> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.abbyy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with Installation in Windows

> Get started installing ABBYY FineReader Engine on Windows: pick Developer or Runtime, automatic or manual, Standalone or Network, with Online or Software protection.

## Choosing your installation type

To identify the best installation help for you, you'll need to answer a few questions.

First, why are you installing the library?

* If you are going to develop a new application that uses the library, you need a [Developer installation](/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/developer-installation).
* If you have developed an application that uses the library, you need a [Runtime installation](/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation) on the end user computer or workstation.

### Runtime Installation type

Next, which installation type do you need?

* The standalone installation is intended for when your application is running on just one local computer; the license information will be kept on the same computer.
* The network installation allows you to store the licenses on a remote server and distribute them between the workstations as needed.

The type of Runtime [License](/fine-reader/engine/licensing) required depends on your installation type: a Standalone Runtime License for a standalone installation, and a Network Runtime License for a network installation.

### Installation method

Then, which installation method will you use?

* Automatic installation - Uses the built-in ABBYY command-line installer or copy the files manually/write your own script to do it
* Manual installation - Useful if your application requires a specific functionality subset, and you want to save disk space by omitting all unnecessary resource files.

### License Protection

Finally, which license protection type do you have? As described under [Activation](/fine-reader/engine/licensing/activation), two types of protection are available:

* Online protection - connection with ABBYY Online licensing service over the Internet for license usage.
* Software protection - a serial number requiring activation.

There are minor differences in the installation instructions, and each scenario is described for these protection types.

## Installation Scenarios

Now that you have the necessary information, use the table below to choose your installation scenario.

<table><thead><tr><th rowspan="2"><p><strong>Installation Type</strong></p></th><th colspan="2"><p><strong>Mode of Library Installation</strong></p></th></tr><tr><th><p><strong>Automatic</strong></p></th><th><p><strong>Manual</strong></p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Standalone</strong></p></td><td><ol><li value="1"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/automatic-standalone-runtime-installation#asri_o">Online protection</a></li><li value="2"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/automatic-standalone-runtime-installation#asri_s">Software protection</a></li></ol></td><td><ol><li value="1"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/manual-standalone-runtime-installation#msri_o">Online protection</a></li><li value="2"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/manual-standalone-runtime-installation#msri_s">Software protection</a></li></ol></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Network</strong></p></td><td><ol><li value="1"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/automatic-network-runtime-installation#asri_o">Online protection</a></li><li value="2"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/automatic-network-runtime-installation#msri_s">Software protection</a></li></ol></td><td><ol><li value="1"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/manual-network-runtime-installation#mnri_o">Online protection</a></li><li value="2"><a href="/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation/manual-network-runtime-installation#mnri_s">Software protection</a></li></ol></td></tr></tbody></table>

All of the ABBYY FineReader Engine (FRE) installations, except the developer installation, follow the same basic process:

1. First, install your application on the workstation.
2. Next, install the Licensing Service.
3. Finally, set up the license which permits you to use the library.

## ABBYY FineReader Engine in a native environment

You may run ABBYY FineReader Engine inside:

* two separate Docker containers: the first one with FineReader Engine, and the second one with the Licensing Service. See details in [Running ABBYY FineReader Engine 12 inside a Docker container](/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/running-abbyy-finereader-engine-12-inside-a-docker-container).
* Azure Services using projects and Azure Storage for processing your files. See details in [Running ABBYY FineReader Engine in Azure Services](/fine-reader/engine/distribution/distribution-windows/running-abbyy-finereader-engine-inside-azure-services).

## See also

* [Runtime installation](/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/runtime-installation)
* [Developer installation](/fine-reader/engine/installation/installation-windows/developer-installation)