What Are the System Requirements for SOLIDWORKS 2026?
Use this information to ensure you are always working with a SOLIDWORKS supported and optimized system for hardware, operating system and Microsoft products.
SOLIDWORKS CAD:
Operating System : Windows 11 64-bit
Processor : 3.3 GHz or higher (Recommended to use Intel Core Processor like i9 or i7) (Prefer latest Generation Processors for Enhanced Performance)
RAM : 16 GB or more (Recommended 32 GB)
Graphics Card : Certified cards and drivers (Click here for list of Certified Workstations. Choose Graphics Cards tested & certified for that Specified Workstation)
Drives : SSD drive recommended for Optimal Performance
Microsoft Product : 2024 or 2021 (2021 Support ends by SOLIDWORKS 2026)
SOLIDWORKS SIMULATION:
Operating System : Windows 11 64-bit
Processor : 3.3 GHz or higher (Recommended to use Intel Core Processor like i9 or i7) (Prefer latest Generation Processors for Enhanced Performance)
RAM : 32 GB or more (Recommended 64 GB)
Graphics Card : Certified cards and drivers (Click here for list of Certified Workstations. Choose Graphics Cards tested & certified for that Specified Workstation)
Drives : SSD drive recommended for Optimal Performance
Microsoft Product : 2024 or 2021 (2021 Support ends by SOLIDWORKS 2026)
SOLIDWORKS PDM:
PDM Server Requirements:
Operating System : Windows Server 2022 or more (Win Server 2022 valid upto SWX 2028)
MS SQL Server : SQL 2022 or more
Drives : SSD drives recommended for optimal performance
RAM : 32 GB or more
Microsoft Product : 2021 or more
PDM Client Requirements:
Operating System : Windows 11 64-bit
Processor : 3.3 GHz or higher
Drives : SSD drives recommended for optimal performance
RAM : 16 GB or more (For systems with SOLIDWORKS Installation)
8 GB or more (For systems without SOLIDWORKS Installation)
Graphics Card : Certified cards & drivers (Click here for Certified Workstations & Graphics Cards)
Microsoft Product : 2021 or more (MS Office 2021 supports upto SWX 2026)
Kindly verify the specifications before purchasing new workstations. We recommend you to do benchmark (Testing) on the workstation with your 3D models (using SOLIDWORKS latest version).
PDM Server Requirements:
- Use a trusted Antivirus product
- Keep your Antivirus product updated to the latest version (Latest definition/Signature file)
- Consider creating Antivirus Exemptions for SOLIDWORKS file types and folder locations to improve SOLIDWORKS file-based runtime performance such as File Open/Save/Save As/Import
- SOLIDWORKS recommends using the latest Microsoft update of Windows and Office
- Install SOLIDWORKS recommended driver version for Graphics Card (as mentioned here)
- Windows 10 64-bit & Windows Server 2019 Support ended by SOLIDWORKS 2025 SP05.
- Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Support ends by SOLIDWORKS 2026 SP05
For detailed information, refer https://www.solidworks.com/support/system-requirements
Thanks for reading!!
Stay tuned for Stage 2 of “How to perform effective Drafting using SOLIDWORKS”!!!
Author Details
Palaniyappan T is an Elite Application Engineer with a background in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in customer success. He serves as Assistant Technical Manager and also a Customer Success AE, leveraging almost 10 years of experience with SOLIDWORKS CAD, SOLIDWORKS PDM and also with the 3DEXPERIENCE Design Ecosystem. His expertise has enabled him to successfully assist over 150 customers in resolving technical challenges, improving their design workflows, and achieving their goals.
