Installation Guide
This section is for integrators and site administrators who install 2WinScada on a Windows server or a panel PC. Installation, upgrade and repair are done with a single installer file (Setup). Setup works offline; the target computer needs no internet connection and no additional tools.
Installation package
The customer receives a single file: 2WinScada.Setup.<version>.x64.exe (for example 2WinScada.Setup.2.10.0.x64.exe). The file contains the complete installation content. When you run it, it unpacks the content into a protected temporary folder and starts the installation wizard. The temporary folder is deleted when the installation completes successfully; if an error occurs, it is kept so that you can try again.
What gets installed
| Component | Purpose | Installation |
|---|---|---|
Main API service (2WinScada.Service) | Communication, tags, alarms, archiving and the API used by the web interface | Required |
| Web interface | The 2WinScada interface published on IIS | Required |
Notification service (2WinScada.Notification) | Email, SMS and WhatsApp notifications | Optional |
RecordDevice service (2WinScada.RecordDevice) | Record devices | Optional |
MQTT Publisher (2WinScada.Mqtt.Publisher) | Publishing data to an existing MQTT broker | Optional |
MCP Server (2WinScada.Mcp.Server) | Access for AI clients with the user's permissions | Optional |
| License Manager | Importing the license file (desktop application) | Optional |
| SQL Server | Configuration database (tag, device, page and user definitions) | A local SQL Server 2025 Express can be installed, or an existing server is used |
Archive database (QuestDB, QuestDB:2WinScada.ArchiveDb) | Database for tag history (archive), alarm history and operation history | Can be installed locally, or an existing server is used |
The names in parentheses are the service names shown in the Windows Services list. Setup also installs IIS, the required IIS modules and the .NET 10 runtime if they are missing. Details: System Requirements.
Legacy database maintenance service
The database maintenance service found in older installations (2WinScada.Db.Maintanence) has been retired; its tasks moved to the main API service. It is not offered in a new installation, and an upgrade stops and disables it.
Installation profiles
| Profile | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Standard server | A single 2WinScada server running on the plant network | Installation |
| Panel PC (8 GB, full stack) | All software runs on a panel PC with 8 GB RAM | Panel PC and Kiosk |
| Kiosk client | A 4 GB panel PC shows a central server; 2WinScada is not installed on the panel | Panel PC and Kiosk |
| Internet profile | The server is accessed from outside the plant network | Internet and Network Access |
Setup operations
When Setup opens, it detects the installation on the computer and selects the appropriate operation:
- Install: Used when the computer has no 2WinScada installation made with Setup.
- Upgrade: Upgrades the existing system with a package of a different version than the installed one. See Upgrading.
- Repair: Reinstalls missing or damaged application files and the service configuration with a package of the same version as the installed one. Also used when the server's IP address has changed. See Repair.
Checklist
- Check the server's system requirements and the capacity planning for the size of the project.
- Collect the information to prepare before installation: access address, certificate, SQL Server and QuestDB details, the initial administrator password.
- Run Setup as administrator and complete the wizard steps.
- Import the license file with License Manager. See License.
- Sign in to the web interface with the initial administrator account created by Setup and the password you set in the wizard; the username is given in the help installed with the product. Create personal accounts for the other users or give the sample accounts a temporary password.
- If the server will be accessed from outside the plant network, apply the steps on the Internet and Network Access page before going live.
- If a panel PC or a wall display will be used, configure the kiosk settings.
- Turn on the scheduled configuration backup and try a restore. See Backup and Restore.
- Install new versions as described on the Upgrading page.
Important file locations
| Location | Content |
|---|---|
%ProgramData%\2WinScada\Logs\setup.log | Setup log |
%ProgramData%\2WinScada\InstallerRuntime\deployment-result.json | Result report of the last Setup operation |
%ProgramData%\2WinScada\install.manifest.json | Installation record; upgrade, repair and uninstall use this record |
%ProgramData%\2WinScada\InstallerRuntime\Uninstall.exe | Uninstaller |
WARNING
Do not delete or change the installation record, the Setup operation logs, the InstallerRuntime folder or the license files by hand. Upgrade, repair, recovery and uninstall depend on these files.