MiKTeX Download and Setup Guide for Windows
Date Published
MiKTeX: LaTeX for Windows
MiKTeX is the most popular LaTeX distribution for Windows.
What is MiKTeX?
MiKTeX provides:
- LaTeX compilers (pdfLaTeX, XeLaTeX, LuaLaTeX) - Package manager for adding features - Integrated package installation - Regular updates
Downloading MiKTeX
Official Download
1. Visit miktex.org 2. Click "Download" 3. Choose your installer: - Basic Installer (~200MB) — installs packages on demand - Net Installer (~3GB) — complete installation
Recommended: Basic Installer
Smaller download, installs packages as you need them.
Installation Steps
1. Run the Installer
Double-click the downloaded file.
2. Accept License
Read and accept the license agreement.
3. Choose Installation Type
- Current User — just for you - All Users — requires admin rights
4. Select Settings
- Install missing packages: Recommended "Yes" - Preferred paper size: Letter (US) or A4 (international)
5. Complete Installation
Click Install and wait for completion.
After Installation
MiKTeX Console
The control center for MiKTeX:
- Update packages - Install new packages - Check for updates - Configure settings
First Document
Test your installation:
1. Create a file test.tex 2. Add basic LaTeX content 3. Compile with pdflatex
Package Management
Automatic Installation
MiKTeX installs packages when needed. First compilation may be slower.
Manual Installation
Via MiKTeX Console:
1. Open MiKTeX Console 2. Go to Packages 3. Search for package 4. Click Install
Command Line
mpm --install packagename
Updating MiKTeX
Check for Updates
MiKTeX Console → Updates → Check for updates
Update All
MiKTeX Console → Updates → Update now
Keep Updated
Enable automatic updates in Settings.
Choosing an Editor
MiKTeX installs TeXworks by default. Other options:
- TeXstudio — feature-rich - VS Code — for developers - Texmaker — cross-platform - Octree — online with AI
Common Issues
Package Not Found
Enable "Install missing packages on-the-fly"
Path Issues
Restart computer after installation
Update Errors
Run MiKTeX Console as administrator
MiKTeX vs. TeX Live
Alternative: Online LaTeX
Skip installation entirely:
- Use Octree in your browser - No setup required - Works on any computer - AI-assisted writing
Try it at https://useoctree.com