Introduction
Installing SOLIDWORKS on a Mac is not a standard procedure as SOLIDWORKS is primarily designed to run on Windows. However, you can use solutions such as Boot Camp or virtualisation environments to run Windows on your Mac, and then install SOLIDWORKS in that Windows environment.
These solutions do not work on M1 and M2 processors. In this case, ask your teacher for a VM.
Installation using Boot Camp
Step 1: Verification of system requirements
Make sure that your Mac meets the minimum system requirements to run SOLIDWORKS. You can find this information on the SOLIDWORKS website.
Step 2: Installing Boot Camp
Open the "Boot Camp Assistant" application on your Mac (you can find it in the Utilities folder within the Applications folder).
Follow the instructions to create a Windows partition on your hard drive and install Windows.
Step 3: Installation of Windows
- Once Boot Camp has created the Windows partition, restart your Mac.
- Insert a Windows installation disc or use a Windows installation USB drive.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows on the Boot Camp partition.
Step 4: Installing SOLIDWORKS on Windows
- Once Windows is installed, start your Mac under Windows by holding down the "Option" key during startup.
- Log in to Windows and install the Boot Camp drivers provided by Apple to ensure hardware compatibility.
- Go to the SOLIDWORKS website and download the version of SOLIDWORKS that you wish to install. You will need a valid SOLIDWORKS licence.
- Run the SOLIDWORKS installer under Windows and follow the instructions to install it on your system.
Step 5: Activation of SOLIDWORKS
When you launch SOLIDWORKS for the first time, you will be prompted to activate the software. Follow the steps to activate SOLIDWORKS using your licence.
Installation using a virtual machine (VirtualBox)
Step 1: Downloading VirtualBox
Open your web browser and go to the official VirtualBox website : https://www.virtualbox.org/
Download the version of VirtualBox for macOS and follow the instructions to install it.
Step 2: Downloading Windows ISO
You will need a Windows ISO file to create a virtual machine. You can download a Windows ISO image from the Microsoft website: https://www.microsoft.com/fr-fr/software-download/windows10
Step 3: Creating a Windows Virtual Machine
- Lancez VirtualBox.
- Cliquez sur "Nouvelle" pour créer une nouvelle machine virtuelle.
- Suivez l'assistant de création de machine virtuelle. Lorsqu'il vous demande de spécifier la version de Windows, choisissez celle qui correspond à votre version ISO.
- Allouez suffisamment de mémoire RAM et d'espace disque pour la machine virtuelle en fonction des exigences de SOLIDWORKS.
- Une fois la machine virtuelle créée, sélectionnez-la dans la liste des machines virtuelles et cliquez sur "Paramètres".
Step 4: Configuration of the virtual machine
- In the virtual machine settings, go to the "Storage" section.
- Click on the empty optical drive (CD/DVD) icon, then select "Choose a virtual optical disc file".
- Select the Windows ISO file that you have downloaded.
- Start the virtual machine by clicking on the "Start" button in VirtualBox.
Step 5: Installing Windows in the virtual machine
The virtual machine starts from the Windows ISO file.
Follow the Windows installation instructions inside the virtual machine, selecting "Install now" when prompted.
Enter the Windows product key when prompted.
Follow the installation steps for Windows until it is completely installed.
Step 6: Installing SOLIDWORKS in the Windows virtual machine
Once Windows is installed in the virtual machine, log in to Windows.
Visit the SOLIDWORKS website, download the version of SOLIDWORKS you wish to install, and follow the instructions to install it in the Windows virtual machine.