Solidworks 2021 | Portable

| Claim | Reality | |-------|---------| | “No installation required” | Modified installer that writes registry anyway, or uses a pre-installed virtualized snapshot. | | “Run from USB drive” | Requires admin rights to load drivers/services. | | “Full features” | Often stripped of Simulation, PDM, or eDrawings. | | “Cracked license” | Uses patched DLLs, keygens, or bypassed FlexNet — all illegal. |

| Solution | Portability | Legality | |----------|-------------|----------| | SolidWorks installed on a laptop | Full (but requires installation) | Legal with license | | Remote Desktop (RDP) to workstation | Full access | Legal | | Cloud-based CAD (Onshape, Fusion 360) | True portable (browser) | Free/paid tiers | | Virtual machine (VMware) with SolidWorks | Portable but needs license per VM | Legal if host licensed | | SolidWorks Student Edition (annual low cost) | Full but non-commercial | Legal | solidworks 2021 portable