Buying a license for today is challenging because Dassault Systèmes primarily sells current versions through a subscription model. Because licenses are typically non-transferable and tied to specific companies or subscription accounts, finding a "used" copy is rarely a viable or legal option.
You may see "used" copies on sites like eBay or Craigslist, but these carry significant risks:
The only guaranteed legal way to get older versions of SOLIDWORKS is through a .
: Buying a PC with the software already installed is a security risk as the machine is not formatted and cannot be updated. System Compatibility for 2016
If you do obtain 2016, ensure your hardware matches these requirements: How to Buy SOLIDWORKS
: If the software crashes or your hardware changes, you will have no way to restore or reactivate the license without official reseller support.
: You must contact a local reseller to see if they can provide installation media and activation for a version as old as 2016.