This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
The file must not have an extension (e.g., hosts.txt will not work). Solidworks Host File Block
Right-click the hosts file > Properties. Ensure "Read-only" is unchecked before saving. This public link is valid for 7 days
The IT lead, Sarah, realized the issue wasn't the software—it was the Windows Host File . This file acts like a local phone book; if it has an entry for a name (like ://apex.com ), Windows won't even bother checking the internet or the network router. It just goes to the address listed in that "book." The "Block" and the Fix Can’t copy the link right now
: By default, Notepad only looks for .txt files. Change the file type dropdown in the bottom right from Text Documents (*.txt) to All Files ( . ) to see the "hosts" file.
If you cannot afford SolidWorks at all, Onshape (owned by the same company) has a free tier that runs in your browser. No host file blocking required.