# SOLIDWORKS 2026 Preview Preview What’s New in SOLIDWORKS 2026! ![SW2026Banner1920x540](/sites/default/filesd10/styles/webp/public/2025-06/SW2026Banner1920x540.png.webp) \*Model courtesy of ABCO ### FAQ Answers to common questions about the SOLIDWORKS® Preview program. ### How to Participate No sign up required! The Beta release is available to all subscription customers and channel partners. ### User Community Connect with the SOLIDWORKS Preview community, share your feedback, and interact with the SOLIDWORKS R&D team. - [Already a member? Go to Community](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:HtbjmKYdSlWkfqQeOuP6Zw) - [Community sign up info](/sites/default/filesd10/2025-07/How-To-Use-Preview-Community-2026-EN.pdf) ### About the SOLIDWORKS Preview Program During the Preview program, you are under a **Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA)** and cannot share any information about the SOLIDWORKS® Preview products outside of the SOLIDWORKS Preview community. The SOLIDWORKS Preview Program gives subscription customers and channel partners early access to the next major release of SOLIDWORKS. Subscription customers have exclusive access to: - **Test-drive** new and enhanced features, and explore the latest release of SOLIDWORKS. - **Connect** with the global - [SOLIDWORKS Preview Community](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:HtbjmKYdSlWkfqQeOuP6Zw), and learn about **R&D insights** on key projects. - **Share feedback** with the SOLIDWORKS Preview and R&D teams. Your testing during the Preview program helps you prepare for a smooth upgrade and migration to the next production release for your specific environment, data, and workflows. We appreciate the valuable time that you invest into testing the SOLIDWORKS Beta products. #### SOLIDWORKS Preview Program Schedule The SOLIDWORKS Preview program includes one Beta release and runs from **mid-July to mid-August**. **The SOLIDWORKS Preview program has now ended** and SOLIDWORKS 2026 Pre-Release 1 is now available to all subscription customers and channel partners. #### SOLIDWORKS Preview Online During the Preview program you can either download and install the SOLIDWORKS Beta release on your machine or test the release online without installing. *Note: Product restrictions apply. For more information, see the* [*Preview Online FAQ*](/sites/default/filesd10/2025-07/SW-2026-Preview-Online-FAQ.pdf)*.* Connect with the - [SOLIDWORKS Preview Community](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:HtbjmKYdSlWkfqQeOuP6Zw) for the latest news and information on the SOLIDWORKS Preview Program. ### Preview Program FAQs #### How do I test SOLIDWORKS Preview? --- During the Preview program, you can either download and install a SOLIDWORKS Beta release, or run the same release online from a supported web browser (no installation required). For DraftSight™, you can only download and install the DraftSight Beta release on your machine. Online preview is not available. **Download** 1. Go to the download page and login using your **3D**EXPERIENCE ID. 2. Select the Beta release from the drop down menu. 3. Select the Beta Product. 4. Read and accept the **Customer License and Online Services Agreement (CLOSA)**. 5. Click **Download**, then run *SolidWorksSetup.exe* and follow the instructions. 6. Run the SOLIDWORKS Beta Installation Manager to download and install products. **Test online in a Web Browser** 1. Go to https://my.solidworks.com/solidworkspreview 2. Select 'Launch' Supported browsers: - Chrome 136.0.7103.113 - Firefox 138.0.4 - Microsoft Edge 137.0.3296.52 #### Is Preview testing confidential? --- Yes. You are under a **Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)** during the Preview program. You *cannot* share any information about the SOLIDWORKS Beta products outside of the SOLIDWORKS Preview Community. #### How do I participate? --- No sign up is required! Access to the Beta software is automatically available to all subscription customers. If you are currently on subscription, and your serial number is registered in your MySolidWorks account, the Beta software is available to download or to run online from a supported web browser. After the Preview program begins, you have exclusive access to: - Download the Beta release or run it online from a supported browser. - [Report](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:HtbjmKYdSlWkfqQeOuP6Zw) bugs that you find to the SOLIDWORKS Preview team. - [Connect](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:HtbjmKYdSlWkfqQeOuP6Zw) with the SOLIDWORKS Preview Community and share your feedback with the R&D teams. **For more information**, see the **How do I submit bugs and feedback?** FAQ #### How do I set up the Preview release? --- - **We strongly recommend that you install SOLIDWORKS Beta products on a separate machine from your production environment**. - Do not upgrade your current production SOLIDWORKS and Toolbox (SOLIDWORKS Data) to the Beta release. Specify a new, dedicated folder for the Beta release installation. - Set ALL file locations in **Tools** > **Options** to Beta-specific testing locations. - Keep ALL Beta items like templates and design library data separate from your production data. - Do NOT use SOLIDWORKS Beta products with your production files. If you want to test your production data, make copies of that data for testing purposes. #### What can I do to be an effective Preview tester? --- - Test your normal production workflows using a copy of your production models. - Modify your normal production workflows to accommodate new functionality. - Review the *What's New* document and test new functionality with new data or with your copied production data. To access the *What’s New* document, in SOLIDWORKS, click **Help** > **What’s New**. - Connect with the SOLIDWORKS Preview community and interact with the R&D and Preview teams. - We encourage you to use the SOLIDWORKS Task Scheduler Upgrade Assistant to test the migration of your SOLIDWORKS files before converting them to the new release. #### How do I submit bugs and feedback? --- **To submit bug reports**: 1. Go to the - [SOLIDWORKS Preview community](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:HtbjmKYdSlWkfqQeOuP6Zw) and click **+ Add** icon 2. Select **Question** ![](/sites/default/filesd10/inline-images/2026-01%20%281%29.png) 3. Enter a title or problem summary in the **Add a title** box 4. Enter your question, problem description, or your discussion content under **Start writing** 5. Click the **Upload media from computer** (up arrow icon) to attach a file 6. Select one of the pre-defined tags depending if you have a *problem* report, a *how-to* question, or an *enhancement* request of a new functionality 7. Click the **Publish** button to complete your question ![](/sites/default/filesd10/inline-images/2026-02%20%281%29.png)**Notes for submitting bugs**: - Describe your issue in detail and attach relevant images, instructions, and files. ***Note*****: Do NOT attach Rx files or any proprietary files. All file attachments are public and visible to all community members. To submit proprietary files, including Rx files, request a secure 3DS file transfer workspace**. - Do not contact your local reseller about Preview issues and bugs. Submit a bug report in the SOLIDWORKS Preview Community. - The SOLIDWORKS Preview Program Support Team will review and respond to your bug reports. **To submit feedback**: Visit the - [SOLIDWORKS Preview community](https://r1132100503382-eu1-3dswym.3dexperience.3ds.com/#community:HtbjmKYdSlWkfqQeOuP6Zw) and create a discussion or ask a question #### If I install a Beta release, does it affect my production or commercial licenses? --- No. Although you use your commercial serial numbers to download and install Beta releases, Beta license activation is completely separate from commercial license activation, regardless of whether you have standalone licenses or SolidNetWork licenses (SNL). You have as many Beta licenses as you have commercial licenses. For example, you have a commercial SNL server that serves 5 licenses of SOLIDWORKS Standard and 5 licenses of SOLIDWORKS Premium. During the Preview period, you can mimic your commercial SNL server and install and setup a separate Beta SNL server that serves 5 licenses of SOLIDWORKS Standard and 5 licenses of SOLIDWORKS Premium.