Updating Vectorworks products
Vectorworks releases a major version annually. Between major versions, Vectorworks publishes updates that include maintenance fixes, as well as new features or functionality. There may also be updates to third-party products (see Access to third-party products).
To obtain updates:
Do one of the following:
Select to Check for updates on a weekly or monthly basis from the Session pane of Vectorworks preferences (see Vectorworks preferences: Session pane). An alert dialog box displays when an update is available.
Select Help > Check for Updates (Windows) or Vectorworks > Check for Updates (Mac). Alternatively, click Check for Updates from the About Vectorworks dialog box. An alert dialog box opens to indicate either that the software is up to date, or that an update is available.
If an update is available, you can click See what's new in [update] to view a summary of the update. Then do one of the following:
Click Update (for a minor version), or Download (for a major version) to proceed with the update.
If it is not convenient to update the software at this time, click Not Now.
Follow the instructions in the Vectorworks Install Manager.
Advanced installation options
If something other than a routine update is needed, the Vectorworks Install Manager offers advanced options.
To access the advanced options:
Click the 
menu on the Vectorworks Install Manager title bar, and select the operation.
|
Operation |
Description |
|
Repair |
Scans your Vectorworks installation folder and replaces any missing or corrupted files it identifies. If your Vectorworks folder has become damaged, you may use this to fix the problem. |
|
Select Source |
Allows an update when there is no internet connection, using a pre-downloaded .vwim file (see Download, below) |
|
Uninstall |
Uninstalls Vectorworks |
|
Set Channel |
Provides a mechanism for Vectorworks to distribute special versions of Vectorworks to address specific issues. If Tech Support has given you an update code, enter the code to receive any software updates designated for that code. |
|
Download |
Allows you to download a .vwim file while online, for use with the Select Source option for an offline update later or on another computer |
Updating Vectorworks offline
In situations where there is no reliable internet connection, or when you may need to perform multiple updates with a single download, use an offline update file.
To update Vectorworks offline:
From a computer with internet access, click the menu on the Vectorworks Install Manager title bar, and select Download.
A dialog box opens. Select the desired version and download location, and then click Download.
The .vwim file is downloaded; the file can be used to update both Windows and Mac platforms.
Copy the .vwim file to the computer without internet access.
From the computer to update offline, launch the Vectorworks Install Manager from the Vectorworks installation folder on your local drive:
Windows: C:\Program Files\Vectorworks [version]\Vectorworks [version] Install Manager\Vectorworks 2025 Install Manager.exe
Mac: /Applications/Vectorworks [version]/Vectorworks [version] Install Manager.app
Click the menu on the Vectorworks Install Manager title bar, and select Select Source and then Local file as source.
When prompted, browse to and select the .vwim file that was downloaded earlier.
Follow the instructions in the Vectorworks Install Manager, which uses the .vwim file to complete the update.
