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Windows Installation Instructions

Installation: Windows 11, 10

Standalone Installation

  1. Insert DVD into your computer or download the installation file.
  2. Run the Setup.exe file.
  3. The installation wizard will guide you through the installation. The installation wizard will ask for the installation folder of the Basic Skills program. By default this is C:\Program Files(x86)\Essential Skills v5
  4. After the installation is finished, the license registration tool will run. Enter the your school name and license code(s) found in your DVD packaging/email.
  5. Run the Marks Manager application and create your classes and student accounts.

Basic Server Setup

To install Essential Skills software so that it runs from a server, with student data shared among all client workstations:

  1. Insert DVD into your server or download the installation file.
  2. Run the Setup.exe file on your server.
  3. The installation wizard will guide you through the installation. The installation wizard will ask for the installation folder of the Basic Skills program. By default this is C:\Program Files(x86)\Essential Skills v5
  4. After the installation is finished, the license registration tool will run. Enter the your school name and license code(s) found in your DVD packaging/email.
  5. Ensure the installation folder is a mapped or mounted volume on your student’s workstations
  6. Copy a shortcut to your student’s desktop from the server.

In this configuration, all the program media files are served from the single server. On some network, this may be too slow when many students are using the software at once. In that case, scroll down and use the client / server setup instructions.

Note: The software will not function properly unless it has unrestricted permissions to its program and data folders. See the permissions guide below for more information.

Client / Server Setup

In this configuration, the software is installed on each individual workstation but the student data is kept on a central server. This ensures the programs load quickly, since a copy is kept on each client computer, but also that the students can use the programs from any computer – and that students’ marks are collected in a single place for reporting.

To install Essential Skills software so that it runs directly from the client, with student data stored on the server:

  1. Insert DVD into your computer or download the installation file.
  2. Run the Setup.exe file.
  3. The installation wizard will guide you through the installation. The installation wizard will ask for the installation folder of the Basic Skills program. By default this is C:\Program Files(x86)\Essential Skills v5
  4. Configure the software to keep student data in a single central location. Create a shared folder on your server for student data. This must be within mapped or mounted volume on each student’s workstation.
  5. See below for directions on creating a mounted volume.
  6. Enter the license code found in your CD/DVD packaging.
  7. Using the Admin Tools program, set the software to use the shared folder in its mounted volume as the shared database location. Note:

The software will not function properly unless it has unrestricted permissions to its program and data folders. See the permissions guide below for more information.

Mapping a Network Drive

  1. Right click on ‘My Computer’ and select ‘Map Network Drive’.
  2. Browse to your shared folder on the server and click ‘OK’.

Setting Permissions

Essential Skills software will not function properly unless it has unrestricted permissions to its program and data folders.

To set permissions on a Windows PC, follow the instructions below. (You must be logged in as an administrator to give these rights.)

  1. Right click any associated program folder and select properties (The default installation folder is C:\program files(x86)\Essential Skills v5).
  2. Click on the security tab found at the top of the properties window.
  3. Press the Edit button.
  4. Select your student user group or the group named Users from the group and user name list.
  5. Make sure a check mark exists in the Allow Full Control section of the system permissions window.
  6. Press the Apply button to save your changes.