This section explains how to install QGIS. QGIS can be installed on Windows, macOS and Linux (also on Android and iOS, but they will not be addressed). There will also be an overview of existing tutorials on how to install QGIS. In addition, it contains also information on how to update QGIS.

QGIS Installation 1/3

QGIS Installation (Windows) link copied

• Step 0: If you want to install a newer version of QGIS make sure to uninstall your old version. Simply go to the Add or remove programs function in Windows (search) and select QGIS and unistall.
• Step 1: Go to this link and download the 64 bit QGIS Standalone installer under the “Long term release repository (most stable)” header (see figure 1). This will be the most stable and updated version of QGIS. Currently that is QGIS 3.10, but this will change as newer versions are created.

• Step 2: Run the installer and select your installation folder (normally on your C:// drive). Next, the installer will ask you if you want to download additional datasets (only USA), you can leave those unchecked.
• Step 3: After the installation you can run QGIS and start making maps. To start QGIS look for the QGIS folder on your desktop and click on QGIS desktop. If the installation succeeded QGIS will open.
• Step 4: You can add extra functionality to QGIS by installing free plugins. See this tutorial for a list of useful plugins and how to install them.

Other resources

Windows: install QGIS with a QGIS standalone installer (the easiest way) 

Using a QGIS standalone installer is the easiest way to download QGIS. One of them can be downloaded from this link

• Install the QGIS LTR version and short introduction of the interface  Hans van der Kwast: “QGIS LTR install on Windows and quick overview” 
  you can access this video using this link

  Language(s): English  
  Time: 6min 57s  

Windows: install QGIS with the OSGeo4W Installer (more advanced) 

The OSGeo4W Installer is a Windows installer for open source geospatial software such as QGIS, GDAL/OGR, GRASS. It allows to install multiple QGIS versions in parallel and updates can be performed more efficiently.  

• Install QGIS with the OSGeo4W installer 
  “QGIS Installation with OSGeo4W”
  you can access this installer using this link
  
  Language(s): English 
  
  Chapters:
  • installation steps
  • upgrading steps  

Windows: install QGIS with Ubuntu (more advanced)
 
QGIS can also be installed on Windows by using Linux. First, the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) needs to be installed. WSL allows to install Ubuntu, which enables to install QGIS.   

• Install QGIS by using Ubuntu  
  Hans van der Kwast: “Install Ubuntu and QGIS on Windows 11 using WSL” 
  you can access this video using this link

  Language(s): English  
  Time: 5min 5s  

  Chapters:

  •  introduction (start-0:12)
  • install Windows subsystem for Linux (0:12-0:57)
  • install Ubuntu on Windows 11 (0:57-1:36)
  • troubleshoot error (1:36-2:39)
  • install QGIS on Ubuntu (2:39-end) 

Windows: update QGIS with the OSGeo4W Shell 

QGIS can be updated with the OSGeo4W Shell, which is a Windows installer for open source geospatial software.   

• Update QGIS with the OSGeo4W Shell  
  Hans van der Kwast: “Update QGIS versions with OSGeo4W Shell” 
  you can access this video using this link

  Language(s): English  
  Time : 2min 43s  

QGIS Installation 2/3

QGIS Installation (Mac) link copied

The steps for Mac are essentially the same as for windows:

• Step 0: If you want to install a newer version of QGIS make sure to uninstall your old version. Simply go to your Applications folder and drag the QGIS app into the trash.
• Step 1: Go to this link and download the QGIS version under the “Long term release repository (most stable)” header. Currently that is QGIS 3.10, but this will change as newer versions are created.

• Step 2: Run the installer. It will ask you if you want to download additional datasets (only USA), you can leave those unchecked.
• Step 3: After the installation you can run QGIS and start making maps. To open the programme look for QGIS in your applications folder. If the installation succeeded QGIS will open.
• Step 4: You can add extra functionality to QGIS by installing free plugins. See this tutorial for a list of useful plugins and how to install them.

QGIS Installation 3/3

Useful links link copied

• QGIS Training Manual
• QGIS User Guide
• GIS OpenCourseWare
• OsGeo4W: osGeo4W
  (Language(s): English, Japanese, French, Polish, Deutsch)
• Hans van der Kwast YouTube Channel