Use this information to ensure you are always working with a SOLIDWORKS supported and optimized system for hardware, operating system and software products.
SOLIDWORKS Products for Windows
| Operating Systems | SOLIDWORKS 2017 (EDU 2017-2018) |
SOLIDWORKS 2018 (EDU 2018-2019) |
SOLIDWORKS 2019 (EDU 2019-2020) |
| Windows 10, 64-bit |  |
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| Windows 8.1, 64-bit | |
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| Windows 7 SP1, 64-bit |
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(End of Life: SW 2020 SP5) |
| Hardware | |||
| RAM | 16 GB or more (8GB or more for PDM Contributor, Viewer, Web Client or Web Server) |
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| Graphics Card | Certified cards and drivers | ||
| Processor | 3.3 GHz or higher | ||
| Drives | SSD drives recommended for optimal performance | ||
| Software | |||
| Microsoft Excel & Word | 2010, 2013, 2016 | 2010, 2013, 2016 | 2013, 2016 |
| Browsers (PDM Web2 Client) | Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari | ||
| Other | |||
| Anti-Virus | Supported Anti-Virus Products | ||
| Virtual environments | Supported virtual environments | ||
eDrawings for Mac
| Operating Systems | eDrawings 2017 |
eDrawings 2018 |
eDrawings 2019 |
| macOS Sierra (10.12) | |
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| macOS El Capitan (10.11) | |
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| macOS X Yosemite (10.10) | |
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SOLIDWORKS Server Products
| Operating Systems | SOLIDWORKS 2017 |
SOLIDWORKS 2018 |
SOLIDWORKS 2019 |
| Windows Server 2016 | (2017 SP2) |
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| Windows Server 2012 R2 | |
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| Windows Server 2012 | |
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| Windows Server 2008 R2, SP1 | |
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Microsoft Products (SOLIDWORKS 2017 - 2019)
| Microsoft Products | Start of Life | End Of Life* |
| Windows 10, 64-bit | 2015 SP5 | Active |
| Windows 8.1, 64-bit | 2014 SP1 | 2018 SP5 |
| Windows 8.0, 64-bit | 2013 SP0 | 2015 SP5 |
| Windows 7, 64-bit | 2010 SP1 | 2020 SP5 |
| Windows 7, 32-bit | 2010 SP1 | 2014 SP5 |
| Windows Vista, 64-bit | 2008 SP3.1 | 2013 SP5 |
| Windows Vista, 32-bit | 2008 SP0 | 2013 SP5 |
| Windows XP, 64-bit | 2006 SP4 | 2012 SP5 |
| Windows XP, 32-bit | 2001Plus SP0 | 2013 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2016 | 2017 SP2 | Active |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | 2014 SP3 | 2019 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2012 | 2014 SP0 | 2018 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2, SP1 | 2009 | 2017 SP5 |
| IE 11 | 2014 SP3 | Active |
| IE 10 | 2013 SP0 | 2016 SP5 |
| IE 9 | 2011 SP4 | 2015 SP5 |
| IE 8 | 2009 SP5 | 2014 SP5 |
| Excel, Word 2016 (64-bit recommended) | 2016 SP3 | Active |
| Excel, Word 2013 | 2013 SP4 | 2020 SP5 |
| Excel, Word 2010 | 2013 SP4 | 2018 SP5 |
| Excel, Word 2007 | 2008 SP1 | 2014 SP5 |
Notes:
- *End Of Life (EOL) 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 EOL 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 Service Pack 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.
- Windows Server operating system support applies to Standard and Enterprise editions only.
- Windows Home Editions and Windows To Go are not supported.
- Microsoft Office 'Click-To-Run' feature is supported for SOLIDWORKS 2017 and later.
- Apple Macintosh® based machines running Windows using Boot Camp 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.
- To ensure optimum performance, it is not recommended to install anti-virus software on the SOLIDWORKS PDM vault computer.
- Beginning with SOLIDWORKS 2020, DVD distribution of media will only be provided on request. Please contact your Reseller.