1. SOLIDWORKS
  2. System Requirements

System Requirements

Operating Systems | MS SQL/Office | Hardware & Hypervisors | Antivirus | Support Lifecycle | Notes

 

Operating Systems

 SOLIDWORKS 2024SOLIDWORKS 2025SOLIDWORKS 2026
Client Products (e.g. SOLIDWORKS)
Windows 11, 64-bit
 
 
 
Windows 10, 64-bit
 
 
 
Server Products (e.g. SOLIDWORKS PDM, SNL Manager)
Windows Server 2025
 
 
(SW2025 SP3)
 
Windows Server 2022
 
 
 
Windows Server 2019
 
 
 
eDrawings for Mac
macOS Tahoe (26.0)
 
 
To be announced
macOS Sequoia (15.0)
 
 
 
(End of Life: eDrawings 2027)
macOS Sonoma (14.0)
 
 
 
(End of Life: eDrawings 2026)
macOS Ventura (13.0)
 
 
 
macOS Monterey (12.0)
 
 
 
 

Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Office

 SOLIDWORKS 2024SOLIDWORKS 2025SOLIDWORKS 2026
MS SQL
SQL 2025
 
 
To be announced
SQL 2022
 
 
 
SQL 2019
 
SQL 2019 CU22 required
 
SQL 2019 CU22 required
 
SQL 2019 CU22 required
(End of Life: SW 2026)
SQL 2017
 
 
 
MS Office
Word, Excel, PowerPoint
2021
2021
2024 (SW2025 SP3)
2021 (End of Life: SW 2026)
2024
 

Hardware and Hypervisors

 SOLIDWORKS 2024SOLIDWORKS 2025SOLIDWORKS 2026
Hardware
Processorx86_64 (Intel 64 or AMD64)
RAM16 GB (32 GB recommended)
PDM Contributor/Viewer or Electrical Schematic: 8 GB (16 GB recommended)
Graphics / GPUCertified cards and drivers
DrivesSSD drives recommended for optimal performance
Hypervisors (Virtual Environments)
VMware vSphere ESXi8.0.1 U18.0.3 U3To be announced
VMware Workstation17.0.217.6.0To be announced
Microsoft Hyper-V20222022To be announced
Parallels Desktop, Mac18.3.220.2.0To be announced
Citrix XenServerTo be announcedTo be announcedTo be announced
  • SOLIDWORKS and eDrawings require a GPU for optimal performance in a virtualized environment.
  • Check Hardware Benchmarks for applications and references that can be used to help determine hardware performance.
  • SOLIDWORKS Composer is not supported in virtualized environments.
 

Antivirus Products

Guidelines to help ensure SOLIDWORKS installation success and optimal runtime performance 

  • Use a trusted antivirus product.
  • Keep your antivirus product updated to the latest version.
  • Stay updated with the latest antivirus definition/signature file (This defines the known current vulnerabilities and exemptions).
  • Consider creating exemptions for SOLIDWORKS file types and folder locations to improve SOLIDWORKS file based runtime performance such as File Open/Save/Save As and PDM Vault Checkin/Checkout.
  • If you encounter install or runtime errors or warnings from your antivirus product, first check the SOLIDWORKS Support site for known issues or contact your SOLIDWORKS reseller.
 

Microsoft/Apple Products Support Lifecycle (SOLIDWORKS 2024 - 2026)

Products

Start of SupportEnd of Support1
Windows 11, 64-bitSW 2022 SP2Active
Windows 10, 64-bitSW 2015 SP5
SW 2025 SP5
Windows Server 2025SW 2025 SP3Active
Windows Server 2022SW 2022 SP4SW 2028 SP5
Windows Server 2019SW 2019 SP3
SW 2025 SP5
SQL Server 2025To be announcedTo be announced
SQL Server 2022SW 2023 SP2Active
SQL Server 2019SW 2020 SP0
SW 2026 SP5
SQL Server 2017SW 2018 SP0SW 2024 SP5
Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2024 (64-bit recommended)SW 2025 SP3Active
Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2021 (64-bit recommended)SW 2022 SP2
SW 2026 SP5
macOS Tahoe (26.0)To be announcedTo be announced
macOS Sequoia (15.0)eDrawings 2025eDrawings 2027
macOS Sonoma (14.0)eDrawings 2024
eDrawings 2026
macOS Ventura (13.0)eDrawings 2023
eDrawings 2025
macOS Monterey (12.0)eDrawings 2022eDrawings 2024
 

Microsoft/Apple Products Support Lifecycle (SOLIDWORKS 2023 and older)

Products

Start of SupportEnd of Support1
Windows 8.1, 64-bitSW 2014 SP1SW 2018 SP5
Windows 7, 64-bitSW 2010 SP1SW 2020 SP5
Windows 7, 32-bitSW 2010 SP1SW 2014 SP5
Windows Vista, 64-bitSW 2008 SP3.1SW 2013 SP5
Windows Vista, 32-bitSW 2008 SP0SW 2013 SP5
Windows XP, 64-bitSW 2006 SP4SW 2012 SP5
Windows XP, 32-bitSW 2001Plus SP0SW 2013 SP5
Windows Server 2016SW 2017 SP2SW 2023 SP5
Windows Server 2012 R2SW 2014 SP3SW 2019 SP5
Windows Server 2012SW 2014 SP0SW 2018 SP5
Windows Server 2008 R2, SP1SW 2009SW 2017 SP5
Windows Server 2008SW 2008SW 2014 SP5
SQL Server 2016SW 2017 SP0SW 2023 SP5
SQL Server 2014SW 2015 SP0SW 2021 SP5
SQL Server 2012SW 2013 SP2SW 2019 SP5
SQL Server 2008 R2SW 2010 SP4SW 2017 SP5
IE 11SW 2014 SP3Ended
IE 10SW 2013 SP0SW 2016 SP5
IE 9SW 2011 SP4SW 2015 SP5
IE 8SW 2009 SP5SW 2014 SP5
Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2019 (64-bit recommended)SW 2019 SP2SW 2023 SP5
Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2016 (64-bit recommended)SW 2016 SP3SW 2023 SP5
Word, Excel 2013SW 2013 SP4SW 2020 SP5
Word, Excel 2010SW 2010 SP5SW 2018 SP5
Word, Excel 2007SW 2008 SP1SW 2014 SP5
macOS Big Sur (11.0)eDrawings 2021eDrawings 2023
macOS Catalina (10.15)eDrawings 2020eDrawings 2022
macOS Mojave (10.14)eDrawings 2019eDrawings 2021
macOS High Sierra (10.13)eDrawings 2019eDrawings 2020
macOS Sierra (10.12)eDrawings 2017eDrawings 2019
OS X El Capitan (10.11)eDrawings 2017eDrawings 2018
OS X Yosemite (10.10)eDrawings 2015eDrawings 2018
Notes:
  1. End Of Support (EOS) corresponds to the last SOLIDWORKS release where a Microsoft product is supported (This is synchronized with the Microsoft Mainstream Support End Date). SOLIDWORKS releases after the EOS are not supported for the said Microsoft product and SOLIDWORKS installation is blocked in the case of an operating system.
  2. SOLIDWORKS Product Support Lifecycle defines the End Of Support for SOLIDWORKS versions.
  3. SOLIDWORKS recommends using the latest Microsoft update of Windows and Office.
  4. SOLIDWORKS supports each Windows 10 and Windows 11 release for applicable SOLIDWORKS releases as long as it is still covered by both the SOLIDWORKS Product Support Lifecycle and Microsoft Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet.
  5. SOLIDWORKS recommends using a Windows Server operating system for all SOLIDWORKS server-based products. Refer to the Microsoft Windows Server documentation to select the Windows Server edition that meets your needs.
  6. Windows Home Editions and Windows To Go are not supported.
  7. Apple Mac machines running Windows using Boot Camp are not supported.
  8. SOLIDWORKS 2018 on Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 requires the Microsoft April 2014 update
  9. It is not recommended to install any instances of other applications on the SOLIDWORKS PDM Archive or Database Server. For PDM Professional, it is recommended the Archive and Database servers are two separate, dedicated machines.
  10. SOLIDWORKS does not test or certify VPN (Virtual Private Network) solutions but provides best-effort support. Users may be directed to work directly with their VPN provider to resolve issues on a case-by-case basis.
  11. Beginning with SOLIDWORKS 2020, DVD distribution media will only be provided on request. Please contact your Reseller.