You install HEC-RAS using the program HEC-RAS_Version_Setup.exe. The Setup program installs the software, user's manuals, sample applications, and the Help system.
This chapter discusses the hardware and system requirements needed to use HEC-RAS, how to install the software, and how to uninstall the software.

Important

You cannot simply copy files from the HEC and run HEC-RAS. You must use the Setup program, which decompresses and installs the files to the appropriate directories, as well as registers certain files (dll's, etc…) with the operating system.
Hardware and Software Requirements
Before you install the HEC-RAS software, make sure that your computer has at least the minimum required hardware and software. In order to get the maximum performance from the HEC-RAS software, recommended hardware and software is shown in parentheses. This version of HEC-RAS will run on a microcomputer that has the following:

  • Intel Based PC or compatible machine with Pentium processor or higher (an Intel I5 or higher is recommended. If you are going to perform 2D modeling, then a machine with multiple cores is recommended).
  • A hard disk with at least 1 Gigabyte of free space (10 Gigabytes or more is recommended).
  • A minimum of 8 Gigabyte of RAM if using Windows 7, Windows 8, or windows 10 (16 Gigabytes or more is recommended).
  • A mouse, touch pad, or touch screen.
  • Color Video Display (Recommend running in Super VGA (1024x768) or higher, and as large a monitor(s) as possible).
  • HEC-RAS Version 5.0.4 and newer will only run on 64-bit Windows operating systems, including 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8.0, 8.1, and 10. Also, make sure your operating system is up to date with all of the Microsoft patches for that version of the operating system before trying to install HEC-RAS.

Installation Procedure

Installation of the HEC-RAS software is accomplished through the use of the Setup program.

To install the software onto your hard disk, do the following:

  1. Download the setup program from our web page: www.hec.usace.army.mil.
  2. Place the setup program in a temporary directory and execute it from there.
  3. Follow the setup instructions on the screen.

The setup program automatically creates a program group called HEC. This program group will be listed under the Programs menu, which is under the Start menu. The HEC-RAS program icon will be contained within the HEC program group. The user can create a shortcut icon during the install process or by dragging a copy of the HEC-RAS icon onto the desktop from the Windows Start menu. The HEC RAS executable can be found in the c:\Program Files\HEC\HEC-RAS directory with the name "RAS.EXE".

Uninstall Procedure

The HEC-RAS Setup program automatically registers the software with the Windows operating system. To uninstall the software, do the following:

  • From the Start Menu navigate to where you can run the Control Panel.
  • From within the Control Panel folder, select Programs.
  • From the section labeled as Uninstall a Program select the HEC-RAS program from the list of installed software, and then press the Uninstall button.
  • Follow the uninstall directions on the screen and the software will be removed from your hard disk. It is up to the user to remove the HEC-RAS icon from the desktop.