Problem

This article goes over the SOLIDWORKS Tools Considerations for multiple installations of SOLIDWORKS.

Solution 1: PDM

If you are running SOLIDWORKS PDM, you will want to ensure that it is the same year or higher than the highest version of SOLIDWORKS, as putting SOLIDWORKS files into the Vault that are newer than the Vault can cause file corruption.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional 2026 supports SOLIDWORKS Design 2026, SOLIDWORKS 2025, and SOLIDWORKS 2024. SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard 2026 supports SOLIDWORKS Design 2026 only. The combination of a newer version of SOLIDWORKS Design and an older version of SOLIDWORKS PDM is not supported

For the latest information on what is supported, check out the SOLIDWORKS PDM Release Notes from the SOLIDWORKS Administrative Guide Website: Administration Guides | MySolidWorks

Solution 2: Electrical

SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic can only have one version year installed. If you are going to be using SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D Professional with Routing, you will need to ensure that regular SOLIDWORKS is the same version year as Electrical 3D design and install Electrical Schematic at that year version.

For additional resources on best practices & considerations for multiple versions of SOLIDWORKS, check out these articles:

Best Practices for Multiple Installs of SOLIDWORKS – Hawk Ridge Systems

Graphics Card Driver Best Practices for Multiple Installations of SOLIDWORKS – Hawk Ridge Systems

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.