DraftSight Clean Reinstall Guide

Summary

Learn to completely remove leftover files and registry entries before reinstalling DraftSight.

Performing the following steps reinstalls DraftSight "cleanly" and removes registry entries and files that are normally left behind after uninstalling DraftSight.

This procedure can be useful when troubleshooting a problematic client system and you want to make sure that there is no old or mismatched information causing the problem.

This procedure requires changes to the Windows Registry. Incorrect changes to the Windows Registry can cause installed applications or Windows to fail. Use caution when making changes to the Windows Registry or have an IT professional make these changes for you.

Clean Reinstall of DraftSight Process

Log into Windows with user that has administrative/install or modify software privileges.
Uninstall DraftSight from Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features > Uninstall a program.

In Windows File Explorer, browse to the following folder:

C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Roaming\DraftSight

Note that the 'AppData' folder may be a hidden folder. You can activate it in the File Explorer under the View tab. Click Options then select the View tab and turn on Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

Rename the DraftSight folder to DraftSight_old. This returns DraftSight to a "default" state, as if it was a first-time installation on the computer. This is where your customizations are stored. You can use this folder to recover the customizations later.

Browse to the 'Dassault Systemes' folder in the installation directory. This folder typically exists under 'C:\Program Files'. Rename the Dassault Systems folder to Dassault Systems_old.

Browse to the DraftSight folder at 'C:\ProgramData\Dassault Systemes\DraftSight' and rename the DraftSight folder to DraftSight_old.

Be aware that the ProgramData folder may be a hidden folder. Note that the 'AppData' folder may be a hidden folder. You can activate it in the File Explorer under the View tab. Click Options then select the View tab and turn on Show hidden files, folders, and drives.

Open the Windows Registry Editor.

Export to back up then delete the following registry key folder.

CAUTION: Incorrect changes to the Windows Registry can cause installed applications or Windows to fail. Use caution when making changes to the Windows Registry or have an IT professional make these changes for you.

- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Dassault Systemes\DraftSight

Regedit Registry Editor

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Dassault Systemes\DraftSight

Regedit Registry Editor

Restart the computer and then log in with administrative privileges.
Download the latest version of DraftSight or contact MLC CAD Systems technical support to request previous versions of DraftSight. Note, you cannot install multiple versions of DraftSight on one computer. Only one version of DraftSight can be installed on a single computer.
Install DraftSight:

Enterprise versions (network)

There are two methods to host the DraftSight network licenses on a server: SolidNetWork License Manager (SNL) or Dassault Systèmes License Server (DSLS). SOLIDWORKS network licensing makes use of the SolidNetWork License Manager to host licenses on a server. This can be combined with DraftSight Enterprise licenses. In general SNL is easier to install and maintain vs the DSLS method.

Choose the SolidNetWork License (SNL) option and enter the SolidNetWork License manager (SNL) server when prompted. Once complete, there is no activation requirement on the client computer (activation is managed on the SNL). You are ready to use the software.

DraftSight setup screen with license options DraftSight Setup Screen