With the release of SOLIDWORKS 2016, users and IT departments need to be aware that the supported versions of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows Server have changed.
SOLIDWORKS CAD software will no longer install on Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit or below and the SOLIDWORKS 2016 Network License Manager will no longer install on Microsoft Windows Server 2008 or below. Microsoft Windows 7 64-bit and Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 or greater are supported.
Full details of SOLIDWORKS system requirements are below. We recommend users upgrade all operating system software where possible, prior to attempting a roll out of SOLIDWORKS 2016.
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| Operating Systems | SOLIDWORKS 2014 | SOLIDWORKS 2015 | SOLIDWORKS 2016 |
| Windows 10 64-bit |  |
 (2015 SP5) |
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| Windows 8.1 64-bit | (2014 SP1) |
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| Windows 8 64-bit | |
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| Windows 7 64-bit | |
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| Windows 7 32-bit | |
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| Minimum Hardware | |||
| RAM | 8GB or more and 64-bit operating system recommended | ||
| Disk Space | 5 GB or more | ||
| Video Card | Certified cards and drivers | ||
| Processor | Intel or AMD with SSE2 support. 64-bit operating system required | ||
| Install Media | DVD Drive or Broadband Internet Connection | ||
| Microsoft Products | |||
| Internet Explorer | IE 8, 9, 10, 11 | IE 9, 10 ,11 | IE 10 ,11 |
| Excel and Word | 2007, 2010, 2013 | 2010, 2013 | 2010, 2013 |
| 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 | |||
| Windows 10 64-bit | |
(2015 SP5) |
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| Windows 8.1 64-bit | (2014 SP1) |
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| Windows 8 64-bit | |
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| Windows 7 64-bit | |
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| Windows 7 32-bit | |
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| Windows Server 2012 R2 | (2014 SP3) |
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| Windows Server 2012 | |
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| Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 | |
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| Windows Server 2008 | |
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With the release of SOLIDWORKS 2014, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks announced that SOLIDWORKS 2014 was the last version of SOLIDWORKS that would install on Microsoft Windows 7 32-bit.
If you want to check if your version of Windows is supported, go to Control Panel > All Control Panel Items > System, where you will find your “Windows edition” and “System type” detailed.
If you would like new a quote for replacement hardware, please call 0121 544 1400. Alternatively, visit the “Hardware” page of our website for some outline specifications.
