SOLIDWORKS reads and writes many referenced files at once, so real-time scanning cost adds up on large assemblies.
  • Ransomware protection. Look for behaviour-based detection and controlled folder access, because CAD drawings are now a ransomware target.
  • Clear logs. When something is blocked, you need to see which process and file were involved.

SOLIDWORKS Antivirus Exclusions: Processes, Folders and Files

Resellers agree that exclusions are usually not needed. Add them only when scanning causes installation errors, crashes or clear slowdowns, and only with your IT team's approval. These are the ones most often recommended:
ExclusionExampleWhen to use it
Main processessldworks.exe, sldworks_fs.exe, swShellFileLauncher.exeSlow open and save, add-ins that fail to load, crashes traced to scanning
Program foldersC:\Program Files\SOLIDWORKS Corp and C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKSInstaller or service pack fails, or the antivirus quarantines SOLIDWORKS files
Shared components (2024 and later)C:\Program Files\Common Files\SOLIDWORKS Shared, where swShellFileLauncher.exe now livesSame as above, on newer releases
SOLIDWORKS PDM clientThe local vault view folderCheck-in, check-out or Get Latest is slow
SOLIDWORKS PDM serverArchive folders and SQL Server data and log filesServer performance drops during scans
Network licensing (firewall, not antivirus)SolidNetWork License ports 25734 and 25735 by defaultClients cannot reach the license server

How to add SOLIDWORKS exclusions in Microsoft Defender

  1. Open Windows Security and go to Virus & threat protection.
  2. Under Virus & threat protection settings, select Manage settings.
  3. Scroll to Exclusions and select Add or remove exclusions.
  4. Choose Process and enter sldworks.exe, then repeat for the other processes you need.
  5. Restart SOLIDWORKS and test again. In a managed company, ask IT to set the same exclusions through central policy instead.

How to Tell if Antivirus Is Slowing SOLIDWORKS

Typical signs are files that open fast once and slowly the next time, saves that hang on network folders, add-ins that disappear, an installer that rolls back, and PDM check-ins that crawl. Antivirus is only one possible cause. A slow graphics driver, a network drive or too little RAM look very similar, so check our guide on how to make SOLIDWORKS run faster as well. To test the antivirus properly, work through these steps:

Security Settings Compared: Speed Versus Risk

Every exclusion is a blind spot. This table shows the trade-off for the usual options:
SettingEffect on SOLIDWORKS speedSecurity trade-offVerdict
Full real-time scanning, no exclusionsSlowest on big assemblies and network foldersBest coverageFine for light use
Process exclusions for SOLIDWORKSMost of the speed backFiles opened by SOLIDWORKS are not scanned at that momentRecommended first step
Program folder exclusionsFixes install and update problemsSmall, if the folders are write-protectedUse when installs fail
Excluding CAD file types (*.sldprt, *.sldasm) everywhereFastMalicious or encrypted CAD files go unseenAvoid
Turning antivirus offFastNo protection at allNever
Scheduled full scans out of hoursNo daytime impactCatches what real-time exclusions missUse alongside exclusions

Don't Trade Security for Speed

CAD files are attractive to attackers. Ransomware groups now list stolen CAD drawings as loot, as we described in ransomware groups targeting CAD drawings, and specially crafted design files have been used to exploit CAD software, as CADChain explains in its guide to malicious CAD files. So keep exclusions narrow, keep scanning email, downloads and USB drives, and back them with the other layers in our endpoint protection guide for CAD workstations and CAD security checklist.
Antivirus protects the workstation. It does not prove who designed a part or when. If a design leaks or ends up in a dispute, you need evidence of authorship. Our overview of third-party security tools for SOLIDWORKS shows how the layers fit together.
Prove you own your SOLIDWORKS designs

BORIS for SOLIDWORKS registers your parts and assemblies on a blockchain, so you get a dated certificate of ownership without leaving SOLIDWORKS.

👉 Try BORIS for SOLIDWORKS

Conclusion

There is no SOLIDWORKS certified antivirus to buy. Use a current, well-managed product, measure before you change anything, and add the smallest set of exclusions that fixes the problem: SOLIDWORKS processes first, program folders next, and never whole drives or CAD file types. Document what you changed and review it after each SOLIDWORKS upgrade, because process names and install paths do move, as swShellFileLauncher.exe did in 2024.

FAQ on SOLIDWORKS and Antivirus Software

Does SOLIDWORKS have a list of certified antivirus software?

No. SOLIDWORKS certifies graphics hardware and drivers, not antivirus products. It states that its software is developed to work with antivirus applications in general but cannot validate every product.

Is Windows Defender good enough for SOLIDWORKS?

Yes, for most teams. Microsoft Defender works with SOLIDWORKS, and you can add process exclusions for sldworks.exe and related processes if scanning slows file access. Companies usually manage it centrally so every CAD workstation gets the same settings.

Which SOLIDWORKS processes should I exclude from antivirus scanning?

Resellers most often list sldworks.exe, sldworks_fs.exe and swShellFileLauncher.exe. Add them only if scanning causes errors or slowdowns, and with your IT team's approval.

Should I disable antivirus to install SOLIDWORKS?

Only if the installer fails and your IT policy allows it. Pause real-time scanning for the installation, turn it back on straight after, and add program folder exclusions if updates keep failing.

Can antivirus software corrupt SOLIDWORKS files?

It can interfere with saves, especially on network folders, by locking a file while SOLIDWORKS writes it. Process exclusions and saving locally usually fix this. Keep versioned backups or PDM history in any case, as explained in our guide to recovering previous versions of CAD files.

Does SOLIDWORKS PDM need antivirus exclusions?

Sometimes. If check-in or Get Latest is slow, resellers suggest excluding the local vault view on clients and the archive and SQL Server data folders on the server. Set this up with your PDM administrator and see our SOLIDWORKS PDM security configuration guide.

Is it safe to exclude .sldprt and .sldasm files from scanning?

It is not recommended. Excluding CAD file types everywhere means a malicious or ransomware-encrypted CAD file can sit on your drives unseen. Exclude processes and program folders instead.