If you are having trouble transferring your SolidWorks program to your new Vista machine, you are not alone. Most of the newer SolidWorks applications will allow you to set up the program on Windows Vista. However many new Vista users are unable to use their existing software license.

Obtain Your License

Return to your old computer and go into SolidWorks. Inside the program, go to Help and then Transfer Licenses. Make sure the old computer is hooked up to the Internet. Click "OK" to send your licensing back to SolidWorks. When you return to the installation of SolidWorks on your new machine, inputting your serial number will now allow you to move forward in the installation. This is because your licensing is no longer in use. If you cannot transfer the license, you will have to contact Dassault Systemes SolidWorks and query the company about how to retrieve your license for use on the new computer. You may very well have to buy a new license which includes the newest version of the software.

Buy a New License

If you plan to use SolidWorks on both your new and your old computer, you need to buy a new license. There is no way to use your license on both computers, because SolidWorks views this as piracy, or the illegal copying and use of their program. A new license will come from buying the latest version of the software--there is no way to buy the license itself.

Installation

This installation is very basic; you will not run into any problems once you have received your license. Insert the disc and open the setup. You will be asked where you would like to store the program--most people use the program files on their C drive. After having either transferred your license or bought a new one, you can input your license. The installation will finish after this and upon rebooting your computer, you will be free to use SolidWorks on your Vista operating system.

Source:

Fisher/Unitech: How to put SolidWorks on a new computer

Solid Smack: Using SolidWorks on Vista