Installing, Uninstalling, Transferring and Authorising SketchUp

Installing, Uninstalling, Transferring and Authorising SketchUp

Installing SketchUp

Download the latest version of SketchUp for your Windows PC or Mac from the link below:

For Windows
  1. Right-click the downloaded .exe and select "Run as Administrator".
  2. Follow the onscreen instructions.
  3. Launch SketchUp.
For Mac
  1. Double-click the downloaded .dmg file which will launch a "Finder" window.
  2. Click and drag the application to the "Applications" folder when prompted. You may need to enter your Mac's username and password.
  3. Launch SketchUp.


Uninstalling SketchUp

For Windows
  1. Click "Start" (the Windows logo) > "Control Panel" > "Programs" > "Programs and Features".
  2. Find the version of SketchUp you wish to remove and select "Remove" or "Uninstall".
  3. When asked if you would like to remove SketchUp, confirm with "Yes" and follow the on screen instructions.
For Mac
  1. Click "Go" on the Finder top menu and click "Library". You may need to hold the Option (Alt) key on your keyboard to see the Library option.
  2. Open "Application Support" and drag the "SketchUp" folder to the trash.
  3. Open a new "Finder" window and click "Applications".
  4. Drag "SketchUp" to the trash.
  5. Go back to the "Library" folder and click "Preferences".
  6. Drag any of the following to the trash if present:
    1. com.sketchup.SketchUp.plist
    2. com.sketchup.LayOut.plist
    3. com.sketchup.StyleBuilder.plist
  7. Note that the files will contain the SketchUp version in the file name.


Authorising SketchUp

Open SketchUp and you'll be prompted with the "Welcome to SketchUp" screen. If you don't see the screen below, you can go to SketchUp > License (on Mac) or Help > License (on Windows).




Subscription License (uses your email address)
  1. Click "Sign In"
  2. Enter your email address and password.
  3. If you do not yet have a Trimble ID, enter the email address you wish to use. If the email address doesn't have an associated Trimble ID, you will be prompted to create a free Trimble account.

Classic License (uses a serial key and authorisation code)
  1. Click "Add Classic License".
  2. Copy and Paste your Serial Number and Authorisation code into the dialog boxes.
  3. Click "Add License". You will need to be connected to the internet for this to authorise.


Transferring SketchUp

If you'll no longer be using a version of SketchUp, remove your license from it before uninstalling and reinstalling to a new computer.
  1. Select SketchUp > License (on Mac) or Help > License (on Windows).
  2. Click "Remove License".
  3. Confirm the license removal.
You will then be free to use your serial number and authorisation code, or Trimble ID login on a new install.
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