Install a client
Important
This content is archived and is not being updated. For the latest documentation, see Microsoft Dynamics 365 product documentation. For the latest release plans, see Dynamics 365 and Microsoft Power Platform release plans.
Applies To: Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R3, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Feature Pack, Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012
When you install a Microsoft Dynamics AX client, the following components are included:
The Microsoft Dynamics AX interface that connects to an instance of Application Object Server (AOS)
The Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration utility
You can access the Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration utility from the Administrative Tools menu. On computers that run Windows 7, Administrative Tools is an item in Control Panel.
If you are installing many clients, we recommend that you install them from a file server and create a shared configuration file. For more information, see Mass deployment of the Microsoft Dynamics AX Windows client.
Note
If you are upgrading clients between AX 2012, AX 2012 Feature Pack, AX 2012 R2, and AX 2012 R3, you should review Scenario: Perform in-place upgrade to AX 2012 R2 or AX 2012 R3.
Before you install a client
Complete the following tasks before you install a Microsoft Dynamics AX client.
Read Client security and protection to learn about deployment best practices that can help secure the Microsoft Dynamics AX client.
On the computer where you plan to install the client, run the prerequisite validation utility to verify that system requirements have been met. For information about how to run the prerequisite validation utility, see Check prerequisites.
For more information about the hardware and software requirements for Microsoft Dynamics AX, see the system requirements.
Install the Microsoft Dynamics AX databases and AOS in the environment.
Install a client
Use this procedure to install a Microsoft Dynamics AX client by using the Setup wizard. If you install other Microsoft Dynamics AX components at the same time, the installation pages vary, depending on the components that you are installing.
Start Microsoft Dynamics AX Setup. Under Install, select Microsoft Dynamics AX components.
Advance through the first wizard pages.
If the Setup Support files have not yet been installed on this computer, the Select a file location page is displayed. The Setup Support files are required for installation. Provide a file location or accept the default location, and then click Next. On the Ready to install page, click Install.
If you’re installing AX 2012 R3, in the Select an installation option page, click Microsoft Dynamics AX.
On the Select installation type page, click Custom installation, and then click Next.
On the Select components page, select Client, and then click Next.
On the Prerequisite validation results page, resolve any errors. For more information about how to resolve prerequisite errors, see Check prerequisites. When no errors remain, click Next.
If you are installing on a 64-bit operating system, the Select a file location page is displayed. Select the location where you want to install 32-bit versions of Microsoft Dynamics AX files, and then click Next.
On the Select client preferences page, select the display language that is used in the client, and specify whether you want Setup to create a desktop shortcut for the client. Additionally, select one of the following installation types:
Business user – The basic client is installed. This type of client installation is appropriate for most users.
Developer – The client, the developer workspace, and additional files that are required for development tasks are installed.
Administrator – The client and additional files that are required for administrative tasks are installed. Administrative tasks include the deployment of artifacts and the creation of users.
Click Next.
On the Specify a location for configuration settings page, specify whether you want the client to access configuration information from the registry on the local computer or from a shared configuration file. If you want to use a shared configuration file, you must enter the network location of the file.
If you use a shared configuration file, client configuration settings are not stored locally, and the Microsoft Dynamics AX Configuration utility is not installed on the client computer.
Note
If you install the client at the same time as an AOS instance, this screen is not displayed, and configuration settings are saved in the registry automatically.
For more information about how to use a shared configuration file, see Configure clients to use a shared configuration.
Click Next.
On the Connect to an AOS instance page, enter the name of the computer that runs the AOS instance that you want to connect to. You can optionally specify the name of the AOS instance, the TCP/IP port number, and the WSDL port for services.
If you do not know the name of the AOS instance or the port information, contact the Microsoft Dynamics AX administrator.
Note
If you entered information about the AOS connection for other Microsoft Dynamics AX components that are installed on this computer, this page is not displayed. Subsequent installations on the same computer reuse the existing AOS connection.
Click Next.
On the Prerequisite validation results page, resolve any errors. When no errors remain, click Next.
On the Ready to install page, click Install.
After the installation is completed, click Finish to close the wizard.