HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Windows: Difference between revisions

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(Edits + rewrites. Builds (stable, prerelease, dev build) now match builds on download page. Installers use Program Files not Program Files (x86)).)
(minor clean up)
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{{divbox|green||'''NOTE:''' An older version of Kodi, v15, is shown in the video. Later releases have a different menu system.}}
{{divbox|green||'''NOTE:''' An older version of Kodi, v15, is shown in the video. Later releases have a different menu system.}}
== Upgrading from XBMC ==
== Upgrading from XBMC ==
{{See| Migration_from_XBMC_to_Kodi}}
{{See| Migration from XBMC to Kodi}}


If you are still using a version of XBMC, you must follow the instructions in [https://kodi.wiki/view/Migration_from_XBMC_to_Kodi this guide] to upgrade to the latest stable release of Kodi.
If you are still using a version of XBMC, you must follow the instructions in [https://kodi.wiki/view/Migration_from_XBMC_to_Kodi this guide] to upgrade to the latest stable release of Kodi.
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Ensure all add-ons and skins you use have also been upgraded to work in the current version of Kodi.
Ensure all add-ons and skins you use have also been upgraded to work in the current version of Kodi.
= Installing older versions of Kodi =
= Installing older versions of Kodi =
Older versions of Kodi can be found at [http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/win32/old/  http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/win32/old/]
Older versions of Kodi can be found at [http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/win32/old/  http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/win32/old/].
= Uninstalling Kodi =
= Uninstalling Kodi =
Kodi is installed in folders in two places. You must remove both folders to completely uninstall it.
Kodi is installed in folders in two places. You must remove both folders to completely uninstall it.
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[[File:Quick-start-0.png|400px|right]]
[[File:Quick-start-0.png|400px|right]]


Run Kodi from the Start menu, by expanding the Kodi folder, then opening the Kodi app.
Open Kodi from the Start menu, by expanding the Kodi folder, then choosing the Kodi app.
When you first run Kodi, you will be told that your library is empty.
When you first run Kodi, you will be told that your library is empty.
To add media to your Kodi library, see the Wiki section for [https://kodi.wiki/view/First_time_user first time users].
To start adding media to your Kodi library, see the Wiki section for [https://kodi.wiki/view/First_time_user first time users].





Revision as of 12:31, 29 July 2020

Home icon grey.png   ▶ Windows ▶ HOW-TO:Install Kodi for Windows
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Choosing a version

To install the most recent stable version of Kodi for Windows, go to http://kodi.tv/download/849.

Recommended

The recommended version of Kodi is the current release Kodi v20.5 Nexus. This version is the stable build and is recommended for general users.

You can download Kodi from the Windows store, which will keep Kodi updated automatically, or you can download an executable installer file (.exe).

Pre-release

The Pre-release version is an early build of the next version of Kodi.

PRE-RELEASE BUILDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNSTABLE AND MIGHT CAUSE CRASHES AND LOSS OF DATA.

THESE BUILDS MIGHT INCLUDE BUGS AND MISSING OR BROKEN FEATURES.

The pre-release builds progress from Alpha to Beta to Release Candidate as they get closer to release.

Pre-release Builds are only for users who want to help improve Kodi by testing and providing feedback on any issues that are discovered.

If you want a stable and stress-free Kodi experience, install the recommended stable build.

Always backup before running a pre-release build.

Development builds

Kodi development builds, or ‘Nightlies’, are nightly snapshots of the current development version. These builds are earlier and more experimental than pre-releases.

DEVELOPMENT BUILDS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNSTABLE AND MIGHT CAUSE CRASHES AND LOSS OF DATA.

THESE BUILDS MIGHT INCLUDE EXPERIMENTAL CHANGES, BUGS AND MISSING OR BROKEN FEATURES.

Development builds are only for users who want to help improve Kodi by testing and providing feedback on any issues that are discovered. Complaints made on the forum about missing or broken features in development builds will be met with silence at best.

If you want a stable and stress-free Kodi experience, install the recommended stable build.

Always backup before running a pre-release build.

Choosing an install method

You can choose from several different ways to install Kodi.

Installer

An executable installer file (.exe) can be downloaded from the Kodi downloads page.

  • Choose the correct installer for your system. (In Windows 10, you can check whether your system is 64-bit or 32-bit in Settings. Choose System, then About. Under Device specifications, check System type. This will tell you whether you are running a 64-bit or 32-bit version of Windows.)
  • After the download has finished, run the installer.
  • Accept the terms of the licence agreement, then choose where to install Kodi.

The following video guide might help you with this process.


Microsoft Store

Kodi can be downloaded from the Windows store using the link on the downloads page.

The Windows store version is the current release, and will be updated automatically. The Windows store version can run on Windows 10 S.

You can read about the introduction of the Windows Store version of Kodi on the Windows Store Blog.

Chocolatey

If you have Chocolatey installed, you can run the command-line installer. Visit the Kodi Package page at Chocolately for instructions.

Portable mode

Portable01.jpg

You can run Kodi in portable mode (Windows only). This gives you the flexibility to run more than one instance of the current version, or several different versions of Kodi – for example, to set up a basic installation for testing.

Follow these steps to install additional Kodi setups on the same computer.

Complete all steps before running Kodi.

  1. Download then run the executable installer file (.exe) for the version of Kodi you want to install. You must change the installation location from the default location. You can choose a removable drive, a different internal drive, or a different folder on the same internal drive.
  2. Find the Kodi.exe application in the folder you just installed. Right-click the application, and choose ‘Create shortcut’.
  3. Right-click the shortcut you created, and choose ‘Properties’. In the ‘Target’ text field, add -p (dash + P) after the file location.

It should look like this: “E:\Kodi v18\kodi.exe” -p

You can now run the portable version of Kodi by opening this shortcut.

NOTE: For portable installations, the Kodi folder will be used as the data folder (where Kodi stores scripts, plugins, skins and userdata). If this folder is deleted or overwritten, your saved data might be lost.


Upgrading Kodi

The dedicated team of Kodi volunteers are always working to improve and enhance your Kodi experience. Several times a year, new stable versions of Kodi are released.

BEFORE UPGRADING KODI:

  • Backup your data by following the instructions here.
  • Ensure your computer still meets Kodi’s minimum requirements in supported hardware.
  • If you use add-ons or skins, check if they have been upgraded to work with the new version of Kodi. If the upgrade is a decimal upgrade (e.g., 18.x to 18.y), all add-ons and skins should still work.

You can upgrade by installing the new version of Kodi by following the installation instructions above. You do not need to uninstall the old version.

The following video guide might help you with this process.

Upgrading from XBMC

See: Migration from XBMC to Kodi

If you are still using a version of XBMC, you must follow the instructions in this guide to upgrade to the latest stable release of Kodi.

Ensure your hardware meets the minimum requirements before upgrading.

Ensure all add-ons and skins you use have also been upgraded to work in the current version of Kodi.

Installing older versions of Kodi

Older versions of Kodi can be found at http://mirrors.kodi.tv/releases/win32/old/.

Uninstalling Kodi

Kodi is installed in folders in two places. You must remove both folders to completely uninstall it.

The Kodi application

The Kodi program is installed by default to C:\Program Files\Kodi\. To uninstall the Kodi application in Windows 10:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Choose Apps, then ‘Apps and features’
  3. Select Kodi in the list of apps
  4. Choose Uninstall.

To uninstall the Kodi application in Windows 7 or Windows 8:

  1. Open Control Panel
  2. Choose ‘Programs and Features’
  3. Select Kodi in the list of apps
  4. Choose Uninstall

The Kodi data folder

After you install Kodi, all changes to Kodi are saved in a data folder. This includes things like your userdata, libraries, skins, and add-ons.

  • If you downloaded and ran the Kodi executable installer file (.exe) manually, the folder will be at C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Roaming\Kodi
  • If you downloaded Kodi from the Microsoft Store, the folder will be at C:\Users\Your User Name\AppData\Local\Packages\XBMCFoundation.Kodi_4n2hpmxwrvr6p\LocalCache\Roaming\Kodi

If you delete the data folder to do a clean installation of Kodi, the data folders will be created again the first time you run Kodi.

Complete Uninstall

To completely uninstall Kodi, uninstall the application then delete the data folder.

Windows Defender

Windows Defender SmartScreen is a feature of Windows that blocks software it does not recognise to protect your computer.

If you download the installer immediately after a new version of Kodi is released, Windows Defender Smartscreen might block the installer.

If the Kodi installer is blocked, click ‘More info’ then ‘Run anyway’ to continue installing Kodi.

NOTE: Changing settings in Windows Security can make your computer less safe. Consider installing Kodi through the Microsoft Store or waiting a few days until Microsoft Defender recognises the new version of Kodi.

To stop Windows Defender SmartScreen blocking the Kodi installer, turn off ‘Check apps and files’ in ‘App & browser control’ in Windows Security, then install Kodi. Remember to turn on 'Check apps and files' after installation is complete.

What next?

Quick-start-0.png

Open Kodi from the Start menu, by expanding the Kodi folder, then choosing the Kodi app. When you first run Kodi, you will be told that your library is empty. To start adding media to your Kodi library, see the Wiki section for first time users.


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