Let’s look at the process of installing and operating Arduino in Windows 10 for different boards (Uno, Nano, Mega) step by step, we will analyze the main problems.
Three ways to install the Arduino IDE
On Windows, there are 3 ways to install the IDE on your computer:
- Download and run the installer (all Windows versions): recommended way… The installer also installs drivers, but only if you have administrator rights to a Windows account.
- Download .zip archive (also for all Windows versions): for cases when you do not have administrator rights. You will have to install the drivers manually.
- Download and install the IDE as an app from the Windows Store (only for Windows 10): This is quick and easy, but not recommended. This option will probably install an older version, which probably has some problems.
Installation using the installer
We choose the recommended Windows 10 option and use the automatic installer to keep things as easy as possible.
First, you can go to the download page on our website or go to the official Arduino download page and select “Windows Installer”.
On the next page, select “Just download” (JUST DOWNLOAD) or “Promote & Download” (CONTRIBUTE & DOWNLOAD). The installer will now download.
Run the just downloaded .exe-file. Select “Yes” (Yes) so that the installer can make changes to your computer. Then accept the license agreement.
Select the components to install (it is recommended to leave all selected).
Select a folder for installation (it is recommended to leave the default) and click “Install” (install).
Wait for the installer to complete the installation.
Next, click Install (Install) to install the Adafruit drivers. After that, click the “Install” button (Install) to install the USB driver. And then press the “Install” button again (Install) to install the second USB driver.
Now you can run Arduino IDE on Windows 10.
Once launched, you should be able to see the IDE in action:
Installing drivers in Windows manually
These instructions apply to Windows 7, Vista and Windows 10. They are also valid for Windows XP with slight differences in the dialog boxes.
The instructions will only mention the fee Arduino Leonardobut the same procedure is valid for all Arduino boards.
Plug in the board and wait while Windows starts the driver installation process.
If the installer does not start automatically, go to Windows Device Manager:
Start -> Control Panel -> Hardware
Or for English in Win 10, the path will be like this:
Start -> Control Panel -> Hardware
Find Arduino Leonardo in the list. Right-click and select “Update driver”.
On the next screen, select “Browse my computer for driver software” and click “Next”.
Click the Browse … button (Browse …). Another dialog will appear: navigate to the folder with the Arduino software you just downloaded. Select the folder with drivers (drivers) and press OKthen press Next…
You will receive a notification that the board has not passed Windows Logo testing. Click on the Continue Anyway button (Continue Anyway).
After a few seconds, a window will appear with a message that the wizard has completed the installation of the software for the Arduino Leonardo in Windows 10. Click the “Close” button (Close).
Installing the Arduino Mega driver on Windows 10
To install Mega drivers, the steps will be very similar to those for any other board. You can preinstall the Windows version of LANforge Server. The process will look like this:
1. Follow the link above to the Arduino official website to download the latest driver.
2. Download the Arduino IDE zip file to your desktop. Right-click → Extract All … to extract the contents to a folder on your desktop. This process requires that you manage as an administrator.
3. Go to the device manager (Device Manager).
- Click on Ctrl + F For search
- We are looking for a device (Device)
- Select Device Manager
- In the Device Manager window, right-click your computer and select Scan for hardware changes.
6. If you find a previously installed driver, uninstall it. Especially if it’s labeled Windows Arduino Mega.
- Right Click -> Delete (Uninstall)
- Select “Delete the driver software for this device” and click OK.
- Right-click your computer and select Scan for Hardware Changes.
- You may need to disconnect and reconnect the attenuator.
- If the context menu prevents you from changing drivers, restart your system.
7. Install the Arduino IDE driver
- In the Device Manager, right-click on “Unknown Device” and select “Update Driver Software …”
8. Select “Browse my computer for driver software”:
- Go to “Desktop arduino-1.8.9 drivers” and click OK. Your Arduino IDE version may differ.
- Click “Next”
You will see confirmation of the driver software update. Click Close (Close).
You don’t need to reboot your system to run the attenuator.
Major problems in Windows 10
- Arduino IDE (Windows 10) crashes or stops working when starting a program
There is a situation when the Arduino IDE (version 1.8.12) crashes on startup. At startup arduino_debug.exe we get this error message.
C:Program Files (x86)Arduino>arduino_debug.exe
Set log4j store directory C:UsersvolkeAppDataLocalArduino15
Loading configuration...
Initializing packages...
java.lang.NullPointerException
at cc.arduino.contributions.packages.ContributionsIndexer.parseIndex(ContributionsIndexer.java:134)
at processing.app.BaseNoGui.initPackages(BaseNoGui.java:483)
at processing.app.Base.<init>(Base.java:273)
at processing.app.Base.main(Base.java:150)
C:Program Files (x86)Arduino>Deleting configuration files package_index.json and package_esp32_index.json gives nothing.
From the solutions, you can try the following.
After installing the beta (arduino beta1.9-BUILD-119) many do not have any problems.
Build Nightly also helps a lot (link).
Thus, we come to the conclusion that in case of a program crash in Windows 10, using the latest beta version of the Arduino IDE helps. Even for ESP8266 boards, it works fine.
Another cause of the problem may be blocking by antivirus. It would be good to check it too.
