SOLIDWORKS Hardware & System Requirements

Hardware & System Requirements

To make sure you are always working with a SOLIDWORKS supported and optimized system, use one of the following compatibility charts: SOLIDWORKS, SOLIDWORKS Network License Server, Microsoft Products or SOLIDWORKS Electrical Server.

SOLIDWORKS System Requirements

View compatible Operating Systems, Microsoft Products, Hardware and other supported resources for SOLIDWORKS 2018, 2019 and 2020.

	2019	2020	2021
Operating Systems
Windows 10, 64-bit
Windows 8.1, 64-bit
Windows 7 SP1, 64-bit
Microsoft Products
Internet Explorer	IE11	IE 11	IE 11
Excel and Word	2013, 2016, 2019 (SW2019 SP2)	2013,2016,2019	2016,2019
Hardware
RAM	16 GB or More PDM Contributor/Viewer or Electrical Schematic: 8 GB or more
Video Card	Certified Cards and Drivers
Processor	3.3 GHz or higher
Install Media	DVD Drive or Broadband Internet Connection
Other
Anti-Virus	Supported Anti-Virus Products
Network	Microsoft Windows Networking (Novell Networks and Non-Windows Network Storage Devices are Not Supported)
Virtual Environments	Supported Virtual Environments

SOLIDWORKS Network License Server

View compatible Windows Operating Systems for SOLIDWORKS 2018, 2019 and 2020.

	2019	2020	2021
Operating Systems
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2012 R2

Microsoft Products

See what releases of Microsoft Windows, Internet Explorer, Excel and Word are compatible and supported by SOLIDWORKS Products.

SOLIDWORKS Electrical Server Requirements

View compatible Operating Systems and SQL Server Platforms for SOLIDWORKS 2018, 2019 and 2020. 

	2019	2020	2021
Operating Systems
Windows Server 2019
Windows Server 2016
Windows Server 2012 R2
SQL Server Platform
SQL 2019
SQL 2017
SQL 2016
SQL 2014
SQL 2012

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Requirements

There are four key parts of your PDM Pro infrastructure to consider. Here are our recommendations we have for each part.

PDM Replicated Archive (File) Server Requirements

Geographically distributed PDM Professional environments require a Replicated Archive (File) Server. The hardware requirements for this machine are:

• Physical or virtual on local LAN
• Local NTFS File System (NAS not supported)
• Same disc space as main archive
  
  

PDM Networking Hardware Requirements

Networking hardware connects the parts of your engineering data environment. For this equipment we recommend:

• A professional grade router
• Client to App Server Latency of <=125 ms

Notes

1. 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.
2. SOLIDWORKS Product Support Lifecycle defines the End Of Support for SOLIDWORKS versions.
3. SolidWorks recommends using the latest Microsoft update of Windows, Office and Internet Explorer.
4. 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.
5. SolidWorks recommends using a Windows Server operating system for all SOLIDWORKS server-based products.
6. Windows Home Editions and Windows To Go are not supported.
7. Apple Mac ® based 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. To ensure optimum performance, it is not recommended to install antivirus software on the SOLIDWORKS PDM vault computer.
11. 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.
12. Beginning with SOLIDWORKS 2020, DVD distribution media will only be provided on request. Please contact your Reseller.