Installing/Upgrading on Windows (x64)

IMPORTANT: The information in this article is specific to Orchid version 1.12.7 or earlier.  Equivalent instructions for Orchid versions 2.0.0 and above are available in the Orchid Core VMS Installation Guide in the chapter "Installation: Working in Windows".

Orchid is compatible with Windows 7 through Windows 10, and Windows Server 2003 through 2012 R2.

Orchid is installed on Windows through standard Windows executable installers. To install the software, you will need the current Orchid Windows installation file and administrator access on the computer.

Important: Orchid can only be installed on a 64-bit operating system. If you are currently running a 32-bit operating system then Orchid will not start after installation.

1. Open the Orchid installation package, which will be a .exe file. You will be asked if you want to allow the installer to make changes to your computer. Click “Yes” to allow the installer to open.

2. The installer will open and you will be asked to accept the End-User License Agreement. Click the “I Agree” button after reading the agreement to accept it.

3. You will be asked to select the components you want to install. Orchid Service and Orchid ONVIF Discovery Service will already be checked. Click the “Next” button to proceed with installing both of those components.

4. The installer will ask you to set the webserver port, default admin password, and the directory to store archives:

• By default, the webserver port is set to port 80, which is recommended for most installations. Update the port number only if Orchid needs to use a port other than 80.
• Enter the password you would like to set for the default admin account in the “Root Password” field.
• The default folder to store video archives on Windows is C:\orchives. However, it can be changed to another directory if needed. Enter a new archives location if needed. 

5. Click the “Next” button once the above step has been completed.

6. The installer will ask you to confirm the installation folder. By default this is C:\Program Files\Orchid and does not need to be changed. However, the installation directory can be updated if needed.

7. Click the “Install” button to proceed with the installation.

The installation will now complete automatically without any additional prompts, but may take a few minutes to complete. Once the installer says “Completed” at the top of the Window, click the “Close” button to close the installer. Orchid will automatically open in the computer’s default web browser after the installer completes.

If Orchid is being installed on Windows Server, read our guide explaining how to resolve possible complications with Orchid and Windows Server.