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Step-by-step installation on Windows (STLM)

This page shows step-by-step how to install Ancestris on a Windows system.

The sections below are independent and do not all need to be done.

Screens shown might look different from those of the current Ancestris web site or the current Ancestris software version.

Knowing which Java version you use

Java Control Panel

Open the Windows Control Panel and then the Java Control Panel.

On its General tab, click 'About' to check the installed Java version.

Windows Java Control Panel About.png


On its Security tab, untick 'Enable Java content for browsers and Web Start applications' to improve security.

Windows Java Control Panel Security.png

 

Command prompt

Alternatively, these steps let you identify which version of Java is running on your system.

1 - Open a Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell command line window.

2 - Type java -version in at the promp. You will obtain a display as below, which shows that Java Version 8 (aka 1.8) 64-Bit is installed. Otherwise, it means java is not installed. Follow these instructions to install it.

java version "1.8.0_221"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_221-b11)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.221-b11, mixed mode)

3 - Type exit to close the command window.

 

Install prerequisite Java version

Ancestris requires Java to be installed. For Ancestris 64-bit ensure the Java 64-bit version is installed, and similarly for 32-bit.

 Install Java Version 8 (aka 1.8)

Java Version 8 is recommended as it supports all Ancestris features.

Download and install Java Version 8 (aka 1.8).

For full details see JRE Installation for Windows.

 Install Java Version 11

Later versions up to Java Version 11 support most Ancestris features.

Download and install Java Development Kit (JDK) Version 11 Windows .exe file.

For full details see Installation of the JDK on Windows.

 

Install Ancestris version 10 or 11

Follow the instructions below from your Windows system.

1/6 - Download Ancestris
  • Go to https://www.ancestris.org
  • Click on 'DOWNLOAD' in the Menu
  • Then click on 'Windows' for version 10
  • Or scroll down to the Daily version panel and click on 'DOWNLOAD' to start downloading.
  • Downloading may take 2 to 3 minutes as it is about 78 MB.

Windows Ancestris Download.png

 

 

2/6 - Extract the Ancestris file
  • Ancestris does not need to be installed as it runs directly from its .exe file.
  • So right-click the downloaded 'ancestris-latest.zip' file, choose 'Extract All' and select a destination folder where the .exe file can run.
  • On Windows 7, unzip into the 'C:\Program Files' folder otherwise Ancestris won't run.

Windows Ancestris Extract.png

 

3/6 - Check the Ancestris file to run
  • In the destination folder, open the 'ancestris' folder and then the 'bin' folder; there the 'ancestris64.exe' file will run Ancestris on a 64-bit system, while the 'ancestris.exe' will run it on a 32-bit system.

Windows Ancestris Folder.png

 

4/6 - Add an Ancestris shorcut
  • Right-click on the 'ancestris64.exe' or 'ancestris.exe' file and choose 'Pin to Start' or 'Pin to taskbar' to add a shortcut to the Start menu or the Taskbar.

Windows Ancestris Shortcut.png

 

5/6 - Click the shortcut and Ancestris then starts.

Windows Ancestris Start.png

 

 

6/6 - The Welcome screens then appears. You are now ready to use Ancestris.

Windows Ancestris Welcome.png

 

In case Ancestris does not start, it might be related to a java version issue. You may have to swap java version. Please follow these instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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