I have parts that are cast or forged and then machined. The machined parts are .SLDPRT files made with the cast part as a derived part of the as cast part file and then machined features are added to the new part file. I have the load referenced documents set to "All" and the "Load documents in memory only" option checked. 

If I open the machined part or an assembly containing the machined part from within an active SolidWorks session, then the as cast/forged parts are not opened in a separate window and I'm happy.

If I open the machined part or an assembly containing the machined part from the standalone SolidWorks PDM search tool, then all of the referenced documents are opened in separate windows, seemingly ignoring the "Load documents in memory only" option and I'm not happy as I need to close a bunch of extra windows (some of our top level assemblies can contain 10+ castings/forgings).

Anybody know why this is? Do I need to get the administrator to check some other option in the PDM administration tool? What option do I need to tell them? Our PDM administrator is not an engineer/CAD user, but an IT person, so I need to make this as clear as possible where they need to go and what box to check.

Unfortunately we have castings/forgings that contain configurations of configurations so changing the load referenced documents to "None" or "Changed" is not a good work around as it creates a bunch of other issues. Telling me to only open from within SolidWorks is also kind of an annoying workaround as it requires extra steps. I would like to open a machined part or assembly containing the machined part from the standalone SolidWorks PDM search tool without opening the referenced documents in separate windows.

Also, as far as any new parts, I typically create the machined part as an assembly containing the cast/forged part and then use the "Assembly Features" to machine parts away and don't have these issues with my own parts, but other engineers aren't on board with this and we have a bunch of legacy data.