[Tex/LaTex] How to install PGF/TikZ 3.0 in MikTeX

miktextikz-pgfupdating

Currently, the MiKTeX package manager does not know of the latest stable version of PGF/TikZ. I have made an attempt at installing it manually, following Stephan Kottwitz’ answer to question How can I manually install a package on MiKTeX (Windows) as a guide, but I get stuck at the following steps:

You could extract it to the right place. Also here, as after any installation

After downloading the package from SourceForge, I found that it contains C code in the .\source\generic\pgf\c directory, which does not seem to belong in my ~\AppData\Roaming\MiKTeX\2.9\source directory.

How should I install this into the latest MiKTeX distro (2.9.5105 x86_64)?

PS: If you're wondering why I would need that, it's because someone suggested it to me.

Best Answer

Download the tds.zip https://sourceforge.net/projects/pgf/files/latest/download?source=files

Unpack the zip file somewhere outside your miktex system. Then add the root folder as a new root in miktex settings. When pgf is available throught the package manager you can simple remove the root in miktex settings again.

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[Tex/LaTex] Changing the location of auto-installed packages in MiKTeX

As Ulrike explained in the comments above, it seems that MikTeX allows the UserInstall directory to be configured only during installation. So, it's easiest to just re-install it, calling the installer from the commandline with suitable options. The full set of commandline options for the installer is documented here.

I first removed the existing MikTeX by running the uninstaller from the Start menu. I then opened a command prompt (this is on Windows), switched to the directory containing the downloaded installer, and ran the following:

C:\...> basic-miktex-***.exe --shared --user-install="C:\Path\to\my\root"

I used --shared since it's being installed for all users, but I was asked again during the set-up dialog anyway. There are also options --user-config and --user-data (I don't mind leaving those in the default location).

I am just setting up a new computer, so this was a no-brainer. I follow best practices and keep all style files that are not managed by MikTeX in a separate texmf hierarchy, so there was no need to salvage anything before uninstalling. But if you have been dropping your non-CTAN styles into the MikTeX texmf tree (definitely not a good idea), or have a huge texmf tree and a slow internet connection, or use your computer off-line a lot and don't want to be surprised by missing packages, you can follow this procedure, which lets you use your old texmf tree as the data source for the new installation (thanks @Speravir for the pointer).

[Tex/LaTex] Updating MiKTeX package – newest not found, directory incorrect

Probably, glossaries was installed ‘on the fly’ when you compile a file which required glossaries and the latter wasn't installed. In such a case, it is installed in the user's personal directory, and the user's directory takes precedence over the administrator directory.

What you should do is launching MiKTeX Updater and MiKTeX Package Manager both in administrator mode and in user mode. A priori, if you install the latest version as administrator, you can delete the user version (with MPM in user mode!).

Best Answer

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[Tex/LaTex] Changing the location of auto-installed packages in MiKTeX

[Tex/LaTex] Updating MiKTeX package – newest not found, directory incorrect

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