Ensure that you are always working with an optimized system for hardware, operating system (OS) and Microsoft products to get the best out of your SOLIDWORKS investment. Our SOLIDWORKS System Requirements is always updated to the latest information.
SOLIDWORKS Products for Windows
| Operating Systems | SOLIDWORKS 2019 |
SOLIDWORKS 2020 |
SOLIDWORKS 2021 |
| Windows 10, 64-bit |  |
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| Windows 7 SP1, 64-bit | |
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| Hypervisor | |||
| VMware vSphere ESXi | 6.5 | 6.7 | 6.7 U3 |
| VMware Workstation | 14 | 15 | 15.5 |
| Microsoft Hyper-V | 2016 | 2019 | 2019 |
| Parallels Desktop, Mac | 14 | 14 | TBA |
| Citrix XenServer | 7.4 | 7.6 | 8.2 |
| Hardware | |
| Processor | Recommended Intel Core i7 or Xeon with 4-core or higher,
AMD Ryzen 7 or Threadripper 3.3 GHz or higher |
| RAM | 3D CAD: 16 GB or more
PDM Contributor or Viewer: 8 GB or more PDM Web Client or Web Server: 8 GB or more Electrical Schematic: 8 GB or more |
| Graphics Card | Certified workstation-class GPU
AMD: Recent model of FirePro W-series and Radeon Pro WX-series NVIDIA: Recent model of Quadro G-series, K-series, M-series, P-series, RTX-series, Tesla-series |
| Drives | SSD Drives is recommended for optimal performance |
| Disk Space | PDM Contributor or Viewer: 10 GB or more
PDM Web Client or Web Server: 5 GB or more PDM Archive Server or Database Server: 50 GB or more SOLIDWORKS Manage: 10 GB or more |
SOLIDWORKS Server Products
| SOLIDWORKS 2019 |
SOLIDWORKS 2020 |
SOLIDWORKS 2021 |
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| Operating Systems | |||
| Windows Server 2019 | (2019 SP3) |
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| Windows Server 2016 | |
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| Windows Server 2012 R2 | |
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| SQL Server | |||
| SQL 2019 | |
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| SQL 2017 | |
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| SQL 2016 | |
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| SQL 2014 | |
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(End of Life: SW2021 SP5) |
| SQL 2012 | |
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Microsoft Products Support Lifecycle (SOLIDWORKS 2019 – 2021)
| Products | Start of Support | End Of Support 1 |
| Windows 10, 64-bit | SW 2015 SP5 | Active |
| Windows 7, 64-bit | SW 2010 SP1 | SW 2020 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2019 | SW 2019 SP3 | Active |
| Windows Server 2016 | SW 2017 SP2 | Active |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | SW 2014 SP3 | SW 2019 SP5 |
| SQL Server 2019 | SW 2020 SP0 | Active |
| SQL Server 2017 | SW 2018 SP0 | Active |
| SQL Server 2016 | SW 2017 SP0 | Active |
| SQL Server 2014 | SW 2015 SP0 | SW 2021 SP5 |
| SQL Server 2012 | SW 2013 SP2 | SW 2019 SP5 |
| IE 11 | SW 2014 SP3 | Active |
| Excel, Word 2019 | SW 2019 SP2 | Active |
| Excel, Word 2016 | SW 2016 SP3 | Active |
| Excel, Word 2013 | SW 2013 SP4 | SW 2020 SP5 |
Notes
- 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.
- SOLIDWORKS Product Support Lifecycle defines the End Of Support for SOLIDWORKS versions.
- SolidWorks recommends using the latest Microsoft update of Windows, Office and Internet Explorer.
- SolidWorks supports each Windows 10 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.
- 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.
- Windows Home Editions and Windows To Go are not supported.
- SOLIDWORKS 2018 on Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 requires the Microsoft April 2014 update.
- 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.
- 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.
- Beginning with SOLIDWORKS 2020, DVD distribution media will only be provided on request. Please contact us.
DraftSight Products for Windows
| Operating Systems | DraftSight 2020 |
DraftSight 2021 |
| Windows 10, 64-bit | |
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| Windows 8.1, 64-bit | |
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| Windows 7 SP1, 64-bit & 32-bit | |
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| Hardware | |
| Processor | Recommended Intel Core i5 or higher,
AMD Ryzen |
| RAM | 8 GB or more |
| Graphics Card/Video Card | 3D Graphics accelerator card with OpenGL version 3.2 or better |
| Drives | SSD Drives is recommended |
| Disk Space | 1.5 GB free hard disk space or more |
