0.2Installation & trial version
The essentials in 30 seconds
- WinDev is commercial: a paid license is required to produce, but a free trial version that is complete lets you learn and evaluate.
- Download from the official PC SOFT source: security, integrity, updates; the full workshop is large.
- One major version per year; opening a project in a newer version converts it — back up before any migration.
Mini-case thread — Yacine installs the trial for his trading business
Yacine wants to evaluate WinDev before his electrical equipment SME in Oran incurs costs. He downloads the trial version from the official PC SOFT website, creates an account, then checks the system requirements: the full workshop is large and the development environment is Windows. He runs the wizard, chooses the components and activates the trial. Since he already has an old invoicing project open in an earlier version, he keeps the key precaution in mind: back up a complete copy of the project folder before any migration, because conversion to a newer version is generally irreversible. Yacine's goal: build a working prototype of his stock management during the trial.
Standalone case for this section: it returns in the course, the diagram, the script and the 48h challenge of section 0.2.
1. License and trial version
WinDev is commercial software: production use requires a paid license (bought from PC SOFT or a reseller). But PC SOFT offers a free trial version, generally time-limited and functionally very complete: it is the ideal entry point for learning and evaluating without commitment. ⚠️ The exact terms (duration, limitations, prices) vary by version and country: always check the official website.
2. Installing from the official source
You download only from the official PC SOFT website: security, software integrity and access to updates. You check the system requirements for your version (Windows development environment, comfortable memory and disk space). A wizard then guides the installation and lets you choose components (WinDev alone, or the full range if you have it), then you activate the license or trial. Yacine keeps the rule: never install from a third-party source.
3. Annual versions and conversion
PC SOFT releases a major version every year (28, 29, 2025…). Several versions can coexist on the same machine, which helps maintain older applications. ⚠️ Major precaution: a project opened in a newer version is generally converted and cannot go back. Before any migration, Yacine backs up a complete copy of the project folder, then migrates a copy first and retests.
🔎 Concrete example — 🔎 Concrete example — first test after installation
Once the trial is installed, Yacine checks with a mini-program that the workshop compiles and can access the database:
// WinDev environment startup test
sApplication est une chaîne = "Négoce Électro Oran"
Trace("Environnement prêt — application : " + sApplication)
SI HNbEnregistrement(Produit) >= 0 ALORS
Info("Base HFSQL accessible")
FINReading: a small test confirms that installation, compilation and HFSQL access work before investing time.
Lesson: preparing your use case before activating the trial avoids spending the first days wondering what to do.
Section vocabulary
- Trial version
- Free and complete version of WinDev, time-limited, for learning and evaluating.
Simple example: Yacine builds his management prototype during the trial.
What it is not: a perpetual license sufficient for production.
Reflex: evaluate without commitment → trial.
- License
- Paid right to use WinDev, required to run an application in production.
Simple example: Yacine's SME buys a license to move into operation.
What it is not: a simple free online registration.
Reflex: produce long-term → license.
- Official source
- The PC SOFT website: the only safe download channel (integrity, updates).
Simple example: Yacine always downloads from pcsoft.fr.
What it is not: an unofficial mirror site.
Reflex: safe download → PC SOFT.
- Annual versions
- PC SOFT releases one major version per year; several versions can coexist on a machine.
Simple example: Yacine keeps an older version for an existing project.
What it is not: a single version available for life.
Reflex: keep the old one → coexistence.
- Project conversion
- Opening a project in a newer version converts it, generally with no way back.
Simple example: Yacine backs up before opening a project in the new version.
What it is not: an update that can be reversed at will.
Reflex: migration → back up first.
In practice — In practice — installing WinDev and getting started
- Download the trial version from the official PC SOFT website (create an account) — never from a third-party source.
- Check the system requirements for your version (Windows environment, memory, disk space) before starting the installation.
- Follow the wizard, choosing the components you want, then activate the license or the trial.
- Before any migration to a newer version, apply Yacine's reflex: back up a complete copy of the project (conversion is generally irreversible).
Step-by-step script — install and get started (Yacine)
// Starting WinDev for the trading project // 1) Download the trial from pcsoft.fr (official source) // 2) Check the system requirements for the version // 3) Install the components, then activate the license or trial // 4) Open a test project and compile // 5) Back up the complete folder before any migration sVersion est une chaîne = "version d'essai" Info("WinDev prêt — " + sVersion)
Backing up the complete folder before migration is the key precaution of this section.
Copy-paste template — pre-migration check
// Template — Yacine's reflex before opening a project in a newer version
// 1) Close the project in WinDev
// 2) Copy the ENTIRE project folder (and the test database)
// 3) Open the copy in the new version, then retest
sDossierProjet est une chaîne = "D:\\Projets\\NegoceElec"
Trace("Sauvegarder avant migration : " + sDossierProjet)Trial to learn
Yacine uses the trial version to train and prototype his management application without commitment.
Going into production
When the application goes to users, Yacine's SME buys a license.
Official source
Yacine refuses an installer found on a forum and downloads from pcsoft.fr.
Careful migration
Yacine backs up the complete folder, migrates a copy and retests before adopting the new version.
✓ Best practices
- Download only from pcsoft.fr.
- Prepare your use case before activating the trial so you do not lose days.
- Back up the complete folder before any version migration.
✗ Common pitfalls
- Installing WinDev from a non-official source.
- Buying a license before even evaluating the tool on a real case.
- Migrating versions without a backup (irreversible conversion).
Key takeaways
- WinDev is commercial (paid license to produce) but offers a free trial version that is complete.
- Download from the official PC SOFT source and check the system requirements.
- One major version per year; several versions can coexist on a machine.
- Opening a project in a newer version converts it: back up before any migration.
48h challenge — apply it tomorrow
Like Yacine, download the trial version from the official PC SOFT website, then write in three lines: your use case during the trial (e.g. mini stock management), the system requirements you checked, and the backup reflex you will apply before any version migration.
- I know that WinDev is commercial, with a free trial version.
- I always download from the official PC SOFT source.
- I back up the complete folder before any version migration.
Frequently asked questions
Should you migrate to every new annual WinDev version?
No, not systematically. Migrating brings new features and support, but has a cost and a risk of regression. The right method — Yacine's — is to migrate thoughtfully: back up a complete copy, migrate that copy first, then retest the application. And never in a hurry.
Can you learn and develop seriously with the trial version alone?
Yes for learning and prototyping: the trial version is functionally very complete (analysis, windows, WLangage, reports, RAD, debugging). No for running an application in production long-term, which requires a license. The ideal is to prepare your goal before activating the trial, like Yacine with his stock prototype.
What should you know before installing WinDev?