To get started, there are a few steps that must be taken to access the pertinent installation files for download:

To download the files:

1.Log in to our Client portal: https://portal.phdwin.com/ a.If you have not logged in to our client portal previously, click Request Access to register as a new user.

2.Click the Downloads

3.Click on Download PHDwin V3.

Installing PHDwin & SQL Server

To Install PHDwin

Installation Overview

1.Open windows explorer and go to the Downloads folder (or the location where you saved the installation file.)

2.Double-click on the file named PHDwin_3.1_Setup.exe to begin the installation process.

3.You will get a prompt asking if the program can make changes to the computer, click Yes.

4.The install wizard checks your computer for any missing component that needs to be installed. More information about this error message can be found in the Troubleshooting section.

5.If you are not missing any components or have installed them and restarted the installation, click Next to continue.

6.You will be required to read and Accept the terms of the license agreement in order to continue, and click Next.

7.You can choose the destination folder for the application – it is recommended to leave it at the default location and click Next.

8.Click Install to begin the installation of PHDwin.

9.Once the installation is complete, you can click Next to begin the optional installation of SQL Server.

To Install SQL Server Express

1.The bundled MS SQL Server setup lists any local instances of SQL Server found on the computer and ask if you’d like to install a new instance of Microsoft SQL Server Express 2019.

2.Choose one of the following options:

Installation Overview

a.Yes, continue with the basic install – recommended for most users. This installs a new instance of SQL Server Express 2019. The account that is logged in will be set up as a system administrator. The instance name will be “PHDWIN”

b.Yes, but I would like to configure the options myself (not recommended) – this option will install a new instance of SQL Server Express 2019 and is only recommended for advanced users with knowledge of Microsoft SQL Server. You will be required to name the instance and specify the system administrators.

c.No, I already have an instance to use or will download and install my own instance You should only choose this option if one of the following is also true:

oYou prefer to install a different version of SQL Server. The install file will install an instance of Microsoft SQL Server Express 2019. PHDwin is compatible with Microsoft SQL Server (or SQL Server Express) 2012, however, we recommend using version 2019 or newer.

Installation Overview

oYou plan to install SQL server’s database engine on a network server. This can be useful if multiple users would like to log into the same database.

oYou are just updating your build of PHDwin and do not need another instance of SQL Server.

3.If you selected either of the Yes options, check the box to accept the MS SQL Server license agreement.

4.Click Next

a.If you have chosen the custom install, you will be required to configure all options. Otherwise, just wait for the installation of SQL Server 2019 to finish, as there are no additional steps required.

b.Click OK when the SQL Installation is completed.

5.Click Done.

After PHDwin and SQL Server are installed, you should license the program and then log in and create a new database.

You can install and run multiple versions (or builds within a version) on one machine. If you have PHDwin installed already, you can view it’s Version and Build number from the Login Screen: If you run the installation file for a higher build number than the currently installed build, it will automatically overwrite the existing build. For example, if you currently have PHDwin 3.1.12 and run the 3.1.13 installation file, it will overwrite the 3.1.12 installation.

How Do I Install Multiple Versions of PHDwin?

If you would like to install multiple Versions of PHDwin, for example, Version 3.1 Build 26 and Version 3.2 Build 1, they will automatically be installed to separate directories for you. However, each build/version of PHDwin needs to be linked to a separate SQL Instance version. It does not matter the order in which you install them. You can run the installer as normal, just do not change the location of the installation directory. In fact, if you want to get rid of a previous Version of PHDwin after installing a new one, you will have to uninstall it through the control panel.

How Do I Install Multiple Builds (Within the Same Version) of PHDwin?

If you would like to install multiple Builds with the same Version Number, for example, Version 3.1 Build 12 and Version 3.1 Build 13, follow the steps below.

1.Run the installation file for the build with the highest Build number, for this example, Build 13.

Note: if you previously had an earlier Build installed, such as Build 11 or 12, it will overwrite this. You do not have control over that.

2.Run the installation file for the build with the lower build number, for this example, build 12.

a.During the installation for build 12, you need to specify a separate installation directory.