[Windows]

Hardware and software requirements on Windows systems

Check that the server environment meets the prerequisites for installing IBM® MQ for Windows and install any prerequisite software that is missing from your system from the server DVD.

Before you install IBM MQ, you must check that your system meets the hardware and software requirements.

You must also review the product readme file, which includes information about last-minute changes and known problems and workarounds. For the latest version of the product readme file, see the IBM MQ, WebSphere® MQ, and MQSeries® product readmes web page.

Supported versions of Windows

For a list of the supported versions of the Windows operating system, see the System Requirements for IBM MQ website and follow the links to the Detailed System Requirements report for Windows. There are separate reports for Long Term Support and Continuous Delivery.

Although IBM MQ 9.1, and later, no longer supports some earlier versions of the Windows operating system referred to in the documentation, these earlier versions of Windows might still be supported for an earlier version of IBM MQ installed in the same domain as an IBM MQ 9.1 or later installation.

Changes to Windows features in Windows 10

The names of some of the Windows features have changed in Windows 10:
  • Windows Explorer is File Explorer
  • My Computer is called This PC
  • The way in which you start the Control Panel is different
  • The default browser is Microsoft Edge.
    Note: The IBM MQ Console supports only the following browsers:
    • Microsoft Edge
    • Google Chrome
    • Mozilla Firefox

Storage requirements for IBM MQ server

The storage requirements depend on which components you install, and how much working space you need. The storage requirements also depend on the number of queues that you use, the number and size of the messages on the queues, and whether the messages are persistent. You also require archiving capacity on disk, tape, or other media. For more information, see System Requirements for IBM MQ.

Disk storage is also required:
  • Prerequisite software
  • Optional software
  • Your application programs

Requirements for IBM MQ Explorer

IBM MQ Explorer can be installed either as part of the product installation, or from the stand-alone IBM MQ Explorer support pack MS0T.
  • The product version is available for Windows x86_64.
  • The support pack version is available for Windows x86 and x86_64.
The requirements for installing IBM MQ Explorer as part of the product installation, and not as the stand-alone IBM MQ Explorer support pack MS0T, include:
  • A 64-bit (x86_64) processor
  • 64-bit Windows operating system
Attention: From IBM MQ 9.0.0, the 32-bit version of IBM MQ Explorer is no longer supported.
For further information about Windows requirements, see IBM MQ Explorer Requirements and the following web pages:
[MQ 9.2.0 Jul 2020]

Requirements for IBM MQ classes for .NET

From IBM MQ 9.1.1, the following prerequisites apply to IBM MQ classes for .NET:
  • .NET Core 2.1 is a prerequisite to use IBM MQ classes for .NET Standard, for developing .NET Core applications.
  • .NET Framework V4.7.1 is a prerequisite to use IBM MQ classes for .NET Standard, for developing .NET Framework applications.

Installation directories used for Windows operating systems

The 64-bit IBM MQ server or client, by default, installs its program directories into the 64-bit installation location: C:\Program Files\IBM\MQ.

Attention: From IBM MQ 9.0.0, there is no separate 32-bit client installation package. The client installation package and redistributable client contain both 32-bit and 64-bit IBM MQ client libraries. The included 32-bit libraries can be used by 32-bit applications on supported platforms where 32-bit support is offered by the operating system.

The default data directory that is used by IBM MQ changed in IBM MQ 8.0 to C:\ProgramData\IBM\MQ. This change affects both servers, in 32 and 64 bits and clients in 64 bits. However, if there has been a previous installation of IBM MQ on the machine on which you are installing, the new installation continues to use the existing data directory location. For more information, see Program and data directory locations.

Installing prerequisite software

To install the prerequisite software that is provided on the IBM MQ Server DVD (which does not include service packs or web browsers), choose one of the following options:

  • Use the IBM MQ installation procedure.

    When you install using the IBM MQ Server DVD, there is a Software Prerequisites option in the IBM MQ Installation Launchpad window. You can use this option to check what prerequisite software is already installed and what is missing, and then install any missing software.

  • Use Windows Explorer:
    1. Use Windows Explorer to select the Prereqs folder on the IBM MQ Server DVD.
    2. Select the folder for the software item to be installed.
    3. Start the installation program.