Learning Center

COMSOL^® Installation Companion

This article provides the resources you need to install COMSOL Multiphysics^® and its related products. Get started with our installation wizard, which recommends guides based on your valid license type, operating system, and the action you want to complete.

Installation Essentials

In addition to referring to the resources recommended from the installation wizard, you may directly refer to "How to Install COMSOL Multiphysics^®" for a standardized guide that works with with any license type. 

Note: Floating Network Licenses (FNL), Class Kit Licenses (CKL), and installations on Linux^® additionally require an installed and running license manager. See "How to Install the COMSOL License Manager".

Updating vs. Upgrading Your Version of COMSOL Multiphysics^®

An upgrade is a fresh installation of a new major version of COMSOL Multiphysics^®, which requires a new license and can be installed without removing your current version. Upgrading versions closely follows the process of a new installation. See the product download page once you have your new license.

Alternatively, an update brings functionality and error fixes in the version you are currently running, without the requirement for a new license. We recommend installing the updates from within the software. See "How to Update Your Current Version of COMSOL Multiphysics^®" for a walkthrough.

If you have an active license subscription, you will receive emails when new major versions are available for installation. The emails include installation resources and are sent from the region associated with your account.

Installing COMSOL Server™ and COMSOL Client

COMSOL Server™ is used to centrally manage, deploy, and run COMSOL applications. Deployed applications can be run in a browser, or the COMSOL Client is available for systems running Windows^®. See "How to Install COMSOL Server™" and "How to Install COMSOL Client onto Your Computer" for installation help.

Additional Installation Resources

• COMSOL^® Documentation
• License Management:
  • How to Start the COMSOL License Manager
• License Administration
  • How to Add New Products to COMSOL Multiphysics^® Installations
  • How to Update Your CPU/NSL License File
  • How to Update Your Network License File
• Misc.
  • Setting Up GPU-Accelerated Computing in COMSOL Multiphysics^®
  • Setting Up the Chatbot Window

If you have issues during installation, please refer to the COMSOL Troubleshooting Guide. If you have an error while downloading you may reference the associated Knowledge Base entry Error: "Error downloading file" during installation.(/support/knowledgebase/1149).