So, I installed SW2025 back when it was released, but since we’re still using SW2017 here, I’ve only used 2025 sporadically. I’m starting the prep work for upgrading everyone to 2025 and part of that is testing some custom add-ins. One of the tests (which involves files that are open in SW being renamed and moved) seemed to succeed, but when I opened the assembly, the feature tree showed the original file names, and not the renamed files. At first I thought the rename had failed, but ‘File…Find References’ showed that the files were indeed renamed, and it was just the feature tree that was ‘wrong’. Reloading the assembly didn’t fix it, nor did restating SW.
At this point I started to suspect a system or document setting and discovered this:
I thought it might be a new option, but no, it is there in SW2017 as well. However in my SW2017, the option is checked. It is entirely possible that I unchecked it at some point, but it’s also possible that SW changed the default somewhere between 2017 and 2025.
Can someone running SW2025 who doesn’t typically change too many setting from the default check that setting and report back? Then I’ll know if I have to enforce the setting when deploying the 2025 admin image to users.
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I have updated every year since around 2013, and as far as I can remember that has always been there, but it has never been turned on by default for me (including SW2025). I’ve had others turned on for whatever reason, but not that one.
By the way, that’s one that’s always made me think “Why is that setting even there?” Why would anyone ever re-name a component file and not want the name updated in the tree?
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OK. Now I see. It works in tandem with the Component Name field in the Component Properties dialog. When it’s checked (the default it seems), you will get an error if you try to enter a component name:
I must have unchecked it at some point in my 2025 install.
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We always have it checked. The default OOTB is checked as far as I can tell from the registry under “Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SolidWorks\SOLIDWORKS 2024\ExtReferences”. The key is called “Sync Refs” with a default value of 1. Unless 2025 changed it, but I can’t imagine it would be unless its a bug.
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I wouldn’t assume you un-checked it by accident. Just the other day, for the first time ever, the setting “Auto-show property manager” became unchecked on a whim without any input from me.
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Back in the day this one would be turned on by default every time I installed a new version. That’s one of the reasons I abandoned Toolbox in favor of having my own library.
I’ve had that one toggle on occasion. Never have figured what causes it.
