--- title: "Installation Guide" slug: "installation-guide" description: "This document steps you through installing the Decisions Platform on an App Server or PC. Uses either MS SQL or PostgreSQL" tags: ["Decisions Installation ", "IIS", "Local Installation", "MSSQL", "Multi Tenancy", "PostgreSQL"] updated: 2026-02-24T20:36:36Z published: 2026-02-24T20:36:36Z --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Installation Guide After referring to the [Installation Requirements](/v9/docs/installation-requirements), follow the walkthrough below to install Decisions on an **Application Server** or PC. ### Prerequisites - Download the current [v9.x version](https://releases.decisions.com/Releases/). - Connection to a [supported database](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/installation-requirements#database-server-and-configuration). - Download the appropriate [.NET Versions](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/net-versions-for-decisions). Note:With Windows Server 2022, users will still need to download and install the Hosting Bundle. --- ## Selecting an Installation Type 1. Right-click the downloaded **DecisionsServerInstaller.exe** and select **Run as administrator**. 2. Click **INSTALL**to begin.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h08_45.png) 3. Review the terms, check the**I accept the terms of the License Agreement** box, then click **Next**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h10_22.png) 4. In the**Select Installation Type**window, choose the appropriate type. Refer to the chart below for further information on each installation type: | Type | Description | | --- | --- | | **Standard Server (Prod and Non-Prod)** | The most common Server Installation type. Installs an instance for both Production (live) and Non-Production (development) purposes. Allow other machines to access the server. | | **Failover (HA) Server** | Installs an instance that only lives once triggered after the primary instance shuts down. Once installed, it will be available but will not run jobs or events on startup. | | [**Designer Repository**](/v9/docs/repository-overview) | Installs an instance for storing entities and managing version builds and releases. It does not run live applications. | | [**Multi-Tenancy Server (Control)**](/v9/docs/multi-tenancy-setting-up-a-control-instance)**** | Installs a Control instance for hosting Tenants. Use this if utilizing multi-tenancy. | | [**Multi-Tenancy Server (Tenant)**](/v9/docs/multi-tenancy-adding-and-setting-up-a-tenant-instance) | Installs a Tenant to an existing Control instance. Use this if utilizing multi-tenancy. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h11_03.png) 5. If desired, enable **Show Advanced Settings,** then click **Next**. If Advanced Settings is not enabled, [Hosting Options](/v9/docs/installer-hosting-options) will not be displayed, and the Hosting Type will default to Self-Hosted. | Setting | Description | | --- | --- | | Use Settings File | Enables a field to select a previously saved Settings file. | | Initial User Setup screen | The **Initial User Setup screen** allows Users to create an administrator account that will be used to log in to the portal after completing the installation process. | | Change the Destination Folder for Installation | Diverts installation from the default install folder, "C:\Program Files\Decisions". | | Pick Alternate Source | Select an alternate installation file source via URL or file directory. | | Show the Service Settings | Customize the Service account username and password. | | Skip DB Connection Testing - Not Recommended | Skips the database connection test at the end of the installation wizard. | ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h11_37.png) --- ## Database Setup The app server and the **Database****Server**must be set to the same time zone. ### MSSQL Connection #### Warning - When installing on MSSQL, the maximum table limit for a user-defined type is 128 characters. #### Setup 1. Select **MS SQL**for the **Database Type.** 2. Under **Connection Type**, select **Basic** and enter the corresponding database server****and name in **DB Server**and **DB Database,**respectively. If the database server does not exist, the platform installer will attempt to create it for **MS****SQL**connections. 3. Under **Connection Settings**, select **MS SQL Server Security** and enter the appropriate User ID****and Password. 1. **Use an Encrypted Connection** - When enabled, the connection between the client and server will be encrypted only if the Root SSL certificate is installed. For more information, refer to [Microsoft's official document](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/configure-sql-server-encryption?view=sql-server-ver16). 2. **Trust Server Connection** - When enabled, the transport layer will use SSL to encrypt the channel and bypass the certificate chain to validate trust. For more information, refer to [Microsoft's official document](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.data.sqlclient.sqlconnectionstringbuilder.trustservercertificate?view=dotnet-plat-ext-7.0#remarks). 4. Click **Test** to verify a successful database connection. Alternatively, MSSQL installations may use [Windows Integrated Security](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/securing-decisions-installation#:~:text=and/or%20clickjacking-,Installing%20with%20Windows%20Integrated%20Security,-If%20a%20user) for added security. 5. Click **Next** to proceed.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h13_24.png) ### AWS Connection #### Prerequisites - [Create an AWS RDS Database](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/CHAP_GettingStarted.CreatingConnecting.SQLServer.html) for **Microsoft SQL Server.**Select either a **SQL Server SE**or **SQL Server EE**engine. Refer to [Installation Requirements](/v9/docs/installation-requirements) for specifications. - Launch an EC2 instance. - Configure the****[**RDS Security Groups**](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/Overview.RDSSecurityGroups.html) and/or [**VPC**](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonRDS/latest/UserGuide/USER_VPC.html) to allow SQL connections from the internal IP address of the EC2 application server. Add an inbound Rule for the security group to allow MSSQL from the EC2 instance's internal IP address. #### Setup 1. Select **MS SQL**for the **Database Type.** 2. Under **Connection Type**, select **Basic.**For **DB Server,**enter the endpoint address of the RDS instance.****And **DB Database,**respectively. For the DB Database, enter the desired name, e.g., "decisions". 3. Under **Connection Settings**, select **MS SQL Server Security.**Enter the specified master****Username****and Password****for the created RDS database in **UserID**and **Password,**respectively. 4. Click **Next**to proceed. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h17_11.png) ### Azure Connection #### Prerequisites - [Create and Configure a SQL Database](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/single-database-create-quickstart?view=azuresql&tabs=azure-portal). The SQL that Decisions generates/executes does not use any recent additions to T-SQL or any of the SQL Server-only functionality. - [Create an Azure VM](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/windows/quick-create-portal) (any version). Refer to [Installation Requirements](/v9/docs/installation-requirements) for specifications. - After provisioning the Azure VM, install **IIS** and [**.NET 8.0**](https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/8.0). SQL Specifications A DB level of at least DTU S4 or P1 should be used, as lower levels greatly restrict transactions per minute, causing timeouts for Decisions SQL queries, especially during installation. This is recommended beyond the initial installation. Some workloads may require higher throughput, which can be achieved with higher Premium Azure SQL tiers. Users should note that increasing DTUs will maximize performance for Decisions. | Specification | Production Server | Non-Production Server | Repository Server | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | D-Series | D4s v3 | D4s v3 | D4s v3 | | VCPU | 4 or 8 for Advanced Specifications | 4 | 4 | | Memory | 16 GB or 32 GB for Advanced Specifications | 16 GB | 16 GB | | HDD Storage | 150 GB | 100 GB | 100 GB | #### Setup 1. Select **Azure****SQL**for **Database****Type**. 2. Under**Connection Type**, select **Basic**and then provide the Azure DB Server's Public Address and the database server's name in **DB Server**and **DB Database,**respectively. 3. Under **Connection****Settings**, select **MS SQL Server Security**, then provide the appropriate User ID and Password for the Azure Admin. 1. **Use an Encrypted Connection** - When enabled, the connection between the client and server will be encrypted only if the Root SSL certificate is installed. For more information, refer to [Microsoft's official document](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/configure-sql-server-encryption?view=sql-server-ver16). 2. **Trust Server Connection** - When enabled, the transport layer will use SSL to encrypt the channel and bypass the certificate chain to validate trust. For more information, refer to [Microsoft's official document](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.data.sqlclient.sqlconnectionstringbuilder.trustservercertificate?view=dotnet-plat-ext-7.0#remarks). 4. Click **Test**to verify a successful connection. 5. Click **Next**to proceed.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h19_34.png) To install using Azure Service Principal, refer to [Installing Decisions Using Azure Service Principal](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/installing-decisions-using-azure-service-principal). ### PostgreSQL Connection #### Warning - When installing on PostgreSQL, the maximum table limit for a user-defined type is 64 characters. #### Prerequisites - Download the appropriate [PostgreSQL version](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/installation-requirements#database-server-and-configuration). Keep the default**UserID/Username,** aka "Postgres," for Decisions to query PostgreSQL properly. - In PostgreSQL, [create a new database](https://www.postgresql.org/docs/13/tutorial-createdb.html) for Decisions. Upgrading from SQL is not supported, so a new database is required. - Non-admin super users installing on Azure may run into issues. Please see [Non-Admin Users in Azure PostgreSQL.](https://documentation.decisions.com/docs/non-admin-users-in-azure-postgresql) #### Setup 1. Select **PostgreSQL** for **Database Type.** 2. Under **Connection****Type**, choose **Basic**and enter "localhost" for the **DB****server****,**the created Postgres database for **DB Database,******and "5432" for **DB Port.**This is the default port number for PostgreSQL databases. 3. Under **Connection Settings**, select **PostgreSQL Server Security.**Click **Test**to verify a successful connection. 4. Click **Next**to proceed. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h21_38.png) Users can provide a database schema under **Custom Connection String**Connection Type if utilizing that option. For platforms hosted on AWS some PostgreSQL configurations require a custom connection string which includes the "Root Certificate" field. Without this, the installation will fail due to a timeout. An example of the connection string would be as follows: ```custom Host=hostname;Database=databasename;Port=5432;Username=insert_username;Password=password;SslMode=Require;TrustServerCertificate=true;Pooling=false;Timeout=300;Root Certificate=c:/path/to/certificate ``` --- ## SQL Full Text Warning Note for PostgreSQL Installs on v9.1+As of the v9.1 release, the SQL Full Text Warning will no longer appear for PostgreSQL installs.  The installer will check for the **SQL Full-Text Warning**. For more information, refer to the article [Full Text Search](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/advanced-portal-search). Click **Next**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h24_40.png) --- ## Initial User Setup The **Initial User Setup screen** allows Users to create an administrator account that will be used to log in to the portal after completing the installation process. This email address will be the default email address for sending notification emails. Users can modify this default email address under [Portal settings](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/email-and-smtp-in-decisions?highlight=default%20email%20address). Provide an **Email** and **Password.** Ensure to retain these credentials. Click **Next**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h25_31.png) --- ## Hosting Options 1. Select the appropriate [Installer Hosting Option](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/installer-hosting-options). This example selects **Self Hosting**. Click **Next**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2022-02-03_14h36_39.png) --- Host Entry for DNS Before moving ahead, ensure to add the host entry in the Windows host file or in the host entry of the Domain provider. - If the host URL is **https://****example.com**, ensure to add the host entry in the host file at `C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts`. ```none 127.0.0.1 example.com ``` ### Self Hosting 1. From the **Portal Base Url**window, select the desired **Http**/**Https**configuration with **Certificate**path and **Password** if applicable, and specify the desired **Port**that Decisions will install to. Afterward, leave the **Override Portal Base URL** unchecked to allow the installer to create a **Portal Base URL** using "localhost" as the domain, with the input Port value and either Http or Https as chosen. Otherwise, enable **Override Portal Base URL** to provide a custom Portal Base UR or Fully Qualified Domain Name. This example keeps the default values (`http://localhost:80`). Different ports must be opened via Windows Firewall first. Click **Next**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h28_53.png) --- ### IIS Hosting 1. Provide the **Portal Base URL,** then click **Next**.****![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h33_12.png)Install On RootThe benefit of installing on Root is that the user will not have a "**/decisions**" at the end of the Base URL. Instead, it will be a stand-alone web address.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1672058340255.png) 2. Set a required [**Application**(App) **Pool**](/v9/docs/installer-hosting-options) or click **Create New.**Click **Next**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2022-02-03_14h41_55.png) --- ## Email Server, Encryption Keys, and File Storage 1. Select an **Outbound Email Server** option. For local installs, select **SMTP Direct Server**. To specify a mail server address, select [SMTP Server](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/email-and-smtp-in-decisions). Click **Next**once done. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h34_15.png) 2. In the **Encryption Keys** window, the installer will detect any existing encryption keys on the connected database. A prior key and its data can be restored via the Restore Key File by entering its key value. For a fresh installation and if not wishing to restore any existing keys, select Next to continue. Even if keys are found, restoring is optional.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2022-07-20_11h16_52.png) 3. Confirm the File Storage Path where Decisions will reside. The default path is****`C:\Program Files\Decisions\FileStorage`**.** Click **Next** once done.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h35_05.png) 4. Review any warnings in the **System Requirements Check** before clicking **Next**to proceed. Local PC installations will likely run into an **OS**warning due to production environments requiring **Windows Server OS**. This does not prevent successful installation, so installation may proceed if this occurs.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h36_00.png) 5. The **Review Install Options** panel is the installation's configuration. Check these settings for accuracy. To save these settings for future reference or recovery, click the**Save Install Settings To File**checkbox before clicking **Next**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h36_26.png) 6. Installation automatically begins. Click **Show Details** to see the installation's progress step-by-step. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h42_41.png) 7. After installation completes, enable the **Launch Decisions Portal**checkbox, then select **Finish**.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/2025-06-30_10h44_26.png) 8. Click the **I agree to the terms and conditions...**checkbox, then log in****to the platform by providing the admin **Username**and **Password** and clicking the **LOGIN**button. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/Login%20Page.png) --- ## Decisions License When a Decisions instance is newly installed, a trial Enterprise-level license is active for seven days. After seven days, the trial license will be automatically revoked, and a personal license will be applied to the instance. A personal license is a non-expiry license that is limited to a single instance and cannot be used as a production server. For more information, refer to [Decisions License](https://documentation.decisions.com/v9/docs/licensing-a-server). --- ## Feature Changes | Description | Version | Date | Developer Task | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Moved DB Schema for PostgreSQL installs to Custom Connection String section. | [9.2](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/version-92x-release-notes) | August 2024 | [DT-041731] | | Changed an error message when clicking on the Edit Settings button to "Unable to read settings, it could be due to a version mismatch. Please use the correct version". | [9.5](https://documentation.decisions.com/v99/docs/version-95x-release-notes) | November 2024 | [DT-042987] | --- For further information on Installation, visit the [Decisions Forum](https://community.decisions.com/categories/InstallationSetup). ## Related - [Prerequisite for IIS Hosting](/prerequisite-for-iis-hosting.md) - [Installation Requirements](/installation-requirements.md) - [Installer Hosting Options](/installer-hosting-options.md) - [Deployment and Configuration Options](/deployment-configuration-options.md)