Frequently Asked Questions

In order for the software to run properly, your computer will need to meet or exceed the following minimum requirements:

• Operating System: PC (Windows 8.1 and higher) OR Mac (OS X 10.10 and higher). Chromebook is currently not supported.
• Internet connection: Strongly recommended for updates and access to the Silhouette Design Store. Required to activate a license key for upgrade.
• RAM: 4 GB of RAM
• Processor: 2 GHz (or faster) processor speed
• Memory: 2 GB hard disk space 
• USB Port: USB 2.0 Port (or higher)

To locate and verify compatibility for your computer, please do the following:

PC

1. Press [Windows]+Pause button on keyboard simultaneously
   NOTE: the [Windows] key is between [Ctrl] and [Alt]
2. The system information will be listed

You can alternately locate this information as follows:

1. Press [Windows]+R simultaneously on keyboard 
   NOTE: the [Windows] key is between [Ctrl] and [Alt]
2. In the Run window, type 'control panel'
3. Select System and Security > System
4. The system information will be listed

Mac

1. Select the apple symbol at the top left corner
2. Select About this Mac
3. The system information will be listed

If your computer does meet the minimum requirements, please continue to review the sections below.

After confirming your computer meets the minimum specification requirements, we would recommend to reinstall the latest version of the software:

1. Go to the software download page
2. Select the Mac or Windows link according to your computer type
3. Click on the "Download Silhouette Studio" button
4. Once downloaded, run the installation program and follow the on-screen prompts to install the software program

If after reinstalling the software, you experience continued concerns, proceed to the appropriate section below.

If the software began to crash immediately after updating your software BUT was working previously, you may alternately need to uninstall the latest version and roll back to the previous version according to your computer type as follows:

PC

1. Restart your computer
2. Press [Windows]+R simultaneously on keyboard
3. In the Run window type control panel
4. Press Enter
5. Select the option for Programs > Programs and Features
6. Select Silhouette Studio
7. Select the option for Uninstall at the top of the list
   ⚠ NOTE: Removal will not affect the library or license key (if present)
8. Go to the software download page
9. Scroll down to the "Legacy Version" section to download and install the previous older version

Mac 

1. Restart your computer
2. Select the Go menu at the top of the desktop
3. Select the Applications option
4. Drag ALL instances of Silhouette Studio to the Trash
   ⚠ NOTE: Removal will not affect the library or license key (if present)
5. Empty the Trash
6. Go to the software download page
7. Scroll down to the "Legacy Version" section to download and install the previous older version

Check to ensure the Silhouette Studio is being properly permitted to run as follows:

1. Right-click on the Silhouette Studio program shortcut
2. Select "Run as administrator"

If this is successful, you may make the following permanent change:

1. Select the Properties option
2. Select the Security tab
3. Select the Advanced button
4. Select the Change Permissions button and provide authorization
5. Check the box entitled "Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries from this object"
6. Select Yes on the Windows Security pop-up
7. Select Okay

When Silhouette Studio is opened, it goes through a process to initialize all the settings before fully opening and displaying the workspace area. Occassionally, the software may encounter errors during the startup phase that can interfere with successful launch of the software. 

Please click here for instructions on how to clear your preference folder to try and resolve a potential corruption.

If there is a corruption in the library folder, this can unfortunately prevent proper launch of the software. You can attempt to clear your library to resolve this concern.

​Mac

1. Open the Finder
2. Press [Cmd]+[Shift]+G
3. Type in /Library/Application Support
4. Press Return
5. Locate the folder com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio.8 
6. Rename the folder to com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio.8.OLD
7. Attempt to open Silhouette Studio

PC

1. Press the Windows key (lower left, between [Ctrl] and [Alt]) and the R key on your keyboard simultaneously
2. Type %programdata% into the Run box
3. Press Enter
4. Locate the folder com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio.8 
5. Right-click and select Rename
6. Rename the folder to com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio.8.OLD
7. Attempt to open Silhouette Studio

⚠ NOTE: Though you can alternately delete the folder referenced above and all sub-content, renaming it will have the software simply ignore it and create a new library instead. If there is a corruption with the library and the software opens, then unfortunately, the older library cannot likely be fixed or recovered. If the software does not launch sucessfully, then the library may not be corrupt and the folder can be renamed back to the original name.

If you are still experiencing issues after following these steps, please contact our Support team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and confirm what steps have been taken above.