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Installation, Licensing & Deployment
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- SOLIDWORKS Individual Installation
- How to Modify Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- How to Repair Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- Performing a Clean Uninstall
- How to Quickly Update SOLIDWORKS to a Newer Service Pack
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Standard to Professional or Premium
- How to Install Multiple Versions of SOLIDWORKS on One Computer
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- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Overview
- How to Install SolidNetwork License Manager
- How to Set Up and Manage SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing
- How to Upgrade SolidNetWork License Manager
- Moving from SOLIDWORKS Standalone to Network Licenses
- Use Options File to Reserve Licenses for Specific Users
- Reserve Licenses with Options File
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Order Guide
- How to Reactivate SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses
- How to Move the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager to a New Server
- How to add or remove network serial numbers
- Windows Firewall Exceptions for SOLIDWORKS Network Based Products
- How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of SolidNetWork License manager (SNL)
- How to Find and Review the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager Log File
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- DraftSight Enterprise - Admin Image Creation
- SOLIDWORKS Electrical Install and Upgrade Guide
- How to Install and Configure SOLIDWORKS Visualize Boost
- How to Install eDrawings
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS Composer
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS Inspection
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS Visualize
- How To Install SOLIDWORKS Routing Add-In
- How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of DraftSight
- DraftSight System Requirements
- How to Install DraftSight
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS MBD
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS Simulation Products
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- How to Request a Manual Download for SOLIDWORKS
- How to Resolve Windows Reboot is Pending
- SOLIDWORKS Installation Log Files
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
- Why Users Need Local Admin Rights to Install SOLIDWORKS
- “A Newer Version of This Product is Already Installed” Error when Installing SOLIDWORKS
- Blank SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager - Resolution
- “The Source Folder Is Not Versioned Properly…” Error when Modifying Serial Number
- How to Reset DraftSight Settings to Resolve Unexpected Behavior
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Customer Portal & Resources
- SOLIDWORKS and 3DEXPERIENCE Customer Portal Directory
- How to Register MySolidworks Professional Serial Number
- SOLIDWORKS Customer Portal Replaced by DSx Client Care
- How to Add Contacts and Assign Roles in DSx Client Care - 3DEXPERIENCE
- MyProducts.solidworks.com Overview
- How to Get FREE Certification Testing with an Active Subscription
- 3DS SOLIDWORKS Knowledge Base
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SOLIDWORKS
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- How To Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Manually
- How to Turn Off the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Flag
- How to Add Custom Parts to SOLIDWORKS Toolbox
- How to Install, Move, or Recreate the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox
- SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Settings Overview
- How to Create a New Default SOLIDWORKS Toolbox or Hole Wizard Folder
- How to Move SOLIDWORKS Toolbox to a Shared Network Directory
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- How to Adjust Annotation Formatting and Spacing
- How to turn off drawing detail mode data
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - DRAWINGS
- Apply Sheet Format to New Sheets Automatically
- Difference Between Drawing Templates and Sheet Formats
- SOLIDWORKS Multi-sheet Custom Properties Source
- How to set the base scale when exporting DXF/DXG Drawings from SOLIDWORKS
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- How to Update SOLIDWORKS File Locations After Upgrading
- SOLIDWORKS Composer Backup Options
- How to create SOLIDWORKS Part, Assembly, and Drawing Templates
- SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
- Utilizing Cloud Storage with SOLIDWORKS
- How to Use Save As with References
- How to Use SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go
- SOLIDWORKS Backup and Recovery System Options
- SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard
- Understanding SOLIDWORKS Settings and Templates
- How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Driver
- SOLIDWORKS Export Formats Explained: STEP vs Parasolid
- SOLIDWORKS Circular References and How to Find Them
- How to Improve SOLIDWORKS Performance Using Feature Freeze
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- Essential SOLIDWORKS Hotkeys and Shortcuts
- SOLIDWORKS Search Routine Order
- Viewing SOLIDWORKS Configurations in eDrawings
- How to Create a Custom Material in SOLIDWORKS
- Accessing Xpress Tools
- How to Enable or Disable SOLIDWORKS Add-ins
- Rebuild Types and How They Work
- Save As Previous SOLIDWORKS Version Files
- SOLIDWORKS 3D Interconnect Options
- SOLIDWORKS How to Display Dimensions as Fractions
- Where Used with SOLIDWORKS File Utilities
- SOLIDWORKS Keyboard/Mouse Shortcut Reference
- Non-Matching Internal ID
- How to Delete Faces in SOLIDWORKS
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- Correcting foreign language characters in the FeatureManager Tree
- Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS CAM. Invalid (inconsistent) license key
- "Error obtaining License (-85, 147, 0)"
- How to Collect CXPAs
- How To Correct The "Default Templates Are Not Valid" Error
- How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
- How To Reset SOLIDWORKS Registry
- How to Restore Dismissed SOLIDWORKS Messages
- Resolution to Common File Location Errors
- Resolve "Sheet Format Could Not Be Located"
- Restore Your File Associations
- How to Troubleshoot Graphical Issues
- Troubleshooting Weldment Cut List Consolidation
- SOLIDWORKS Tech Tip: Correcting Symbol Library Location
- SOLIDWORKS Journal File Could Not Be Created
- SOLIDWORKS login Manager Error and How to Fix It
- CEF for SOLIDWORKS Error and How to Fix It
- SOLIDWORKS Document Manager Library is Invalid and How to Fix It
- How to Find Windows Event Logs for Technical Support
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- SOLIDWORKS RX - The Ultimate CAD Diagnostic Tool
- SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes
- How to Change the SOLIDWORKS Language
- How to Modify the Reference/Update Dialog Dismissal Time
- How to Run SOLIDWORKS with Administrator Permissions
- SOLIDWORKS Educational Resources
- Automate File Exports with Task Scheduler
- Default SOLIDWORKS File Locations
- How to Add Fonts in SOLIDWORKS
- How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - Assemblies
- SOLIDWORKS Performance Evaluation - Parts
- SOLIDWORKS ProgramData Location and Visibility
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3DEXPERIENCE
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- Moving Your Local Work Folder for 3DEXPERIENCE
- 3DEXPERIENCE Local Cache and How to Manage It
- Storing SOLIDWORKS Templates on 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
- How to Delete Files and Objects in 3DEXPERIENCE Collaborative Spaces
- How to Export as 3DEXPERIENCE Package File and Share
- How to Import a Package File with 3DEXPERIENCE Exchange Add-in
- Work Offline in 3DEXPERIENCE
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- How to Use 3DEXPERIENCE Troubleshooting Machine for Web
- 3DEXPERIENCE Connection Status and How to Fix It
- How to Disable 3DEXPERIENCE Login Prompt in SOLIDWORKS
- How To Update Browser Security Settings for 3DEXPERIENCE Launcher
- How To Resolve 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Unable to Retrieve Install Data Error
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PDM
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- PDM License Type Matrix
- PDM Automatic Login Options
- Create Local Vault View Shortcut
- PDM Gray Folders and Local Files
- PDM - What are Private State Files?
- Difference Between Versions and Revisions
- What's The Difference Between PDM Local Version and Revision Variable
- PDM - What are Version Free Variables?
- What is a Drawing Node in PDM?
- Difference Between Delete and Destroy in PDM
- PDM How to Work in Off-line Mode
- How to Install PDM Client Software
- Create Local Vault View
- Create Local PDM Vault View Using .cvs File
- ___SOLIDWORKS PDM / Manage Installation Guide (PDF)
- Install Microsoft SQL 2019 for PDM Professional
- PDM Server Recommendations
- Understanding Save, Check In, and Get Latest Version in SOLIDWORKS PDM
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- How to Use PDM Move Tree
- How to Use PDM Copy Tree
- How To Overwrite Latest PDM Version
- Updating File References in PDM
- Copy and Paste as Reference in PDM
- PDM Branch and Merge Overview
- Selecting Child References Automatically in SOLIDWORKS PDM
- SOLIDWORKS Settings for PDM File Import
- PDM How to Rollback a File to a Previous Version
- PDM Undo Check Out of Files by Other User
- Unable to Delete Files from the PDM Vault
- How to Update Values from a PDM Folder to Multiple Files
- What are Virtual Documents in SOLIDWORKS PDM?
- SOLIDWORKS Strategies for Using the File Version Upgrade Tool (FVUT)
- PDM File Version Upgrade Tool
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - AUTOMATICALLY
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - MANUALLY
- PDM File Version Icons and What They Mean
- How to Determine the Number of Files in PDM
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- Exporting and Importing PDM Vault Settings
- How to Change PDM Date Formatting
- How to Control Get Version Commands
- How to Setup Toolbox in PDM - SOLIDWORKS
- PDM Cold Storage and How To Use It
- PDM Setting Cache Options Automatically
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Warning Settings
- What are PDM File Categories and How to Change Them
- How to Block Log-ins for PDM Vault Maintenance
- Hide When Sibling Parallel Transition is Chosen
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Child Reference State Conditions
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- How to Create a SANDBOX Vault for Testing SOLIDWORKS PDM
- How To Relocate An Existing SOLIDWORKS Vault View To Another Drive
- PDM Upgrade Checklist
- How to Add SOLIDWORKS Routing Library to a PDM Vault
- PDM Vault Size Management Options
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- PDM Administrators: Roles and Responsibilities
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin User Explained (System Administrator)
- How to Export PDM User List
- How to Delete a PDM User Completely
- How to Restore Deleted SOLIDWORKS PDM Users
- Ignore Permissions in Previous States and When to use it
- PDM Web2 Download Permissions
- How to Reset Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin Password
- How to Create New PDM Users
- How to Create New PDM Windows Users
- How to Change PDM Login Type
- How to Change a PDM User Password
- How to Transfer Ownership of PDM Files
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Permissions Required to View Files in a Vault
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- PDM Task List and How to Use It to Monitor Tasks
- How to Clear Pending Tasks in PDM
- How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host
- How to Setup a Dedicated Unattended Task Host
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS PDM Tasks
- How to Resolve “Workflow States Exceeds Permissible Limit” - SOLIDWORKS
- How to Resolve The Current SOLIDWORKS Task Add-in is Unsupported
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- PDM Backup Procedures
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: Moving Server Components - Checklist
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Connectivity Test Tool
- How to Configure the Local HOSTS file to Resolve Server Name
- How to Test PDM Connection with a Ping Test
- Adding a PDM Vault View with a Windows Azure Active Directory Account
- How to reset the SQL password for the PDM Vault SQL Server
- Update Credentials for PDM Archive Server
- Update Credentials for PDM Database Server
- How To Relocate Vault Archive Folders To Another Drive
- How to use PDM Database Upgrade Tool
- Change SQL Server License
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Cleaner Service and How it Works
- How to Create ODBC Connection for SOLIDWORKS PDM Manually
- How to Change SOLIDWORKS PDM Database Recovery Model
- How to Shrink the SOLIDWORKS PDM SQL Transaction Log
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- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-ins
- How to manually install SOLIDWORKS PDM Microsoft Office Add-in
- How to Reregister Add-ins for PDM Clients
- How to Clear Local Cache in a SOLIDWORKS PDM Local Vault View and Why
- How to Change PDM Client License Type after Installation
- How to Perform a Clean Reinstall of SOLIDWORKS PDM Client
- Understanding Differences between PDM Clients
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- SOLIDWORKS PDM Enter a Valid Account for this Resource
- How to Delete or Recreate a Local Vault View
- How to manually remove a disconnected PDM Vault View
- Troubleshooting PDM Notifications
- How to Resolve Invalid Class Error for eDrawings and PDM Preview
- How to Reset Web2 Authentication in IIS
- Common SOLIDWORKS PDM License Errors and How to Resolve Them
- How to Identify Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Infrastructure
- SOLIDWORKS PDM File Remains Read-Only After Check Out
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Simulation
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- Do I Need Non-linear Simulation?
- How to Choose a SOLIDWORKS Simulation Solver
- Getting Started with Simulation
- Important Mesh Theory to Accurately Run your Finite Element Analysis Simulations
- Is SOLIDWORKS Simulation Accurate?
- Which Type of Elements Should I Use?
- SOLIDWORKS Simulation Meshing Guide
- The Basics of Setting Up a Study in Simulation
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- Setting Up Default Options for SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- Submodeling Studies – The What, Why, & How of Using Them in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to add Hydrostatic Load
- What To Do When you get the “Excessive Displacement” Warning in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Create Temperature Dependent Custom Materials in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Duplicate and Reuse Simulation Study Data
- How to Export Flow Simulation Results to Import into FEA
- Automatically Refine Your Mesh Using H-adaptive Meshing | SOLIDWORKS
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SOLIDWORKS and PDM System Requirements
Updated September 4th, 2025
These requirements apply to all SOLIDWORKS products except where noted. Use this information to ensure you are always working with a SOLIDWORKS-supported and optimized system for hardware, operating system, and Microsoft products.
SOLIDWORKS
| Operating System | SOLIDWORKS 2024 | SOLIDWORKS 2025 | SOLIDWORKS 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows 11, 64-bit | |||||
| Windows 10, 64-bit | |||||
| Virtual Environments | |||||
Note: Windows Home Editions and Windows To Go are not supported.
| Hardware | SOLIDWORKS 2024 | SOLIDWORKS 2025) | SOLIDWORKS 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | |||||
| RAM | ECC RAM recommended PDM Contributor/Viewer or Electrical Schematic: 8 GB or more (16 GB recommended) |
||||
| Graphics Card | |||||
| Drives | |||||
| Software | SOLIDWORKS 2024 | SOLIDWORKS 2025 | SOLIDWORKS 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint (64-bit recommended) | 2024 (SW2025 SP3) |
(End of Life: SW 2025) |
|||
| Antivirus | |||||
3DEXPERIENCE Platform – Cloud Eligibility Tool
We highly recommend downloading and running the 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Eligibility Tool to check the compatibility of your environment with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to ensure you are ready to run 3DEXPERIENCE platform on your computer.
SOLIDWORKS PDM Server Products and SNL Manager
| Operating Systems | SOLIDWORKS 2024 | SOLIDWORKS 2025 | SOLIDWORKS 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windows Server 2025 | (SW2025 SP3) |
||
| Windows Server 2022 | |||
| Windows Server 2019 |
| Microsoft SQL | SOLIDWORKS 2024 | SOLIDWORKS 2025 | SOLIDWORKS 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SQL 2025 | |||
| SQL 2022 | |||
| SQL 2019 | SQL 2019 CU22 required |
SQL 2019 CU22 required |
SQL 2019 CU22 required (End of life: SW 2026) |
| SQL 2017 |
eDrawings for Mac
| OS | SOLIDWORKS 2024 | SOLIDWORKS 2025 | SOLIDWORKS 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| macOS Tahoe (26.0) | |||
| macOS Sequoia (15.0) | (End of Life: eDrawings 2027) |
||
| macOS Sonoma (14.0) | (End of Life: eDrawings 2026) |
||
| macOS Ventura (13.0) | |||
| macOS Monterey (12.0) |
Apple Mac machines running Windows using Boot Camp are not supported.
Hypervisors (Virtual Environments)
| Environment | SOLIDWORKS 2024 | SOLIDWORKS 2025 | SOLIDWORKS 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMware vSphere ESXi | |||
| VMware Workstation | |||
| Microsoft Hyper-V | |||
| Parallels Desktop, Mac | |||
| Cirtix XenServer |
- SOLIDWORKS and eDrawings require a GPU for optimal performance in a virtualized environment. SOLIDWORKS has tested and certified graphics cards for virtualized environments. For a complete listing, check Certified Cards and Drivers.
- Check Hardware Benchmarks for applications and references that can be used to help determine hardware performance.
- SOLIDWORKS Composer is not supported in virtualized environments.
Antivirus Products
Guidelines to help ensure SOLIDWORKS installation success and optimal runtime performance .
- Use a trusted antivirus product.
- Keep your antivirus product updated to the latest version.
- Stay updated with the latest antivirus definition/signature file (This defines the known current vulnerabilities and exemptions).
- Consider creating exemptions for SOLIDWORKS file types and folder locations to improve SOLIDWORKS file-based runtime performance such as File Open/Save/Save As and PDM Vault Checkin/Checkout.
- If you encounter install or runtime errors or warnings from your antivirus product, feel free to reach out to MLC CAD Systems technical support.
Microsoft/Apple Products Support Lifecycle (SOLIDWORKS 2024-2026)
| Products | Start of Support | End of Support |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11, 64-bit | SW 2022 SP2 | Active |
| Windows 10, 64-bit | SW 2015 SP5 | SW 2025 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2025 | SW 2025 SP3 | Active |
| Windows Server 2022 | SW 2022 SP4 | SW 2028 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2019 | SW 2019 SP3 | SW 2025 SP5 |
| SQL Server 2025 | To be announced | To be announced |
| SQL Server 2022 | SW 2023 SP0 | Active |
| SQL Server 2019 | SW 2020 SP0 | SW 2026 SP5 |
| SQL Server 2017 | SW 2018 SP0 | SW 2024 SP5 |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2024 (64-bit recommended) | SW 2025 SP2 | Active |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2021 (64-bit recommended) | SW 2022 SP2 | SW 2026 SP5 |
| macOS Tahoe (26.0) | To be announced | To be announced |
| macOS Sequoia (15.0) | eDrawings 2025 | eDrawings 2027 |
| macOS Sonoma (14.0) | eDrawings 2024 | eDrawings 2026 |
| macOS Ventura (13.0) | eDrawings 2023 | eDrawings 2025 |
| macOS Monterey (12.0) | eDrawings 2022 | eDrawings 2024 |
- 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 recommends using the latest Microsoft update of Windows and Office.
- 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.
- Apple Mac machines running Windows using Boot Camp are not supported.
- 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 your Reseller.
Microsoft/Apple Products Support Lifecycle (SOLIDWORKS 2023 and older)
| Products | Start of Support | End of Support |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 8.1, 64-bit | SW 2014 SP1 | SW 2018 SP5 |
| Windows 7, 64-bit | SW 2010 SP1 | SW 2020 SP5 |
| Windows 7, 32-bit | SW 2010 SP1 | SW 2014 SP5 |
| Windows Vista, 64-bit | SW 2008 SP3.1 | SW 2013 SP5 |
| Windows Vista, 32-bit | SW 2008 SP0 | SW 2013 SP5 |
| Windows XP, 64-bit | SW 2006 SP4 | SW 2012 SP5 |
| Windows XP, 32-bit | SW 2001 Plus SP0 | SW 2013 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2016 | SW 2017 SP2 | SW 2023 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2012 R2 | SW 2014 SP3 | SW 2019 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2012 | SW 2014 SP0 | SW 2018 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2008 R2, SP1 | SW 2009 | SW 2017 SP5 |
| Windows Server 2008 | SW 2008 | SW 2014 SP5 |
| SQL Server 2016 | SW 2017 SP0 | SW 2023 SP5 |
| SQL Server 2014 | SW 2015 SP0 | SW 2021 SP5 |
| SQL Server 2012 | SW 2013 SP2 | SW 2019 SP5 |
| SQL Server 20008 R2 | SW 2010 SP4 | SW 2017 SP5 |
| IE 11 | SW 2014 SP3 | Ended |
| IE 10 | SW 2013 SP0 | SW 2016 SP5 |
| IE 9 | SW 2011 SP4 | SW 2015 SP5 |
| IE 8 | SW 2009 SP5 | SW 2014 SP5 |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2019 (64-bit recommended) | SW 2019 SP2 | SW 2023 SP5 |
| Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2016 (64-bit recommended) | SW 2016 SP3 | SW 2023 SP5 |
| Word, Excel 2013 | SW 2013 SP4 | SW 2020 SP5 |
| Word, Excel 2010 | SW 2010 SP5 | SW 2018 SP5 |
| Word, Excel 2007 | SW 2008 SP1 | SW 2014 SP5 |
| macOS Big Surf (11.0) | eDrawings 2021 | eDrawings 2023 |
| macOS Catalina (10.15) | eDrawings 2020 | eDrawings 2022 |
| macOS Mojave (10.14) | eDrawings 2019 | eDrawings 2021 |
| macOS High Sierra (10.12) | eDrawings 2019 | eDrawings 2020 |
| macOS Sierra (10.12) | eDrawings 2017 | eDrawings 2019 |
| OS X EI Capitan (10.11) | eDrawings 2017 | eDrawings 2018 |
| OS Y Yosemite (10.10) | eDrawings 2015 | eDrawings 2018 |
Get help from our team by Calling us at 800-364-1652. You can also get assistance by clicking the Technical Support button or the Email Our Experts button below.
Last Updated On
byRick Braine
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