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Important: This documentation is about an older version. It's relevant only to the release noted, many of the features and functions have been updated or replaced. Please view the current version.

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Enterprise Open source

Install Grafana on Windows

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You install Grafana using the Windows installer or using the standalone Windows binary file.

  1. Navigate to the Grafana download page.

  2. Select the Grafana version you want to install.

    • The most recent Grafana version is selected by default.
    • The Version field displays only tagged releases. If you want to install a nightly build, click Nightly Builds and then select a version.

  3. Select an Edition.

    • Enterprise: This is the recommended version. It is functionally identical to the open source version, but includes features you can unlock with a license, if you so choose.
    • Open Source: This version is functionally identical to the Enterprise version, but you will need to download the Enterprise version if you want Enterprise features.

  4. Click Windows.

  5. To use the Windows installer, complete the following steps:

    a. Click Download the installer.

    b. Open and run the installer.

  6. To install the standalone Windows binary, complete the following steps:

    a. Click Download the zip file.

    b. Right-click the downloaded file, select Properties, select the unblock checkbox, and click OK.

    c. Extract the ZIP file to any folder.

Start Grafana by executing grafana-server.exe, located in the bin directory, preferably from the command line. If you want to run Grafana as a Windows service, then download NSSM. It is very easy to add Grafana as a Windows service using that tool.

  1. To run Grafana, open your browser and go to the Grafana port (http://localhost:3000/ is default) and then follow the instructions in Getting Started.

    Note: The default Grafana port is 3000. This port might require extra permissions on Windows. If it does not appear in the default port, you can change the port number.

  2. To change the port, perform the following steps:

    a. Open the conf directory and copy sample.ini to custom.ini.

    Note: You should edit custom.ini, never defaults.ini.

    b. Edit custom.ini and uncomment the http_port configuration option.

    ; is the comment character in ini files.

    c. Change the port to 8080 or something similar.

    Port 8080 should not require extra Windows privileges.

Upgrade Grafana

While the process for upgrading Grafana is very similar to installing Grafana, there are important backup tasks you should perform. Refer to Upgrade Grafana for guidance on updating an existing installation.

Next steps