Operating system stability is essential, and Windows 10 or 11 Pro is the standard OS for most SolidWorks users due to its compatibility with engineering software and enterprise features. System drivers, especially GPU drivers, must be kept up to date and often require versions specifically certified by Dassault Systèmes. It’s common to disable unnecessary background processes and tweak system settings to reduce resource usage and maximize SolidWorks’ performance.
For team environments and collaborative design, networking and connectivity become essential. Workstations must support fast, reliable Ethernet or Wi-Fi connections for transferring large files, using PDM (Product Data Management) systems, or accessing shared libraries. Thunderbolt and USB-C ports are increasingly important for high-speed data transfer and connecting to modern peripherals or external GPUs. Cloud-based backups and remote access tools are also integrated into many professional setups.