MiKTeX: What It Is, Install and First Compile

MiKTeX is a TeX/LaTeX distribution for Windows, macOS and Linux: the engines, fonts and packages that turn a .tex source file into a PDF. It installs the system; you still write in an editor of your choice. This guide is for researchers who need to typeset a manuscript, thesis or journal-template submission and want a working setup and a clean first compile. Installer details below were checked against miktex.org on 2026-11-07.

What MiKTeX is used for in research

Many journals, conferences and universities supply LaTeX class files or templates for manuscripts and theses. A distribution such as MiKTeX provides the compiler and the packages those templates load. MiKTeX’s own download page describes the Windows Basic Installer as the way to “install a basic TeX/LaTeX system on Windows”. It is a distribution, not an editor: pair it with an editor such as TeXstudio (see TeXstudio: install and first compile), which detects an installed MiKTeX.

Install MiKTeX (official source only)

Download from miktex.org/download. As of 2026-11-07 the page lists:

Windows: the Basic Installer (version 25.12, about 142 MB), a Net Installer that downloads all packages for a complete system (build 5.6.1, about 24.5 MB), and a command-line MiKTeX Setup Utility for unattended deployment.
Portable edition: the page says to rename the standard installer to miktex-portable.exe.
macOS: a drag-and-drop disk image, version 22.1 (x86_64). Mac users who want a current distribution can also read MacTeX.
Linux: installation through miktexsetup for listed releases of Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Debian, Fedora, Rocky Linux and openSUSE Leap, with a Docker image miktex/miktex:essential.

Step by step: install on Windows and run a first compile

The steps follow MiKTeX’s install how-to (miktex.org/howto/install-miktex, checked 2026-11-07).

Run the Basic MiKTeX Installer.
Select I accept the MiKTeX copying conditions and choose Next.
Choose the installation scope: private (current user only) or shared (all users, needs administrator rights). The how-to highly recommends a private installation.
Choose the install directory.
On the Settings page, choose the paper size and the package installer behaviour: Ask me first, Always or Never. This can be changed later.
Choose Start, wait for the installation to finish, then Close.
Open MiKTeX Console and check for updates: Updates page, Check for Updates, then Update now (MiKTeX Console how-to).
Open your .tex file in a LaTeX editor and compile with the editor’s build command. For TeXstudio, the compile keys and the Issues panel are covered in the TeXstudio guide.

Setup decisions that matter for manuscripts

Package installer setting. It controls whether missing packages are fetched when a document needs them. A journal template usually loads packages you have not installed yet, so choosing Never means those packages are not installed automatically. Editorial interpretation: Ask me first or Always is the practical choice for a first compile. The setting is also under Settings, General in MiKTeX Console.
Scope. A shared installation makes the Console ask at startup whether to run in User mode (the default) or Administrator mode.
Linux on-the-fly installs. The download page gives initexmf --set-config-value [MPM]AutoInstall=1 (use sudo initexmf --admin for a shared installation).

Output and how to read it

A successful compile produces a PDF next to your source file; the editor shows compiler messages in its log or issues view. A package request from MiKTeX appears as a prompt when the installer setting is Ask me first.

Troubleshooting

Class or style file not found after adding it yourself. Place the files in a user-managed TEXMF root registered under Settings, Directories in MiKTeX Console, then choose Tasks, Refresh file name database so MiKTeX sees them.
Packages are not installed on the fly. Check the package installer setting (Settings, General). If it is Never, change it to Ask me first or Always.
Outdated packages. Run Check for Updates on the Console Updates page, then Update now.
Shared installation behaves differently. Start the Console in Administrator mode for system-wide changes.

Free alternatives

Option	What it is	CASRAI guide
MacTeX	TeX distribution aimed at macOS	MacTeX
TeXstudio	A LaTeX editor that works with MiKTeX or TeX Live	TeXstudio
Overleaf	Browser-based LaTeX writing, so nothing to install locally	What is Overleaf, Overleaf alternatives
Typst	A different typesetting system rather than a LaTeX distribution	Typst

For citations once your setup works, see LaTeX bibliography styles explained.

FAQ

What is MiKTeX?

A TeX/LaTeX distribution for Windows, macOS and Linux that supplies the compiler and packages needed to typeset LaTeX documents. It is not an editor.

Where do I download MiKTeX for Windows, including Windows 11?

From miktex.org/download. The Windows Basic Installer is listed as version 25.12 on 2026-11-07.

Should I install for the current user or all users?

The install how-to highly recommends the private (current user) scope; shared scope needs administrator rights.

Can I carry MiKTeX on a USB drive?

The download page describes a portable edition: rename the standard installer to miktex-portable.exe.

Sources

MiKTeX download page, checked 2026-11-07.
How to install MiKTeX, checked 2026-11-07.
MiKTeX Console how-to, checked 2026-11-07.

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