How do I install Gurobi on Windows without administrator credentials?

Installing Gurobi on Windows requires administrator permissions because system-wide changes are performed, including updating system environment variables. If you do not have administrator credentials, you're still in luck because we've outlined the modified installation instructions below. 

Notes:

• These instructions are for installing Gurobi Optimizer. Gurobi Remote Services and the Gurobi Token Server require administrator credentials to install.
• If you plan to use Gurobi from Python only, you can use our pip package or our Anaconda package.
• If you are able to install with administrator credentials, please follow the original instructions for Installing Gurobi Optimizer.

Installing Gurobi Optimizer on Windows without Admin credentials 

Step 1: Download the Gurobi Optimization Software

1. Go to our download page.
2. Find your platform (64-bit Windows).
3. Choose the corresponding file to download.
4. Make a note of the name and location of the downloaded file. 

Step 2: Software installation

1. .*Extract software files
   

   Follow the instructions in How do I extract files from the Gurobi MSI installer package? Please make a note of the location of the extracted files (e.g., C:\gurobi1001\win64). We'll refer to the installation directory as <installdir>. 

   If you are unfamiliar with running command-line commands on a Windows system, you can learn more here.
   
   

2. Retrieve and set up a Gurobi license.

   To do this, please follow the instructions in Retrieving and Setting Up a Gurobi License. You can store the license key file anywhere, but we strongly recommend that you accept the default location for your system. Setting up a non-default location is error-prone and a frequent source of trouble. If you do need to store the license file somewhere other than the default location, please see Where do I place the Gurobi license file (gurobi.lic)? for important details.

   If you do not have a Gurobi license, please see Obtaining a Gurobi License.  
   
   

3. *Set up environment variables.

   You will modify/create two environment variables. This can be done at the command line or using the system graphical interface. To use the Environment Variables graphical interface:

   1. 1. Open the Start Search, type in “env”, and choose “Edit environment variables for your account”.
      2. Add the Gurobi bin directory to the Path system variable.
         1. 1. In "User Variables" select the Path variable and click the Edit... button (or create the Path variable if it does not yet exist).
            2. Click New and add<installdir>\bin (e.g., C:\gurobi1001\win64\bin).
            3. Click "OK".
               
               
      3. Create the GUROBI_HOME variable.
         1. 1. In "User Variables", click New.
            2. Set the "Variable name" to GUROBI_HOME and "Variable value" to <installdir> (e.g., C:\gurobi1001\win64).
            3. Click "OK".
               
               
               
4. [Optional] Install the Gurobi Python interface.

   If you plan to use the Gurobi Python interface, follow the instructions in How do I install Gurobi for Python? We recommend option 3, since you are doing a full Gurobi installation.
   
   

5. [Optional] Restart.

   For some third-party software that uses Gurobi as a solver, a restart may be required. This ensures that the updated environment variables are properly propagated in all tools and apps.
   
   

Step 3: Test the installation

To test that the Gurobi is working properly, you can do one of the following:

• Review Solving a Simple Model - The Gurobi Command Line.
• Review Interactive Shell.
• Run one of the example models that are packaged with the Gurobi install. For example, you could run the following in your command window:

  > gurobi_cl <installdir>\examples\data\coins.lp

* Modified to work without administrator credentials

These instructions modified the Software Installation Guide portion of our Quick Start Guide. Please review the other sections of the Gurobi Optimizer Quick Start Guide - Windows. This will help you create a simple example, use the Gurobi interactive shell, select a programming environment, and more.

Further information

• Gurobi Optimizer Quick Start Guide - Windows
• Gurobi Example Tour
• Gurobi Reference Manual