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Ansys Download & Installation Guide (Start Here!)

Authored by Caleb Scharf June 10th, 2025 83278 views 62 likes KB944018

Description

You can't take shortcuts when installing Ansys! Sequentially following each & every step in this guide will ensure a successful install of Ansys each time!

Flagship Products

Part #1 - License Server Setup

Skip this step if…

You should skip this step if your company has already deployed & configured a license server unless you are using a FlexNet license server, in which case you must verify the License Manager is running the same or new version than the client software being used, OR you need to install a newly issued FlexNet License File.

FlexNet License Server - Windows

I don't know what type of License Server I need/have

FlextNet - Classic, self-hosted license server where one or more users share a pool of licenses. (currently most common)
Shared Web Licensing - Newer option, hosted by Ansys, where one or more users share a pool of licenses.
Elastic Web Licensing - License Server hosted by Ansys using their flexible pay-per-use licensing model based on AEC's.

For more information, please visit - Understanding Ansys License Server Types

Step #1 - Determine Deployment Method

You must determine what computer will be your License Server. Your licenses will be keyed to this and only this machine.
In multi-user deployments, the license manager should be installed on a dedicated computer and NOT on the client computer.

Step #2 - Obtain Your License File

Note:

This step is only required if you need to install a new license file. Existing license files remain in place when upgrading the software.

Obtain Your Ansys License File and have it on hand.

Step #3 - Download & Install / Upgrade the License Manager

How do I upgrade the License Manager?

The steps to install and upgrade the license manager software are the same.
- If upgrading, the existing license file (& option file if applicable) will remain and a license does not need to be installed unless you have received a newer license.
It is not possible to run multiple versions of the license manager on the same machine.

Check & Whitelist Endpoint / AV Security software
1. Many endpoint security applications can silently corrupt an Ansys installation by blocking installation steps or prevent the application from opening, or both.
2. Review this list for known problematic security software.
3. Whitelist the security software prior to installation if it is on this list.
Access the computer your license manager was issued to
- The following steps must be performed on the computer that your license file was issued to when you Gathered License Server Host Info.
- You cannot run the License Manager successfully on any machine other the one it was issued to.
Download the latest version of the Ansys License Manager
- Download Here (2025 R1 / 2-4-2025)
- The latest version is backward compatible with all previous versions and license files.
Prepare the Installation Files
1. Unzip the file:
  1. Right click the file > select Extract All. (If the setup file is run without unzipping the archive file first, the installation will appear to complete successfully, but the program will not function properly)

Don't miss these steps!

* Skipping these steps won’t always produce error messages during the installation, but unfortunately can still corrupt the install and cause various software errors and force you to uninstall and reinstall.

Install the Software
1. Once the file has been unzipped, right click the setup.exe file > Run as Administrator
  Note: Be aware that the license manager will be stopped during the installation and clients will not be able to communicate with the license server during this time. The installation typically takes ~ 5min.
2. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. Default values are recommended unless there is a specific reason that requires otherwise.
3. Upon completing the installation, the License Management Center web page will open.
Add Required Firewall Exceptions
Note: You may skip this step for Single User/Machine Deployments
1. You must add firewall exceptions to your firewall‍ in order for other client computers to communicate with your license server.

Step #4 - Install your License File(s)

Do I need to upgrade my License Manager if I'm only installing a new license?

You should always use the latest version of the License Manager. Outdated License Manager Software is a very common cause of license checkout related issues. Newer versions of the license manager are always backward compatible.

Install Your License File(s)
1. HOW TO - Install an Ansys License File
Set a static Vendor Daemon Port
1. HOW TO - Set Custom/Static License Server Ports
Communicate License Server Name to Your Users
1. They will need to specify the server name (not IP address) in the client license settings.
2. Send all users these instructions‍ along with your server name.

FlexNet License Server - Linux

Step #1 - Determine Deployment Method

You must determine what computer will be your License Server. Your licenses will be keyed to this and only this machine.
In multi-user deployments, the license manager should be installed on a dedicated computer and NOT on the client computer.

Step #2 - Obtain Your License File

If you haven't already obtained your license file, please do so now.
1. HOW TO - Obtain Your Ansys License File

What if I'm only upgrading the License Manager Software?

If you only upgrading and do not need to install a new license file, the existing license file will remain installed and you do not need to perform this step.

Step #3 - Download & Install / Upgrade the License Manager

These steps must be performed on the computer that your license file was issued to when you Gathered License Server Host Info.

Upgrading?

The steps to install and upgrade the license manager software are the same.
- If upgrading, the existing license file (& option file if applicable) will remain and a license does not need to be installed unless you have received a newer license.
A client cannot checkout a license from a server running a version older than the client software. In this case, the license server must be updated to the newest version.
It is not possible to run multiple versions of the license manager on the same machine.

Install Required Linux Packages & Libraries
1. HOW TO - Install Ansys' Required Linux Packages & Libraries
Download the latest version of the Ansys License Manager
- Download Here (2025R1 / 2-4-2025)
- The latest version is backward compatible with all previous versions and license files.
Prepare the Installation Files
1. Unzip the file:
  1. Right click the file > select Open with Archive Manager > Extract > select the desired folder to extract the files > Extract
Install the Software
1. Once the files have been extracted > select Show the Files > Right click in the blank folder space, not a file > select Open in Terminal > type the install command: [user@ localhost folder]$ ./INSTALL
2. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. Default values are recommended unless there is a specific reason that requires otherwise.
3. Upon completing the installation, the License Management Center web page will open:
Add Required Firewall Exceptions
Note: You may skip this step for Single User/Machine Deployments
1. You must add firewall exceptions to your firewall‍ in order for other client computers to communicate with your license server.

Step #4 - Install your License File(s)

Do I need to upgrade my License Manager if I'm only installing a new license?

Install Your License File(s)
1. HOW TO - Install an Ansys License File
Set a static Vendor Daemon Port
1. HOW TO - Set Custom/Static License Server Ports
Communicate License Server Name to Your Users
1. They will need to specify the server name (not IP address) in the client license settings.
2. Send all users these instructions‍ along with your server name.

Shared Web License Server

Follow - HOW TO - Setup & Manage Shared Web Licensing Users

Elastic Web License Server

Follow - HOW TO - Setup Elastic Licensing

Part #2 - Client Software Installation

Windows

Do I need to upgrade my License Manager?

Yes, we always recommend running the latest version of the License Manager because we have found that outdated versions are a very common cause of license checkout issues. Strictly speaking, the LM must be the same or newer version than the client software being used. Newer versions of the license manager are always backward compatible.

Step #1 - Download the Client Software

Select Your Installer Type - 3 Options

Primary Packages (Recommended Method)
- Best option if you only need to install 1-2 software titles
- Single Zip File (up to ~15GB)
- Service Packs need to be installed separately
ISO Images
- Best option if you need to 3+ software titles
- Includes all flagship software titles (excluding electronics)
- Downloads all Software titles - 50GB of data
- 7+ iso files require the installation process to be interrupted 7 times to specify the path of the next ISO file.
- Service Packs need to be installed separately
Automated Installer (semi-reliable)
- 50MB Initial Download - Downloads files (15-50GB) during installation wizard
- Download times can vary greatly and installations sometimes get hung up or are buggy
- Ansys Account is required during the install
- Installs service packs with installation

Primary Packages & ISO Images

Login to the Ansys Download Center
1. https://download.ansys.com/currentReleases
  1. If you do not yet have an Ansys Account, you will be prompted to sign-up for an account.
  2. You must use your corporate email address
  3. Can't access the Download Page?
Download Client Software Package of your choice

Step #2 - Install Client Software

I'm installing new/multiple versions of the software

Installing a newer version of the client software does not remove older versions. All versions installed on a computer can be used simultaneously.
If multiple versions of Ansys need to be installed, the most recent version must be installed last, otherwise Ansys licensing & checkout will not work properly. If you need to install an older version and already have a newer version installed, reinstall the latest version after installing the older version(s).

Check & Whitelist Endpoint / AV Security software
1. Many endpoint security applications can silently corrupt an Ansys installation by blocking installation steps or prevent the application from opening, or both.
2. Review this list for known problematic security software.
3. Whitelist the security software prior to installation if it is on this list.
Prepare the Installation Files
1. If you downloaded a Primary Package / Zip File:
  1. Unzip the file by right clicking it and selecting Extract All. (If the setup file is run without unzipping the file first, the installation will appear to complete successfully, but the program will not function properly)
2. If you downloaded the ISO Images:
  1. Double click the Disc 1 ISO file. This will mount it as a virtual DVD drive in Windows 10.
  2. Browse to and double click all other ISO files, this will mount them as an additional virtual DVD drive. (Take note of the drive letter is used for each disk as this will be used later)‍
Install the Software

Don't miss these steps!

Right-click the setup.exe file found with your installation files and select Run as Administrator.
When prompted, specify the name of the license server you will be using.
Follow the installation wizard, selecting the software packages applicable to you.
Allow the installation to complete. This normally takes anywhere from 10-30 min, depending on how many applications you are installing and the speed of the computer.
Specify a License Server
1. Lastly, Specify a License Server‍ to connect to if you did not do so during the installation wizard.
2. If you can't checkout licenses, see HOW TO - Test & Fix License Manager Connectivity Issues

Step #3 - Install Service Packs (Recommended)