Microsoft Windows 8.0

All SOLIDWORKS 2016 products will not install on Windows 8.0. You must upgrade from Windows 8.0 to Windows 8.1. For current supported operating systems, see System Requirements.

32-Bit Operating Systems

SOLIDWORKS 2014 was the last release that supported the Windows 7 32-bit operating system. SOLIDWORKS 2016 products will not install on the Windows 7 32-bit operating system.

Microsoft Access Database

SOLIDWORKS 2015 was the last release that supported Microsoft Access Databases.

SOLIDWORKS Server Products

SOLIDWORKS 2016 products will not install on Windows Server® 2003 and 2008 operating systems.

SOLIDWORKS Viewer

SOLIDWORKS Viewer is replaced by eDrawings® Viewer 2016. eDrawings Viewer 2016 is available on 64-bit operating systems only. For current supported operating systems, see System Requirements. The SOLIDWORKS 2014 Viewer will remain available for download, but will not open SOLIDWORKS 2015 and later models.

COSMOSM

SOLIDWORKS 2015 was the last release that supported COSMOSM. After the release of SOLIDWORKS 2015 SP5, COSMOSM will no longer be enhanced or supported.

Retired Functionality

As of SOLIDWORKS 2015, you cannot save a model as Universal 3D file format. The File > Save as type Universal 3D (*.u3d) is removed.

Installation
Installation DVDs

SOLIDWORKS 2015 is distributed on two DVDs. The Installation Manager will prompt you to insert SOLIDWORKS Disk #2, if needed