Chapter 2. Installing MiKTeX

Table of Contents

Installation Instructions
Prerequisites
Choosing an installation size
Shared vs. private installation
Installing a basic MiKTeX system
Installing a complete MiKTeX system
Items in the Start Menu
Removing MiKTeX

Installation Instructions

Prerequisites

MiKTeX 2.7 requires one of the following Windows operating systems:

  • Windows Vista

  • Windows Server 2003

  • Windows XP

  • Windows 2000

Please note that MiKTeX 2.7 does not work on legacy Windows platforms (Windows 9x/Me/NT).

Choosing an installation size

You can choose between two installation sizes:

Basic MiKTeX

A basic MiKTeX installation which gets you started.

Complete MiKTeX

A complete MiKTeX installation.

Choose Basic MiKTeX, if you have to download over a slow Internet connection, or if you want to conserve disk space. MiKTeX can be configured to install missing components in the course of use.

Shared vs. private installation

You have the option to create a shared MiKTeX installation. Use this option if you are the administrator of your computer and if you want to install MiKTeX for all users. This option is not available if you are logged into a limited user account.

Installing a basic MiKTeX system

Get the “Basic MiKTeX Installer” (basic-miktex-2.7.xxxx.exe) from the download page and run it.

Installing a complete MiKTeX system

Get the MiKTeX Net Installer (setup-2.7.xxxx.exe) from the download page. You will use the installer to download the complete MiKTeX distribution. Once you have downoaded the distribution, you can install it.

Task #1: Download the complete MiKTeX distribution

Start the MiKTeX Net Installer and choose Download MiKTeX on the task page. You will be prompted to choose an installation size (choose Complete MiKTeX), a download source and a destination directory.

[Tip]Tip

You should use a download source which is located in the proximity of you.

Depending on your Internet connection, the download can take several hours to complete. If something goes wrong, you can resume the download operation by starting the MiKTeX Net Installer again.

Task #2: Install MiKTeX

Once the download operation is complete, you are ready to install MiKTeX: start Windows Explorer and browse to the directory which contains the complete MiKTeX distribution (see previous section). Lookout for a file named setup. This is the MiKTeX setup application. Start setup by double-clicking its icon.