.. _geoserver.install.gs_install:

Installing GeoServer
--------------------

The easiest way to install GeoServer on the Windows platform is with the .exe install. This section covers the task of installing GeoServer on Windows via the Windows installer.

#. Navigate to the workshop :file:`software` directory.

#. Run the GeoServer installer by *double-clicking* the file named :file:`geoserver-1.7.6.exe`, or alternatively by *right-clicking* and selecting :guilabel:`Open`.

   .. figure:: gs_install1.jpg

      Running the GeoServer installer

#. Click :guilabel:`Next` on the installer :guilabel:`Welcome` screen.

#. Ensure the JDK installed in the previous section is detected and click :guilabel:`OK`.

   .. figure:: gs_install2.jpg
      :width: 650

      Verifying the JDK used to run GeoServer

   .. note::  This location should match the location of the JDK installed in the previous section.

#. Accept the :guilabel:`License Agreement` and continue to work through the rest of the installer accepting the default values.

   .. figure:: gs_install3.jpg

      Specifying the GeoServer installation directory

   .. figure:: gs_install4.jpg

      Specifying the GeoServer data directory

   .. note::  The **Data Directory** is a location that GeoServer uses to store data such as shapefiles, raster files, and database connection information. It also contains other configuration that controls how GeoServer behaves. 

   .. figure:: gs_install5.jpg

      Specifying the start up menu folder

#. Exit the installer by clicking **Finish**.

At this point GeoServer should be installed and fully functional. In the :ref:`next <geoserver.install.gs_run>` section the installation will be verified by starting up the server.
