How Unity Installs on Windows and What MSI Means

Unity uses MSI installers on Windows, but the method depends on your version

Unity's Windows installer comes as an MSI file (Microsoft Installer), which is the standard Windows installation format. When you read Unity from the official website and run the installer on a Windows machine, you are running an MSI package. This means Windows handles the installation through its built-in installer system rather than a simpler executable file.

The MSI format matters because it integrates with Windows' software management tools. You can uninstall Unity through Control Panel or Settings just like any other Windows program, and the system keeps a record of what was installed. This also means IT administrators in a workplace can deploy Unity across multiple machines using group policy or other enterprise tools.

However, Unity also offers a Unity Hub — a separate process that downloads and manages multiple Unity versions for you. When you use Hub, you still end up with MSI installations on your machine, but Hub handles the downloading and version switching in the background. Many developers prefer Hub because it makes switching between project versions simpler than manually downloading each MSI file.

Key Takeaways

Unity's Windows installer is an MSI file, which is Windows' standard installation format that integrates with your system's software management.
You can read the MSI directly from Unity's website and run it, or use Unity Hub to manage multiple versions automatically.
MSI installation means you can uninstall Unity through Windows Control Panel or Settings like any other program.
The MSI format allows IT administrators to deploy Unity across multiple workplace computers using enterprise deployment tools.

What MSI actually does during installation

When you run an MSI file, Windows Installer service takes over the process. It unpacks the Unity files, places them in the correct directories (usually under Program Files), creates registry entries so Windows knows the program is installed, and sets up shortcuts in your Start menu. You do not have to manually move files around — the MSI handles all of that.

This is different from a straightforward .exe installer, which is just a program that runs and does whatever the developer programmed it to do. An MSI follows Windows standards, which means Windows can track what was installed, repair a broken installation if files go missing, and remove everything cleanly when you uninstall.

During the MSI installation, you will see a setup wizard that lets you choose where to install Unity and which components to include. You can select whether to install Visual Studio Community (Microsoft's code editor), documentation, and other optional parts. The installer will also check your system for prerequisites — like .NET Framework versions — and warn you if something is missing.

Downloading and running the MSI installer

Go to unity.com/read and select the version you want. The site will offer you a choice between the MSI installer and Unity Hub. If you choose the direct MSI read, you get a file named something like "UnitySetup-2022.3.0f1.msi" (the numbers change with each version).

Once downloaded, double-click the MSI file to start the installation. Windows will ask for permission to make changes to your computer — click "Yes" to proceed. The setup wizard will open and walk you through the installation steps. The process usually takes 5 to 15 minutes depending on your internet speed and which components you select.

If the read fails or the installer crashes partway through, you can run the MSI again and it will resume from where it left off. Windows Installer is designed to handle interrupted installations without leaving your system in a broken state.

Using Unity Hub instead of downloading MSI files directly

Unity Hub is a free process that sits on top of the MSI system. You install Hub once using its own MSI file, then use Hub to read and manage different Unity versions. This approach is cleaner if you work on multiple projects that need different Unity versions.

When you open Hub and select a version to install, Hub downloads the MSI in the background and runs it for you. You do not see the installer wizard — Hub handles it automatically. This means you can queue up multiple versions to install and let them run while you work on something else.

Hub also tracks which projects use which versions and can open the correct version automatically when you open a project. For a single project or a single version of Unity, downloading the MSI directly is simpler. For managing multiple versions or working in a team where different projects use different releases, Hub saves time.

System requirements before running the MSI

Before you run the Unity MSI, check that your Windows version is supported. Unity 2022 and newer require Windows 10 or Windows 11. Older versions of Unity support Windows 7 and Windows 8, but those versions are no longer updated with bug fixes.

Your machine should have at least 4 GB of RAM, though 8 GB or more is better if you plan to run Unity and other programs at the same time. The installer itself needs about 3 GB of free disk space, but a full installation with all components can take 10 GB or more. An SSD is not required but makes opening projects and compiling code noticeably faster than a traditional hard drive.

You do not need a graphics card to install or run Unity, but if you plan to develop games with realistic graphics or test your game in the editor, a dedicated GPU (from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel) will improve performance. The MSI installer does not check for a graphics card — it will install on any Windows machine — but development will be slow without one.

Uninstalling and repairing Unity through MSI

To uninstall Unity, open Windows Settings, go to Apps, find Unity in the list, and click Uninstall. Windows will run the MSI in uninstall mode, which removes the program files and registry entries. This is cleaner than manually deleting folders because it ensures nothing is left behind.

If Unity stops working or you get errors when launching it, you can repair the installation without uninstalling. In Windows Settings, click the three dots next to Unity and select "Repair". The MSI will check all the installed files, replace any that are corrupted or missing, and fix registry entries. This often solves problems faster than uninstalling and reinstalling from scratch.

If you installed Unity through Hub, uninstalling works the same way — go to Settings and remove Unity. Hub itself remains installed so you can read other versions. If you want to remove Hub, uninstall it the same way you would uninstall any other program.

Differences between MSI and other installation methods

On Mac, Unity uses a .dmg file (disk image) instead of MSI. On Linux, you read a .tar.gz archive and extract it manually. These formats are standard for those operating systems the way MSI is standard for Windows. The end result is the same — Unity is installed and ready to use — but the installation process looks different.

Some developers use package managers like Chocolatey or Scoop on Windows, which can read and run the MSI automatically from the command line. This is useful if you are setting up multiple development machines or automating your setup process. The MSI still runs in the background; the package manager just handles finding and launching it.

If you are working in a large organization, IT may provide Unity through an internal software portal or deployment system. Behind the scenes, they are still using the MSI — they have just automated the process so you do not have to read it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install multiple versions of Unity at the same time?

Yes. Each MSI installation can go into a separate folder, so you can have Unity 2021, 2022, and 2023 all installed simultaneously. Unity Hub makes this easier by managing the folders automatically, but you can also read multiple MSI files and run them one after another, choosing different installation paths for each.

What happens if I interrupt the MSI installation?

Windows Installer is designed to handle interruptions. If you close the installer or lose power during installation, you can run the MSI again and it will resume from where it stopped. You do not need to uninstall and start over — just run the same MSI file again.

Do I need administrator rights to install Unity?

Yes. The MSI installer requires administrator privileges because it needs to write files to Program Files and modify the Windows registry. If you do not have admin rights on your machine, ask your IT department or the computer owner to run the installer for you.

Can I move Unity to a different folder after installation?

No. The MSI installs Unity to a specific location and registers that path in Windows. If you move the folder manually, Windows will not know where it is and the program will not launch. If you need to change the installation location, uninstall and run the MSI again, choosing a different path during setup.

Is the MSI installer the same for all Unity versions?

The MSI format is the same, but each version of Unity has its own MSI file with different contents. You cannot use a 2021 MSI to install 2023 — you need the correct MSI for the version you want. Unity Hub handles this by downloading the right MSI for each version automatically.

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