Is SOLIDWORKS 2021 backwards compatible?

Can you open old SOLIDWORKS file in new version?

When you open one or more documents that are not yet saved in the current version of SOLIDWORKS, click Older Version File (Standard toolbar) to update the documents. The Save Modified Documents dialog box appears. Search ‘Older Version File’ in the SOLIDWORKS Knowledge Base.

Can you save SOLIDWORKS to an older version?

You cannot do a save as to an earlier version, and you cannot open the newer version with an older version of SOLIDWORKS, with one exception. You can open part and assembly files in read-only mode in Service Pack 5 of the previous release.

Are SOLIDWORKS files forward compatible?

SOLIDWORKS forward compatibility doesn’t exist due to the ever evolving software package. Every year SOLIDWORKS enhances their software with new tools or performance enhancements. Once a file gets saved with this new tech, it becomes locked, and this version can no longer be opened in previous releases.

Can I open SOLIDWORKS 2020 in 2021?

The Previous Release Interoperability functionality allows 2021 parts and assemblies to be opened in SOLIDWORKS 2020 SP5, with limited functionality.

Is SOLIDWORKS 2020 backwards compatible?

SOLIDWORKS is solid modeling CAD (computer-aided design) software that runs on 64-bit Microsoft Windows. Important: Files saved in SOLIDWORKS 2021 are not backwards compatible with earlier versions. Files saved in earlier versions of SOLIDWORKS can be opened and reviewed with later versions.

Can SOLIDWORKS 2021 Save As older version?

You cannot use Save As to save to an earlier version, and you cannot open the newer version with an older version of the SOLIDWORKS software, with one exception. You can open part and assembly files in read-only mode in Service Pack 5 of the previous release.

How do I save a SOLIDWORKS drawing in lower version?

The procedure is as simple as that:

1. File -> Save As -> SOLIDWORKS 2014(. bkwprt) (at some version 2016 – 2014)
2. File -> Open -> filename. bkwprt (at an older version)

What is the latest service pack for SOLIDWORKS 2020?

Service Pack 5.0



Microsoft SQL Server^® 2019 is supported beginning with SOLIDWORKS 2020 and SOLIDWORKS PDM 2020.

How do I update SOLIDWORKS to 2020?

In Windows, click Start > Programs > SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager > Check for Updates. In SOLIDWORKS, click Help > Check for Updates.

How can I tell what version of SOLIDWORKS I have?

You can access the file version from SOLIDWORKS Explorer, Enterprise PDM file properties, and from File > Properties in an open SOLIDWORKS document. The version is also visible in the Details pane in Windows Explorer when you select a SOLIDWORKS document.

Is SOLIDWORKS PDM backward compatible?

SOLIDWORKS License Manager is only backward compatible, meaning it is possible to run SOLIDWORKS 2017 on a license server that has been updated to a 2019 version, but not the other way around.

What is SOLIDWORKS compatible with?

SOLIDWORKS supports each Windows 10 release for applicable SOLIDWORKS releases as long as it is still covered by both the SOLIDWORKS Product Support Lifecycle and Microsoft Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet. SOLIDWORKS recommends using a Windows Server operating system for all SOLIDWORKS server-based products.

Can you save backwards in SOLIDWORKS?

NO! It is not possible to save files with all history to an older version. The only way to open newer files is one version backwards from this, where we save the peaks.