How to run SOLIDWORKS 2015 SP4.0 and earlier versions in Windows 10

This article describes how to run SOLIDWORKS in compatibility mode.

SOLIDWORKS 2015 SP4.0 and earlier versions are not supported in the Windows 10 environment. We can work around this software limitation by running SOLIDWORKS in compatibility mode.

If you have not installed SOLIDWORKS yet, please follow the steps directly below. If you already have SOLIDWORKS installed, please follow the steps in the next section. 

SOLIDWORKS Not Yet Installed  

1. Locate setup.exe. This can be found in your installation disc or your SOLIDWORKS download location usually at C:\Documents\SolidWorks Downloads\SOLIDWORKS 2015 x64 SP04.
2. Right-click on 'setup.exe'
3. Select Properties

4. Select the Compatibility tab
5. Check the option for “Run this program in compatibility mode for”
6. Select a supported Windows operating system corresponding to the version of SOLIDWORKS installed. More information on supported operating systems can be found here: http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html.

7. Click Ok 

SOLIDWORKS Already Installed

1. Right-click on the SOLIDWORKS shortcut icon on your desktop
2. Select Properties

3. Select the Compatibility tab
4. Check the option for “Run this program in compatibility mode for”
5. Select a supported Windows operating system corresponding to the version of SOLIDWORKS installed. More information on supported operating systems can be found here: http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/SystemRequirements.html.

6. Click Ok

You should now be able to run SOLIDWORKS with Windows 10 as your operating system.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, or if any errors are encountered during this process, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at support@hawkridgesys.com.