How to Install MongoDB on Windows?

Looking to install MongoDB on your Windows machine? This detailed guide will help you install MongoDB on Windows (Windows Server 2022, 2019, and Windows 11) quickly and efficiently. Whether you’re a developer or a beginner, follow this guide for seamless MongoDB installation, including setting up environment variables and running the MongoDB server.

Requirements for Installing MongoDB on Windows

1. Supported Versions

• MongoDB 4.4 or higher (64-bit only).

2. Compatible Operating Systems:

• Windows Server 2022
  
• Windows Server 2019
  
• Windows 11

2. Permissions Required:

The user running MongoDB services (mongod, mongos) must have membership in the following groups:

• Performance Monitor Users
• Performance Log Users

How to Install MongoDB on Windows Using MSI

To install MongoDB on Windows, first, download the MongoDB server and then install the MongoDB shell. The Steps below explain the installation process in detail and provide the required resources for the smooth download and install MongoDB.

Step 1: Download MongoDB Community Server

Go to the MongoDB Download Center to download the MongoDB Community Server.

Here, You can select any version, Windows, and package according to your requirement. For Windows, we need to choose:

• Version: 7.0.4
• OS: Windows x64
• Package: msi

Step 2: Install MongoDB

• When the download is complete open the msi file and click the next button in the startup screen:

• Now accept the End-User License Agreement and click the next button:

• Now select the complete option to install all the program features. Here, if you can want to install only selected program features and want to select the location of the installation, then use the Custom option:

Step 3: Configure MongoDB Service

• Select “Run service as Network Service user” and copy the path of the data directory. Click Next:

• Click the Install button to start the MongoDB installation process:

• After clicking on the install button installation of MongoDB begins:

Step 4: Complete Installation

• Now click the Finish button to complete the MongoDB installation process:

Step 5: Set Environment Variables

• Now we go to the location where MongoDB installed in step 5 in your system and copy the bin path:

• Now, to create an environment variable open system properties >> Environment Variable >> System variable >> path >> Edit Environment variable
• paste the copied link to your environment system and click Ok:

Run MongoDB Server (mongod)

Step 1. Start MongoDB Service

• After setting the environment variable, we will run the MongoDB server, i.e. mongod.
   
• So, open the command prompt and run the following command:

 mongod

When you run this command you will get an error i.e. C:/data/db/ not found. 

Step 2. Create Required Folders

• Now, Open C drive and create a folder named "data"
  
• Inside the data folder create another folder named "db".

Step 3. Restart MongoDB

After creating these folders. Again open the command prompt and run the following command:

 mongod

Now, this time the MongoDB server(i.e., mongod) will run successfully.

Run the MongoDB Shell (mongosh)

Starting from MongoDB version 5.0, the traditional MongoDB shell (mongo) has been deprecated. The recommended shell for interacting with MongoDB databases is now mongosh, which provides improved functionality, better syntax, and full compatibility with the latest MongoDB features.

Step 1. Connect to MongoDB Server with mongosh

• Now we are going to connect our server (mongod) with the mongo shell. So, keep that mongod window
  
• open a new command prompt window and type:

mongosh

• You are now connected to the MongoDB shell.

Please do not close the mongod window if you close this window your server will stop working and it will not able to connect with the mongo shell.

Step 2. Create a Database

Now we can make a new database, collections, and documents in our shell. Use the following command within the mongosh shell to create a new database:

use database_name

The use Database_name command makes a new database in the system if it does not exist, if the database exists it uses that database:

use gfg

Step 3: Add Data to a Collection

Insert a document into a collection using:

db.collection_name.insertOne({field: value})

The db.Collection_name command makes a new collection in the gfg database and the insertOne() method inserts the document in the student collection:

db.student.insertOne({Akshay:500})

Installing MongoDB on Windows Without Admin Rights

Here is Step by Step process on How to Install MongoDB on Windows without Admin Rights -

Step 1: Download the MongoDB ZIP Archive

Get the ZIP version of MongoDB from the official MongoDB website.

Step 2: Extract Files

Extract the ZIP archive to a location on your computer where you have write permissions, such as your user directory.

Step 3: locate the "bin" folder

• Navigate to the extracted MongoDB directory and locate the "bin" folder.
  
• Open a command prompt window and navigate to the "bin" folder within the MongoDB directory.

Step 4: Run MongoDB Server Without Installation

Run the MongoDB server by executing the command with the path to the directory where you want to store MongoDB data files. Make sure to use a location where you have write permissions.

Command: mongod.exe --dbpath=path\to\data\directory, replacing "path\to\data\directory"

Step 5: Run MongoDB Shell

• MongoDB should now be running locally on your Windows system without the need for admin rights.
  
• You can interact with MongoDB using the MongoDB shell by running the command

mongo.exe

By following these steps, you can install and run MongoDB on Windows without admin rights, allowing you to work with MongoDB databases on your local machine.

Important Points to Remember

• The old MongoDB shell command mongo is deprecated from MongoDB version 5.0 onward.
• Always use the modern mongosh command for compatibility with new features.
• Ensure the MongoDB server (mongod) runs continuously while interacting through mongosh.

Conclusion

Installing MongoDB on Windows is simple and flexible, whether we have administrative rights or not. By following the outlined steps, we can successfully set up the MongoDB server, configure the necessary environment variables, and start working with MongoDB databases using the MongoDB Shell. This guide walks us through both standard installation using MSI and manual setup without admin rights.

By following these steps, we can start using MongoDB to create and manage databases on our Windows machine. For more in-depth learning, check out our MongoDB Tutorial or MongoDB: An Introduction.