2.3.3.1 Extracting the Install Archive

To install MySQL manually, do the following:

1. If you are upgrading from a previous version then refer to Section 3.11, “Upgrading MySQL on Windows” before beginning the upgrade process.

2. Make sure that you are logged in as a user with administrator privileges.

3. Choose an installation location. Traditionally, the MySQL server is installed in C:\mysql. If you do not install MySQL at C:\mysql, you must specify the path to the install directory during startup or in an option file. See Section 2.3.3.2, “Creating an Option File”.

   Note

   The MSI installs MySQL under C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 8.4.

4. Extract the install archive to the chosen installation location using your preferred file-compression tool. Some tools may extract the archive to a folder within your chosen installation location. If this occurs, you can move the contents of the subfolder into the chosen installation location.