[Tex/LaTex] Local Package MikTeX

miktex

I had to uninstall my Laptops Windows, then re-installed the MikTex 2.9 and editors: TexStudio and TexMaker. However, in the first run, a notification window is popping my asking me to choose the local repository, since I could not find any such repository, in the MikTeX console, I chose http://ctan.mirror.solo-server.net, and int the window popping up in the TexTudio, I selected remote package repository. and this time, running the codes, each and every package was being installed which made me think what if I do not have access to Internet. But, I am 100% sure that before reinstalling the new windows, I was not downloading the packages, maybe I was using packages fro so-called "local" repository. I wonder if I can set up that local repository again so that I do not need to install each and every package? Or, maybe it would be better to ask how to access the local package repository since I could not find this in appData.

Best Answer

As @Bernard has pointed out (but since relocated) the MiKTeX repository of approx 3620 package files is ftp://tug.org/tex-archive/systems/windows/miktex/tm/packages/ where the readme says

This directory contains the "Total MiKTeX" package set. To install MiKTeX, download and run the MiKTeX Net Installer. For more information, visit the MiKTeX Project Page at www.miktex.org.

One point of the package manager is to avoid downloading ALL those files, thus to that end during install it can be pre-loaded with an older local (or LAN) set which can then be updated ad hoc.

If you have a folder with a set of files such as miktex-bibtex-bin-2.9.tar.lzma or similar you can point to that location.

The quantity of .tar.lzma files you find may be few in which case its best to get a part working basic set of upacked .exe and .sty etc. files first (I use a recent portable install).

see also related why NOT to look for .zip and creating a repository

If you cant find a large group of similar files, then it is unlikely you had a repository (just a very full install) If you wish to build one from scratch for multiple users / locations / offline see the How to guide beware the full download is 2.9 GB equivalent to a full TeX Live installation.