JMRI: Setup

# JMRI®: Setup

## General Installation

- Installation
- Starting JMRI
- Setting Preferences
- Fixing Problems

### Installation

Full instructions for installing JMRI on different platforms can be found here:

- Windows
- Mac OS X
- Linux
  - Raspberry Pi

JMRI® requires that Java be installed:

- Version 2.12 can run on any computer system that will run Java 1.5 through Java 8 (also known as Java 1.8).
- Version 2.14.1 requires Java 1.5 (or Java 1.6 to support for drag & drop) through Java 8.
- Version 3.10.1 requires Java 1.7 through Java 8.
- Version 4.2 and later requires Java 8 through 11. If your machine can run it, we recommend Java 11.

ALL JMRI VERSIONSNOTE re Java 8 Version 311: DO NOT INSTALL THIS VERSION. Errors have been reported which can be fixed by reverting to version 301 or upgrading to Java 11. [As of 20 October 2021]

As of JMRI 4.20, JMRI is only fully supported when running on the most current update possible to the two most recent Java Long Term Support (LTS) releases (8 or 11 as of July 2020) and will receive "best effort" support on the latest Java release (14 as of July 2020). Some problems encountered while using a Java version that is "best effort" may only be addressable by using a supported version.

The JMRI project recommends Java from AdoptOpenJDK or the operating system vendor unless using Windows 8 or older, in which case Java from Oracle is recommended. See the operating system-specific installation guidance for further details.

## Starting the program

Once you have downloaded the JMRI® software and installed it, simply open the program in the usual manner for your operating system. Windows will show an icon on desktop (with default install options selected).

Double click the icon for the program to open. In this case we will open DecoderPro®

This dialog will appear briefly as the program is loading:

You should see this or a similar opening screen displayed after the program starts:

If this is the first time you run the program after you installed the software, the Preferences screen will come up automatically to allow you to set up the system for your particular configuration. Also if you change your system configuration, OR if you have your laptop away from the railroad, but you want to play with JMRI there is a simulator mode you may want to try.
[To be continued]

## Setting your Preferences

- The Preferences Pane
- Configuration Profiles
- Configuration Files & Locations

## Fixing Problems

- Debugging an installation
- Error Codes
- InstallTest (Windows only)
- Frequently Asked Questions