--- title: Does SOLIDWORKS PDM and SOLIDWORKS CAD need to be on the same version to run together? description: We recommend keeping SOLIDWORKS CAD and PDM on the same major version, but we understand that sometimes you need to use older versions of SOLIDWORKS when interfacing with your customers and partners. --- [Skip to content](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/does-solidworks-pdm-and-solidworks-cad-need-to-be-on-the-same-version-to-run-together#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![MECAD Systems Logo - Original 2](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png?width=190&height=60&name=MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png)](https://mecad.co.za/) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. 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[SOLIDWORKS PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-pdm?hsLang=en) # Does SOLIDWORKS PDM and SOLIDWORKS CAD need to be on the same version to run together? **SOLIDWORKS PDM must be the same version as, or newer than, your SOLIDWORKS CAD installation.** While we recommend keeping CAD and PDM on the same major version, PDM can be a newer version than CAD when you need to support older CAD versions for compatibility with customers and partners. - [SOLIDWORKS PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-pdm?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS CAM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-cam?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Visualize](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-visualize?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#solidworks-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Electrical](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-electrical?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Inspection](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-inspection?hsLang=en) - [General FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [BOM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#bom) - [Sheet Metal](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#sheet-metal) - [Files](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#files) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#pdm) - [Weldments](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#weldments) - [Assembly](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#assembly) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#installation) - [SolidWorks Standalone License](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#solidworks-standalone-license) - [File Locations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#file-locations) - [Certifications](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#certifications) - [3DEXPERIENCE Platform](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#faq) - [Updates](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#updates) - [SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Activation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#activation) - [Tips & Tricks](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#tips-tricks) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#installation) - [Custom](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#custom) - [Configurations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#configurations) - [Drawings](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#drawings) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#pdm) - [Assemblies](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#assemblies) - [SOLIDWORKS Gold Products](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products?hsLang=en#main-content) - [myCADtools](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products?hsLang=en#mycadtools) - [Licensing FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [July 2023 SOLIDWORKS License & Subscription Changes](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq?hsLang=en#july-2023-solidworks-license-subscription-changes) - [DraftSight](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/draftsight?hsLang=en) - [MECAD Events](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/mecad-events?hsLang=en#main-content) - [MECAD Accelerate](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/mecad-events?hsLang=en#mecad-accelerate) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - [Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Request a quote](https://mecad.co.za/request-a-quote/) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/download.png?width=137&height=24&name=download.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://mecad.co.za/) **Centurion Offices** Rosehip Office Park, 29 Landmarks Ave, Kosmosdal Ext 11, Samrand Centurion Gauteng +27 12 645 4300   **Cape Town Offices** Unit E1, Centurion Business Park, Cnr Bosmansdam & Democracy Road, Milnerton Cape Town, Western Cape +27 21 555 1513   **Durban Offices** Fairway Green Office Park, Gardenia House, 3 Abrey Road, Kloof Durban KwaZulu-Natal +27 31 764 7658 [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com) Copyright © 2025, MECAD