Installing LaTeX editor in Windows

TeXstudio LaTeX GUI in Windows can be used via native Windows or Windows Subsystem for Linux. TeXstudio needs a LaTeX system – either TexLive or MiKTeX is fine. The default MiKTeX install options are generally fine. MiKTeX by default installs a minimal LaTeX system where needed resources are downloaded as used.

winget install -e --id MiKTeX.MiKTeX

By default TeXLive installs all LaTeX packages, which is excessive at 5-10 Gbytes. Instead, use the scheme “basic” under “Advanced” install options, which takes about 400 Mbytes. Install other packages later.

winget install -e --id TeXstudio.TeXstudio

To use the command line tools like “pdflatex” in addition to any GUIs like TeXstudio etc. add the TeXLive binary path to Windows path. Perhaps make a PowerShell script ~/latex.ps1 containing as appropriate for the installed TeXLive:

$Env:path += ";$Env:SystemDrive\texlive\<texlive_version\bin\windows\"

Packages can be added to TeXLive by the Start Menu → TeX Live Manager–under Package List select Status: All. However we often prefer to use tlmgr convenient command line like:

• find package by filename: tlmgr search --global --file fullpage.sty
• find fonts/packages by name: tlmgr info ieee

If all references are “??” (re)compile the .bib file by pressing F8 in TeXstudio. Watch for error messages.

MiKTeX popup occurs when compiling a new document with packages missing. Uncheck “ask me each time” if comfortable with that and want to stop seeing the popups. Fix “package not found” by pressing ⊞ then type Package Manager and click on the MiKTeX icon to open the package manager. Click Repository / Synchronize, then install the missing package.