For some, it is easy to install QGIS and if you normally find installing and managing software easy just go to https://www.qgis.org, Now click the big green download now button.
Since installing QGIS sometimes is a bit tricky This page has four sections
- For Windows users (Hoping all goes well)
- For Mac users (Hoping all goes well)
- For Windows users (with a lot of screenshots)
- For Mac users (with a lot of screenshots)
For Windows users
If you just want a quick look at QGIS I recommend using the standalone installer (Click the big green button). If you are going to use QGIS for a semester or longer I recommend using the QGIS in OSGeo4W (recommended for regular users) (the red box). It is a bit more complex to install but much easier to update and also allows for installing other open-source geospatial apps.
You wil be redirectet to a page with detailes for windows instalers, simply clik the “OSGeo4W Instaler”.
After launching the installer chose “Express Install” (If you do not need extra apps)
When the installer asks you to select Packages, choose all except QGIS LTR
For mac users
If you have a mac that has not been updated for years, it might be a good idea to do so now. If haven’t updated your Mac for years and it is running an OS version lower than High Sierra (10.13) you must update or use the cloud computers (on a mac you can see the OS version by clicking the apple in the top left corner of the screen and “About this mac” or something similar in your language.
My mac is MacOs 12.5.1 so I’m good to go
If you need to update go to https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211683 for a description on how to update macOS.
As for windows, start out by clicking the big green button
If you experience problems
Sometimes it is just not that easy, so here is a detailed set of screenshots to guide you through the installer process.
Windows
Chose the red installation (recommended for semester use)
You wil be redirectet to a page with detailes for windows instalers, simply clik the “OSGeo4W Instaler”.
Click the installer link, and when it has been downloaded, run the program
Choose express installation
Chose httos://download.osgeo.org
Chose QGIS, DGAL and GRASS
Accept the additional dependencies
There are several to accept, the installer now starts running and the installation when the bottom green bar (Disk) reaches the end.
The qgis app is now installed and is placed in the OSGeo4W folder in the start menu. To launch QGIS chose “QGIS Desktop XXX”
For Mac users
Just click the big green button, but note your ma
Your Download folder should now continue the file “qgis-macos-pr.dmg” and run the installer by double-clicking it. After verifying it (Can take some time)
You should see the first screen of the installer
After reading and agreeing to the licence agreement (click Agree). The installer will show a window saying Opening “qgis-macos-pr.dmg”, this takes some time. When finished drag the QGIS icon to the application folder in the window.
You will now see a new windows saying preparing to copy to “Applications”. this can take some time. Open your application folder and locate the QGIS app. When the little piechart is full and QGIS no longer grey you can launch the app.
However, if you just double-click the app you will get a pop-up saying that QGIS cannot be opened.
click cancel and open QGIS by right-clicking on the app and choosing open.
You will now get a new pop-up from which you can chose “Open”
From now on you can launch QGIS from your application folder or launchpad just like any other program.