Installing JIRA applications on Windows

Installing JIRA applications

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In this guide we'll run you through installing a JIRA application in a production environment, with an external database, using the Windows installer.

This is the most straightforward way to get your production site up and running on a Windows server.



Other ways to install JIRA:

  • Evaluation - get your free trial up and running in no time.
  • Zip – install JIRA manually from a zip file. 
  • Linux – install JIRA on a Linux operating system

Before you begin

Before you install JIRA, there's a few questions you need to answer. 


Are you using a supported operating system?
Tell me more...

Check the Supported platforms page for the version of JIRA you are installing. This will give you info on supported operating systems, databases and browsers.

Good to know:

  • We don't support installing JIRA on OSX or mac OS.
  • The JIRA installer includes Java (JRE) and Tomcat, so you don't need to install these seperately.
Do you want to run JIRA as a Windows Service?
Tell me more...

Running JIRA as a service in Windows means that your JIRA application will automatically start up when Windows is started.

If you choose to run JIRA as a service:

  • You must run the installer as administrator to be able to install JIRA as a service. 
  • The JIRA service will be run as the Windows 'SYSTEM' user account.
  • We strongly recommend creating a dedicated user account (e.g. with username 'jira') on Windows for running JIRA.

See Running JIRA applications as a Window's service for more information.

If you choose not to run JIRA as a service:

  • You will start and stop JIRA by running the start-jira.bat file in your JIRA installation directory.
  • JIRA will be run as the Windows user account that was used to install JIRA, or you can choose to run as a dedicated user.
  • JIRA will need to be restarted manually if your server is restarted.
Is your database set up and ready to use?
Tell me more...

To run JIRA in production you'll need an external database. Check the Supported platforms page for the version you're installing for the list of databases we currently support. If you don't already have a database, PostgreSQL is free, easy to set up and has been extensively tested with JIRA.

Good to know:

  • Set up your database before you begin. Step-by-step guides are available for PostgreSQL, Oracle, MySQL, and SQL Server.
  • Use UTF-8 character encoding.
  • If you're using Oracle or MySQL you'll need to download the driver for your database.
  • The embedded H2 database can be used for evaluating JIRA, but you'll need to migrate to another database before running in production. You may find it easier to use external database from the start.

Do you have a JIRA license?

Tell me more...

You'll need a valid JIRA Software Server, JIRA Core Server or JIRA Service Desk Server license to use JIRA.

Good to know:

  • If you have not yet purchased a JIRA application license you'll be able to create an evaluation license during setup.
  • If you already have a license key you'll be prompted to log in to my.atlassian.com to retrieve it, or you can enter the key manually during setup.
  • If you're migrating from JIRA Cloud, you'll need a new license.


Install a JIRA application

1. Download JIRA

Download the installer for your operating system:

2. Run the installer

  1. Run the installer. We recommend using a Windows administrator account.
  2. Follow the prompts to install JIRA. You'll be asked for the following info:
     
    1.  Destination directory – this is where JIRA will be installed.
    2.  Home directory – this is where JIRA data like logs, search indexes and files will be stored.
    3.  TCP ports – these are the HTTP connector port and control port JIRA will run on. Stick with the default unless you're running another application on the same port. 
    4. Install as service – this option is only available if you ran the installer as administrator.
  3.  JIRA will start up in your browser once installation is complete.

Set up your JIRA application

3. Choose set up method

Choose I'll set it up myself.

4. Connect to your database

  1. If you've not already done so, it's time to create your database. See the 'Before you begin' section of this page for details. 
  2. Choose My own database. 

  3. Choose your database type then enter the details for your database. 
      

    Show me how to do this...

    JIRA connects to your database using a standard JDBC database connection. Connection pooling is handled within JIRA, you can change this using JIRA configuration tool later.

    If you're using MySQL there's an extra step: 

    • Download and extract the appropriate database JDBC driver.
    • Drop the JAR file into your <jira-installation>/lib folder before continuing with the setup wizard.

    In the setup wizard:

    • Driver Class Name – the Java class name for your database driver. If you're not sure, check the documentation for your database.
    • Database URL – the JDBC URL for your database. If you're not sure, check the documentation for your database.
    • Username and Password – A valid username and password that JIRA can use to access your database.

5. Set application properties

  1. Give your JIRA site a name.
  2. Choose wether your site should is private or if anyone can sign up. You can change this later. 
  3. Enter your base URL - this is the address people will use to access your JIRA site. 

6. Enter your license

Follow the prompts to log in to my.atlassian.com to retrieve your license, or enter a license key.

7. Create your administrator account

Enter details for the administrator account.  You can add more administrators after set up is complete.

8. Set up email notifications

Enter details of your mail server.  This will allow JIRA to send notifications when issues change.

9. Start using JIRA

That's it! Your JIRA site is accessible from your base URL or a URL like this: http://<computer_name_or_IP_address>:<port>

Here's a few things that will help you get your team up and running:

Troubleshooting

Running into problems installing JIRA?

Some anti-virus or other Internet security tools may interfere with the JIRA installation process and prevent the process from completing successfully. If you experience or anticipate experiencing such an issue with your anti-virus/Internet security tool, disable this tool first before proceeding with the JIRA installation.

Head to Installation Troubleshooting in our Knowledge Base for more help.  

Last modified on Oct 8, 2018

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