Install the Thin Client software

Install the Thin Client software on a client station in order to let users view your project.

Note: We recommend that you use Mobile Access instead of our traditional Thin Client software whenever possible. Thin Client depends on legacy, Windows-only technologies, while Mobile Access allows you to use any HTML5-compatible browser running on any platform as a project viewer. Mobile Access does not yet support all of the features that Thin Client does, but we are continuing to improve Mobile Access with every new release.

If you have already installed either the full AVEVA Edge software or one of the runtime editions on the computer or device that you want to use as a client station, you may skip this procedure because you do not need to install the Thin Client software on the same computer or device. The full software and the runtime editions (except IoT View) include the same components as the Thin Client software, except that they are preconfigured to view the project that is running locally.

Before you begin this procedure, install the full AVEVA Edge software on at least one Windows computer — typically, on your project development workstation — because doing so also unpacks the Thin Client software installer.

To run the Thin Client software installer, you must have a computer or device with a network connection and one of the following operating systems:

• Windows:

  • Windows 11

• Windows Server:

  • Windows Server 2022

  • Windows Server 2025

• Windows Embedded:

  • Windows 11 IoT Enterprise

You must also have Administrator privileges on the computer or device in order to install any software.

If you plan to install the Thin Client software on a Windows Embedded device, the device's system image should include support for VBScript. In most cases, the system image is set by the device manufacturer and cannot be modified by the end user, so please consult the manufacturer's documentation before you select the device.

When you run the Thin Client software installer, you actually install a group of software components that can be used in two different but related forms: Secure Viewer and Web Thin Client. Secure Viewer is a standalone program that is best used when a client station "on the plant floor" (that is, in a production environment) needs to be secured so that the station operator cannot run other programs or browse the network. In contrast, Web Thin Client is an add-on for Internet Explorer 11, and it is best used when flexibility — especially the flexibility to view different projects running on different servers — is more important than security.

The Thin Client software is based on ISSymbol, which is an ActiveX control that we developed to open project screens and exchange data (for example, tag values) with the project runtime. It acts as a control layer between the client and the server, similar to the Java Virtual Machine for Java-based applications, and it provides a high level of security because it does not allow the project to access the operating system on the client station.

The only significant difference between the two forms of the Thin Client software is in how they each implement the ISSymbol control layer — standalone and in-browser, respectively. Otherwise, they behave the same during project run time and support the same project features, so you can choose which one to use.

To install the Thin Client software:

1. Locate the Thin Client software installer in the program folder. Its default location on your computer is: C:\Program Files (x86)\AVEVA\AVEVA Edge 2026\Redist\WebAddOn\ThinClient\ThinClientSetup.exe

2. Copy the Thin Client software installer to the computer or device on which you want to install the software.

   Assuming the computer or device has a network connection — which it should, if you plan to use it as a project viewer — you can simply copy the installer across the network. Otherwise, copy the installer to removable media (for example, a USB flash drive) and then carry it to the computer or device.

3. On that computer or device, run the Thin Client software installer (ThinClientSetup.exe).

   The first page of the installation wizard is displayed.

4. Click Next.

   The next page of the wizard is displayed.

5. On the Customer Information page, type your name and your company name, and then click Next.

   The next page of the wizard is displayed.

6. On the Choose Destination Location page, select the folder where the software should be installed, and then click Next.

   By default, the software will be installed at: C:\Program Files (x86)AVEVA\AVEVA\AVEVA Edge Thin Client 2026\<ID string>\

   The next page of the wizard is displayed.

7. On the Select Features page, select the specific features and components that you want to install, and then click Next.

   Feature	Description
   Program Files	The main program files for the thin clients. This feature cannot be deselected.
   Secure Viewer	Creates shortcuts in the Start menu and on the desktop. If you deselect this feature, the program files will still be installed but the shortcuts will not be created. You will need to locate the Secure Viewer program (Viewer.exe) and then manually run it.
   PDF Printing	Additional software that allows the project to save runtime reports as PDF files.
   Security System Device Driver	An additional keyboard driver that enforces project security during run time by controlling user input.

   The next page of the wizard is displayed.

8. On the Ready to Install the Program page, select Install.

   The software is installed, and then when the installation is finished, the last page of the wizard is displayed.

9. Select Finish to close the installation wizard.

Once the Thin Client software is installed, you may choose which type of thin client to use:

• If you choose to use the Secure Viewer as a standalone program, configuration is required before you can run it. For more information, see Configure and run Secure Viewer.

• If you choose to use the Web Thin Client in the browser, there are several configuration steps. For more information, see Build a simple web thin client project.

The Thin Client software itself does not need to be licensed on any computer or device. The license for the project runtime determines the number of thin clients that are allowed to connect to it at the same time. For more information, see License Settings.