How to Install Stata/SE for Windows

Owned by Milan Stanic
Last updated: May 12, 2022
4 min read

After filling out the software request form and your request has been processed you will receive an email message with a download link and license code.

Click on the link for the version you want to install. When the download completes click on the .exe file.

  1. Click on Next to begin the setup.

  2. Read and accept the license agreement. Click Next.

  3. Enter your name in the User Name field and enter Seton Hall University in the Organization field. Leave the option to allow anyone who uses your computer to access Stata selected.

  4. Then click on Next.
    Select the type Stata/SE and click on Next.


    If you try to install a version of Stata different from Stata/SE you will receive an error later on, and Stata will not work on your computer. Then you will have to uninstall and reinstall Stata with the correct settings to resolve the issue.

  5. Select a Destination Folder. Stata will choose one automatically. If it does not exist, Stata will create it. If you wish to have Stata installed somewhere else, click on Browse to navigate to that location. We recommend that you choose the default directory.

  6. Click on Next to continue.
    Choose the default location for saving Stata files. We recommend that you use each user's Documents folder.

  7. Then click on Next.
    Click Install.

  8. You will see the progress bar as Stata completes the installation. This may take a few minutes.

  9. When Stata has finished installing, click on Finish to exit the installer.

Launch Stata

  1. You may see another User Account Control dialog box asking whether Stata can make changes to your computer. This is normal for the first time you launch Stata.
    Click on Yes to continue.

  2. You must enter something for all the fields in the Initialize License dialog before you can continue. The code and authorization are not case sensitive. If you make a mistake when typing the codes, you will be prompted to try again. Enter your name (at least five characters) and Seton Hall University in the organization field. Enter the Serial Number, Code, and Authorization from the License and Activation Key you received in the Service Desk Request ticket email. Copy and pasting the information is recommended.

  3. Click on Next to submit your information.

  4. Next click on Finish to complete the installation and register your copy of Stata.

  5. Stata will launch and ask whether you would like to check for updates. We recommend that you select Check for updates now to ensure that you have the latest version and click on OK.


    StataCorp releases updates to Stata often. These updates may include new features and bug fixes that can be automatically downloaded and installed by Stata from the Internet. There may be updates to Stata that are more recent than the version of Stata on your installation media.

    By default, automatic update checking is enabled. This ensures that your Stata is up to date, it is convenient, and it causes no problems even if you are not connected to the Internet. Stata will never install an update without first asking you if it is ok to do so. It will merely notify you that one is available, and let you choose whether to install it. If you disable automatic update checking, it is a good idea to periodically check for updates to Stata.