This process works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is completely free and requires no additional software.
If editing system files feels too technical, here are other free methods:
| Method | Difficulty | Effectiveness | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | SimpleWall (Windows) | Medium | Excellent (Blocks specific .exe files) | | LuLu (macOS) | Medium | Excellent | | Router Blocking | Hard | Good (Blocks all devices on WiFi) | | Disable Network Adapter | Easy | Terrible (You lose internet entirely) |
The Hosts file remains the best "set it and forget it" free solution because it requires no background processes. block sketchup host file free
To effectively block SketchUp, you need to know which servers it talks to. Based on community analysis and network logs, here are the primary domains to block:
Pro Tip: For the free SketchUp Make 2017 (perpetual license), blocking
license.sketchup.comandsketchup.comis usually sufficient.
Before we dive into the "how," let's look at the "why." There are several legitimate reasons to block SketchUp’s outbound connections: This process works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
1. "Access Denied" when saving:
2. SketchUp crashes on startup:
3. The Welcome Screen is blank:
Simply saving the file might not take effect immediately. You need to refresh your network settings.
For Windows:
For Mac:
While editing the hosts file to block SketchUp’s license servers is a well-known technique, its effectiveness has diminished with modern subscription models. More importantly, doing so violates Trimble’s terms and carries both technical and legal risks. For most users, the best "free" path is to use the official SketchUp Free web app or switch to a legitimate open-source alternative.
This write-up is for educational purposes only. Always respect software licensing agreements.