FileMaker Pro - Installation Instructions

Notes About the Installation Process

Administrator Privileges

The installation process requires administrator privileges. Windows users must log into their computers with an administrator account. Macintosh users will be prompted to authenticate with an administrator username and password.

Upgrading

If you are planning to migrate to the current version of FileMaker Pro from version 11 or earlier, be sure to read about upgrade considerations first. Note: FileMaker 12 released with a new file format. The instructions for upgrading from earlier versions to the new file format have not changed since 12.

Note: The FileMaker Pro installer will not automatically remove earlier versions of FileMaker. Unless you need to run multiple versions of FileMaker Pro, you should uninstall the previous versions.

See FileMaker's Installation and New Features Guide

This document includes step-by-step instructions and screen shots for installing the software. You may wish to print out and follow the appropriate sections of the guide to perform the installation. The guide can be downloaded from FileMaker Product Documentation (PDF).

Release Notes

Review FileMaker's Release Notes document, which covers issues known at the time of the software release. FileMaker Pro Release Notes.

Obtain and Install

1. Go to [IS&T's Software Grid|ist.mit.edu/filemaker] and select the most recent version of FileMaker Pro. Note: If you need FileMaker Pro Advanced, you must fill out the associated request form rather than download it directly from the grid.
2. If you see a prompt "Login Required", click on login via Touchstone and follow the prompts to complete the Touchstone authentication process.
3. Read through the page and and download the appropriate installer for your platform to your hard drive.
4. Make a note of the license key and organization name, which are also found on that page.
5. Run the FileMaker Pro installer.
6. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
   Note: On Windows, follow the prompts to install the Bonjour protocol.
   Note: Do not register with FileMaker; the software is already registered through MIT's volume site licensing.
7. Apply any updates by launching FileMaker Pro and choosing to Help > Downloads and Updates.