Install DevExpress VCL Components and Demos
- 4 minutes to read
Visit www.devexpress.com for information on features and pricing options available for different DevExpress VCL control packages: VCL Components for Delphi and C++Builder.
What’s New
DevExpress major updates (released twice per year) may include new controls, features, or enhancements across supported platforms. Refer to our What’s New page for more information on our most recent major update: What’s New in VCL.
Tip
Visit our website to explore the latest features across the DevExpress product line: What’s New in the Latest Version.
Prerequisites
You can find the up-to-date list of supported Embarcadero RAD Studio® IDE versions on the following page:
Prerequisites: Supported IDEs, Frameworks, and SDKs
Unsupported IDEs
DevExpress VCL components do not support the following Embarcadero Delphi and C++Builder IDE editions because they do not include a command-line compiler required to build component packages during the installation process:
- Community Edition IDEs
- Trial IDE versions
Try DevExpress VCL Controls in Your Project
To try DevExpress controls and libraries in your products, download our fully-functional 30-day trial version.
Note
All trial installers are IDE-version specific and are binary-compatible with the latest IDE patch versions.
We recommend that you install the latest IDE patches before installing the corresponding trial DevExpress component version.
You can find download links for all supported Embarcadero RAD Studio® IDE versions on the trial download page:
Download & Install Registered VCL Controls
DevExpress VCL products have different installations for trial and registered versions. Once you purchase a license, you will receive an email message with instructions. Log in to the Download Manager page to download the required installer version.
Expand the VCL Subscription node on the Download Manager page to see all available download options:
Download Options
Each download option lists all supported RAD Studio IDE versions for the selected version of DevExpress VCL components:
- VCL Components, Demos & Documentation
- A standalone installer for any selected component version includes licensed VCL components for all supported IDE versions, product demos, and offline documentation files.
- VCL Components
- A lightweight installer without demo and offline documentation files. To download these optional resources, check corresponding options during the setup process.
Installer Modes
Install/Update
Installs components from scratch or upgrades the previously installed component version.
Modify/Update
Allows you to modify and update the current installation. You can install or uninstall individual DevExpress products for any supported IDE version that is installed.
Recompile
Recompiles and reinstalls all installed component packages according to the current settings. All source files remain unchanged.
The Recompile option is useful if you need to modify our source files and apply these changes globally.
Repair
Repairs installation errors:
- Deletes all previously installed packages, source files, additional resources, and standalone tools
- Unpacks source code files and resources to the current installation folder
- Builds, installs, and registers all component packages
- Reinstalls standalone tools
This option restores any missing or corrupt files, shortcuts, or registry entries. For example, this option is useful if you need to restore the original state of installed DevExpress components (for example, when you need to undo any changes in component and demo source files).
Remove
Uninstalls all installed DevExpress VCL products. Use this option if you need to reinstall our components from scratch for any reason.
What’s Installed
The DevExpress VCL Installer adds the selected components to one or more supported Embarcadero RAD Studio® versions available on the current machine, and installs DevExpress utility tools, product demos, and additional resources.
Limitations
You can install only one version of DevExpress VCL components on one machine at a time. If you need to work with several different component versions, do one of the following:
- Install different versions on separate virtual machines
- Reinstall a different build every time it is required
Install & Run Compiled Demos
Download our compiled demos to explore the comprehensive feature set of DevExpress VCL controls.
VCL Demo Center
The VCL Demo Center contains links to all compiled DevExpress product demos:
To run the VCL Demo Center, open the Windows Start menu, navigate to the DevExpress VCL Demos 25.1 category, and select VCL Demo Center 25.1:
Click any tile to run the corresponding demo.
Tip
Many product documentation topics refer to corresponding compiled demo projects. You can find full source code for all installed demos in the following folder:
%PUBLIC%\Public Documents\DevExpress VCL Demos\
Additional Information on Component Installation
- Frequently Asked Questions (Installation FAQ)
- This topic lists the most frequently asked questions about installation and version upgrades.
- How to: Install VCL Controls from Scratch
- These instructions address most issues that may occur during installation, such as linker and compiler-related errors after an upgrade.