> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows.md).

# Installing Collector on Windows

The following sections explain the Collector installation and deployment methods in detail.

See the [Installing Collector](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector.md) documentation to learn how to decide on the installation and deployment method applicable to your infrastructure.

## Before you begin <a href="#installingcollectoronwindows-prerequisites" id="installingcollectoronwindows-prerequisites"></a>

Before you begin the installation procedure, ensure you have the following things:

* URL of your Nexthink instance, including `data` in the path:\
  `<instance>.data.<region>.nexthink.cloud`\
  For more information about the URL, see the [Connectivity requirements](/platform/configuring_nexthink/before-you-begin/technical-requirements/connectivity-requirements.md).
* One or more Windows devices on which to install Collector.
* Administrator credentials in your Nexthink instance.
* The Collector installation package; see the obtaining Collector section.
* The customer key in the `Customer Key.txt` file, which you receive in your welcome email from Nexthink.
* The root certificate associated with your Nexthink instance.
* **Optional**: A third-party deployment tool or Unified Endpoint Manager (UEM), such as Microsoft Intune.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Ensure that no version of Nexthink Collector is running on the Windows instance. When applicable, uninstall the existing Collector version.
{% endhint %}

## Installation procedure overview <a href="#installingcollectoronwindows-prerequisites" id="installingcollectoronwindows-prerequisites"></a>

This section outlines the installation procedure and the decisions you have to take before and during the process. On a high level, the procedure includes the following steps:

```mermaid
%%{ init : { "theme" : "default", "flowchart" : { "curve" : "linear" }}}%%

flowchart LR
  n1(Meet general
  prerequisites) --> n2(Obtain
  Collector)
  --> n3(Select
  Collector artifact)
  --> n4(Configure
  Collector)
  --> n5(Install and test
  Collector
  on one device) --> n6(Deploy Collector
  to the rest of devices)
```

{% hint style="info" %}
VDI Client Extension is enabled automatically for all devices in your environment when using VDI Experience. Ensure you are using Collector version 25.4.1 or above.

For older Collector versions, Nexthink recommends upgrading to the most recent Collector version to ensure that the VDI Client Extension is enabled without requiring redeployment.
{% endhint %}

Proceed by reading the relevant section based on the endpoint agent you selected in the previous step.

### Collector installation overview

This section outlines the Collector installation process. To get started, take the [small-scale setup](#installing-collector-for-small-scale-setup) or [medium to large-scale setup](#installing-collector-for-medium-to-large-scale-setup) installation path based on the scale of your environment.

#### Installing Collector for a small-scale setup

Small-scale setups include, for example, proof-of-concept scenarios and unmanaged environments.

1. Obtain [Collector](#obtaining-collector)
2. Configure Collector with your client information using the [Nexthink Collector Installer](#installingcollectoronwindows-prerequisites-3) or the [Windows Installer](#installingcollectoronwindows-deployingcollectorusingactivedirectorygrouppolicy)
3. Install Collector on a [single endpoint device](#installingcollectoronwindows-installingcollectoronasingledevice-1)
4. Ensure a good connection to your Nexthink instance; if needed, troubleshoot by reconfiguring Collector
5. Manually install Collector on the rest of the endpoint devices

#### Installing Collector for a medium to large-scale setup

Medium to large-scale setups include managed IT environments with, in many cases, thousands of endpoint devices. Select your device type from the following tabs to see the installation steps.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Physical endpoint device" %}

1. Understand the [general prerequisites](#installingcollectoronwindows-prerequisites-1)
2. Obtain [Collector](#obtaining-collector)
3. Configure Collector with your client information using the [Windows Installer](#installingcollectoronwindows-deployingcollectorusingactivedirectorygrouppolicy)
4. Install Collector on a [single endpoint device](#installingcollectoronwindows-installingcollectoronasingledevice-1)
5. Ensure a good connection to your Nexthink instance; if needed, troubleshoot by reconfiguring Collector
6. Deploy Collector to the rest of the endpoint devices using a [deployment method](#installingcollectoronwindows-deployingcollectorusingactivedirectorygrouppolicy-1) applicable to your infrastructure
   {% endtab %}

{% tab title="VM" %}

1. Install the appropriate [virtualization connector](#connectors) for your environment
2. If needed, disable [auto-updates for non-persistent VDI](#disable-auto-updates-for-non-persistent-vdi)
3. Deploy Collector on the VMs using a [deployment method](#installingcollectoronwindows-deployingcollectorusingactivedirectorygrouppolicy-1) applicable to your virtual infrastructure
4. If you are deploying Collector within a Windows reference image, follow the steps in [the relevant section here](#installingcollectoronwindows-deployingcollectorwithinawindowsreferenceimage)
   {% endtab %}
   {% endtabs %}

***

Perform the deployment by following the procedures in the relevant subsections in this documentation:

* [Obtaining Collector](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows/obtaining-collector.md)
* [Configuring Collector for endpoint devices](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows/configuring-collector-on-device-tp.md)
* [Configuring Collector for VMs](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows/configuring-collector-on-vm-tp.md)
* [Installing Collector on a single device](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows/installing-collector-on-device-tp.md)
* [Installing Collector on VMs](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows/installing-collector-on-vm-tp.md)
* [Deploying Collector](/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows/deploying-collector-on-windows-tp.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/configuring_nexthink/bringing-data-into-your-nexthink-instance/deploying-nexthink-in-non-vdi-environment/installing-collector/installing-collector-on-windows.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.