Error Cannot Initialize Library Solidworks 2012 May 2026

Run these commands one by one. Ignore errors about missing entry points – some DLLs are not self-registering.

regsvr32 swactwiz.dll
regsvr32 swloaders.dll
regsvr32 swdocumentmgr.dll
regsvr32 swshell.dll
regsvr32 swregsvr.dll
regsvr32 swu.dll
regsvr32 swwindowsextension.dll
regsvr32 DllUninstaller.exe
regsvr32 swmsgs.dll

Hold down the Ctrl key while launching SolidWorks. When prompted, choose Skip all add-ins. If the error disappears, a specific add-in (e.g., PhotoView 360, Toolbox, or a third-party plugin like CAMWorks) is corrupted. Disable them permanently from Tools → Add-ins. error cannot initialize library solidworks 2012

Download Dependency Walker (dependencywalker.com). Open sw.dll or sldworks.exe from the SolidWorks folder. It will highlight missing or delayed-load DLLs in red. Focus on yellow question marks – those indicate failed library loading. Run these commands one by one

Launch SolidWorks 2012. It will create a fresh registry key and folder using default settings. If the error is gone, it was a corrupt setting file. (You can migrate your macros and sheet formats from the "_Old" folders later). Hold down the Ctrl key while launching SolidWorks

Open Command Prompt as Admin and run:

cd "C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidWorks"
regsvr32 sldshellutils.dll
regsvr32 sldworkslib.dll
regsvr32 swloadersw.dll

(Adjust path if installed elsewhere)