Fusion 360 Announcing End of Support for Windows 7
It's been swell, Windows 7, but it's time to go our separate ways.
Microsoft has announced the end of support for Windows 7 to take place on January 14th, 2020. From this date forward, Microsoft will cease technical assistance and development for Windows 7.
What does end of support mean for Windows 7 and Fusion 360?
Fusion 360 will continue to work on Windows 7 after the 14th, however, Autodesk will no longer consider Windows 7 for validation, bug fixing, and product support of future releases. At this time, future releases of Fusion 360 will not be blocked from installing on Windows 7, but compatibility and support will not be guaranteed for this platform moving forward.
Why is Autodesk ending support for Windows 7?
End of support applies not just to end users, but application development, too. It is difficult to ensure quality and functionality on a platform that is no longer receiving the latest security and feature updates utilized by newer versions of Windows.
Despite worldwide popularity, Windows 7 represents a single-digit percent of Fusion 360 installations - the vast majority are on Windows 10. Autodesk is committed to providing the best possible experience with the latest operating systems supported by Microsoft and Apple.
Can I upgrade my existing device to Windows 10?
This will depend on the specific device hardware and software installed. Please see the Windows 10 Upgrade FAQ for more information.
My current device cannot run a newer version of Windows - what requirements should I look for in a new device?
While complex assemblies and high resolutions will benefit from a dedicated graphics card, extra RAM, and a multi-core processor, it's worth noting that modern ultraportable laptops and integrated graphics are generally capable of basic modelling and even rendering operations in Fusion 360.
Chances are, if a device can run your favorite game, it can probably run Fusion 360. If it struggles to browse the internet, it's probably not going to cut it for CAD, either, be it Fusion 360 or any process of similar resource demand.
Will integrated graphics be sufficient? Do I need workstation-grade components?
Workstation-grade chipsets like Nvidia Quadro, AMD Radeon/Ryzen Pro, Intel Xeon series are often certified that they work flawlessly with industry standard modelling and rendering software, such as Inventor, Maya, and Revit, and the higher price point reflects the level of validation and support required for mission-critical business operations. This is not to say that gaming-grade or uncertified hardware won't work for CAD, merely that it hasn't been tested or targeted for optimization with CAD operations.
For many users, Fusion 360 is their first CAD software experience. They've got MacBooks, ultrabooks, home-built gaming machines, and everything in between. Consumer hardware configurations vary significantly more than those in professional settings, so it can be difficult to guarantee every single configuration will work in the way "workstation parts" will. That said, many users run Fusion 360 on Intel UHD, Nvidia GeForce, and AMD Radeon hardware on the latest drivers without issue.
You can learn more about Fusion 360 system requirements here.
What versions of Windows are supported?
Microsoft is committed to supporting Windows 8.1 until January 10, 2023.
As of writing, Microsoft currently supports Windows 10 builds 1709 through 1909; Windows Insider Preview builds are not supported
Windows 10 introduces the Semi-Annual Release update cycle, replacing the "Service Pack" model used in previous versions of Windows. A Semi-Annual release is generally supported for 1-2 years, after which users must update to a newer release to maintain support. To learn more, please see the Windows Lifestyle Fact Sheet.
I use macOS - does this news affect me?
No, but it's worth noting that Apple traditionally supports their 3 most-recent major releases; the release of macOS 10.15 Catalina effectively signals the end of support for 10.12 Sierra. Users on 10.12 will see an informational banner reminding them to upgrade to the latest version through the App Store, as compatibility and support will not be guaranteed for 10.12 Sierra. To learn more about updating your Mac, please see the macOS User Guide.
