Hardware and software requirements on Windows systems

Check that the server environment meets the prerequisites for installing IBM® WebSphere® MQ for Windows and install any prerequisite software that is missing from your system from the server DVD.

Before installing IBM WebSphere MQ, you must check that your system meets the hardware and software requirements set out on the IBM WebSphere MQ system requirements page at System Requirements for IBM WebSphere MQ.

You must also review the release notes file, which is on the product DVD in the \Readmes folder for each national language, and check the READADD.txt file for any changes made between translation and the manufacturing of the installation DVD. READADD.txt is found in the root directory of the server installation DVD. During installation, the release notes file is copied to the IBM WebSphere MQ program files folder.

Storage requirements for IBM WebSphere MQ server

The storage requirements depend on which components you install, and how much working space you need. The storage requirements also depend on the number of queues that you use, the number and size of the messages on the queues, and whether the messages are persistent. You also require archiving capacity on disk, tape, or other media. For more information, see the IBM WebSphere MQ system requirements page at, System Requirements for IBM WebSphere MQ.

Disk storage is also required:
  • Prerequisite software
  • Optional software
  • Your application programs

Requirements for IBM WebSphere MQ Explorer

If you want to use the IBM WebSphere MQ Explorer, the following minimum requirements apply:
  • 512 MB of RAM
  • A 1 GHz processor
  • A monitor with a screen resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels

Install directory used for 64 bit Windows operating systems

On 64 bit Windows systems, IBM WebSphere MQ is installed into the default 32 bit installation location: C:\Program Files (x86)\IBM\WebSphere MQ.

If you select a non-default directory for installing Windows, do not try to install into C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere MQ. C:\Program Files can only contain 64 bit programs.

If you are doing a silent installation and you select C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere MQ as the installation directory, the installer writes an error to the error log and the installation fails.

Wherever the default installation location occurs in the documentation or C:\Program Files\IBM\WebSphere MQ is documented, for 64 bit operating systems the file path is C:\Program Files (x86)\IBM\WebSphere MQ.

Installing prerequisite software

To install the prerequisite software provided on the IBM WebSphere MQ Server DVD (which does not include service packs or web browsers), do one of the following:

  • Use the IBM WebSphere MQ installation procedure.

    When you install using the IBM WebSphere MQ Server DVD, there is a Software Prerequisites option in the IBM WebSphere MQ Installation Launchpad window. You can use this option to check what prerequisite software is already installed and which is missing, and to install any missing software.

  • Use Windows Explorer:
    1. Use Windows Explorer to select the Prereqs folder on the IBM WebSphere MQ Server DVD.
    2. Select the folder for the software item to be installed.
    3. Start the installation program.