Here is a step-by-step guide on how I’ve set up Kofax Capture 10.2 on my development environment.

Download the installation media and mount the ISO. Copy the contents into a separate folder so we can delete the language packs. Deleting the language packs from the install will save you about 20 minutes. To do this, delete all of the files in the /Kofax Capture/Updates folder within the installation files:

Screen capture showing how to delete the language packs.

Now go back to the root folder of the installation directory and run AutoRun.exe as the Administrator:

Screen capture showing how to run AutoRun.exe as the Administrator.

On the splash screen, select Install Kofax Capture:

Screen capture of the splash screen. Red arrow indicates where to select "Install Kofax Capture."

Begin the installation and accept the EULA. When prompted to select the Installation Type, select “Server”:

Screen capture of the Select Installation Type menu. Red arrow indicates where to select "Server."

Select “Server” even if this is going to be the only machine that you’ll have in your environment (e.g., maybe it’s just for development). The Server and Standalone installations are very similar. By going with the Server install, you have the option to run on a single machine or to have multiple machines. You also install a shared server files folder (CaptureSV), which will make your development/testing more consistent with what you’re running in production.

When prompted to choose the Server Software Folder, I always prefer to select a local volume other than the C: drive:

Screen capture of the Server Software Folder menu. Red box indicates where to select a destination folder.

Aside from the software binaries, SQL Server Express will be installed in this directory if you’re using the “Standard” database. It’s always a good idea to give yourself a bunch of storage to work with. I tend to go with no less than 60 GB. The software doesn’t take more than 2-3 GB, but with images and everything else that goes along with development, that seems to be a good round number.

Create a folder for your shared server files (e.g., CaptureSV):

Screen capture of how to create a folder for your shared server files (e.g., CaptureSV).

Select this folder when prompted to install the “Server Files Folder”:

Screen capture of the Server Files Folder. Red box indicates select this folder when prompted to install the "Server Files Folder."

If this folder is not already shared, the installation will want to share it for you:

Screen capture of a notification that reads: "In order to use Kofax Capture from other computers, this folder must be remotely accessible. Do you want to share this folder?" The "yes" button is selected.

Select Yes to share it. Note that all users will need to have read and write access to this share at runtime. Not too much of a worry for your development environment, but good to know.

You will then be prompted to select your database configuration:

Screen capture of the Database Configuration menu. Red arrow indicates the selection of the "Standard" database configuration.

Selecting “Standard” will result in installing Microsoft SQL Server Express (for the exact version, check the Kofax Cross-Product Compatibility Matrix). The SA password is not distributed outside of Kofax and you will not be able to query the database tables directly. For the most part this is OK. Selecting “SQL Server” will allow you to install directly to Microsoft SQL Server, and forego the install of SQL Server Express.

The only functional difference between Standard and “non-Standard” installs is that you do not have an option to store batches in the database when using the Standard install. Runtime batch data will be stored in password-protected Microsoft Access (!!) files. There is one feature (that I know of) that requires this “store batches in the database” feature — filtering by batch fields in Batch Open dialogs (for KC and KTM).

So–you should be OK running the Standard database unless:

  • You want to be able to run queries from the underlying Kofax Capture database tables directly, or
  • You want to store batches in the database because you have an aversion to Microsoft Access, or
  • You want to be able to filter by batch field in Batch Open dialogs within KC and KTM attended modules

Do note that installing on a database other than Standard requires a Kofax Capture Enterprise license.

Enter the Site Name and Site ID:

Screen capture of the Enter Site Information menu. Highlighted text for Site name form field. Additional form field for Site ID. Three buttons for back, next and cancel.

These values are arbitrary. Do note that when you do a Kofax Capture Server or Standalone install, a Site GUID is created under the covers. This is the true data element used to determine things like routing batches between sites when using Kofax Capture Network Server (KCNS).

Enter the Station ID for your machine. Also arbitrary.

Select whether or not to do Automatic Reboot and Login:

Screen capture of the Automatic Reboot and Login menu. Two radial buttons with the first options selected for Manually reboot and log in.

Over the years, the Kofax Capture install has gotten better about reducing the number of reboots. I think it might actually refrain from rebooting unless it needs to update Windows Installer.

The installation will run (and if you removed the language packs, it will take about 20 minutes less than normal), and you will be prompted with activating your license:

Screen capture of the Activate menu. Radial button next to Software is selected.

Enter your license information here. Do note that you can actually complete the install without activating a license. This might be useful if you want to share a license server. More on that on a different post.

Yay! Installation is done!

Screen capture of the Installation Completed menu.

But you’re not done! Always check the Kofax Support Website to see if there are any Service Packs, Fix Packs, or Fixes available. On the Kofax website, select Services –> Products:

Screen capture of the Kofax website. Services has been selected from the menu at the top of the page. A pop up menu show a "Products" option highlighted by a red arrow.

Find the product and select the Downloads section:

Screen capture of the Downloads page on the Kofax website.

From here, you will be able to find any Service Packs, Fix Packs, or Fixes that you need to install.

After you’re done installing any Service Packs, Fix Packs, or Fixes, you can launch Batch Manager and select Help –> About (Alt + F1) to verify the version:

Screen capture of the Kofax Capture menu. Red box indicates the version number.