If you experience issues with ARES Electrical that cannot be solved by a normal uninstall/reinstall, you can perform a clean reinstallation. This procedure removes all user settings and databases so that the software can be installed as if it were the first time.
Important: A clean reinstall permanently deletes project data, libraries, and databases unless you create a backup first. Only proceed if you are sure the information can be deleted, or make a full backup before continuing.
Step 1 — Uninstall ARES Electrical
Close ARES Electrical.
Open Settings → Apps → Installed Apps (or Control Panel → Programs and Features).
Select ARES Electrical and click Uninstall - The installer will remove program files from your computer.
Notes
The display of AppData folder is hidden in Windows system defaults. You can change it in the Windows Explorer via the Menu Tools->Folder Options...->Tab View and the list box "Advanced Settings".
By typing %appdata% into the address bar of the Windows Explorer and pressing the Return/Enter-key, you can directly open your User-Roaming-folder.
Step 2 — Remove user settings
ARES Electrical stores user-specific configuration in the Windows AppData folder.
Open the Windows search box and type %appdata%.
Delete the following folder, if it exists: ARES Electrical x64
This step resets the software preferences and user interface to default.
Step 3 — Remove program data
ARES Electrical uses the ProgramData folder to store shared data and the electrical database.
Warning: This folder contains the database files for projects and libraries. If you want to keep them, make a copy before deleting.
Open the Windows search box and type %programdata%.
Delete the following 2 folders: ARES Electrical and Ae
Step 4 — Delete the LocalDB instance
ARES Electrical uses Microsoft SQL LocalDB to manage project data. To reset it completely:
Warning: Deleting the LocalDB instance will remove all databases it contains. This cannot be undone.
Install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or Azure Data Studio (if not already installed).
Connect to the server:
(localdb)\MSSQLLocalDB
Right-click the instance and choose Delete.
Step 5 — Reinstall ARES Electrical
Download the latest installer from the https://www.graebert.com/cad-software/download/ares-electrical/
Find the help article for guidance here - https://www.graebert.com/cad-software/download/ares-electrical/
Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
Start ARES Electrical. The program will create a new configuration and the database folders automatically.