Hey guys! Want to get MongoDB running on your Windows 10 machine? You're in the right place! This guide will walk you through the installation process step-by-step, making it super easy to get started. We'll cover everything from downloading the necessary files to configuring MongoDB so it plays nicely with your system. Let's dive in!

Downloading MongoDB

First things first, you need to grab the MongoDB installer. Head over to the official MongoDB website and navigate to the downloads section. Make sure you select the correct version for Windows 10. Typically, you'll want the latest stable release. Look for the MSI package – it's the easiest to install on Windows. Once you've found the right version, hit that download button and let the magic happen.

While you're waiting for the download to complete, it's a good idea to create a dedicated folder for MongoDB. Something like C:\mongodb will do just fine. This will keep everything organized and make it easier to manage your MongoDB installation down the road. Trust me, future you will thank you for this!

Once the download is finished, double-click the MSI file to start the installation wizard. Follow the prompts, and you'll be one step closer to having MongoDB up and running on your Windows 10 machine. Make sure you pay attention to the installation options, as we'll need to configure some things in the next steps.

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Installing MongoDB

Alright, the download is complete, and now it's time to install MongoDB! Double-click that MSI file we downloaded earlier. The installation wizard should pop up, ready to guide you through the process. Click “Next” to get started.

Read through the license agreement (you know, like we all do!), and if you agree, accept the terms and click “Next” again. Now, you'll be presented with two setup types: “Complete” and “Custom.” For most users, the “Complete” option is perfectly fine. It installs all the necessary components in the default locations. However, if you want more control over where MongoDB is installed, or if you have specific requirements, choose “Custom.”

If you choose “Custom,” you'll be able to select the installation directory. Remember that C:\mongodb folder we created earlier? You can point the installer to that directory. This is also the place where you can choose which features to install. Unless you have a specific reason to exclude something, it's best to install everything. Now, this is important: On one of the screens, you’ll be asked if you want to install MongoDB Compass. MongoDB Compass is a GUI for visualizing your data and running queries. It’s super handy, especially when you're starting out. I highly recommend installing it. If you don't want it, uncheck the box. If you do, leave it checked, and then click “Next.”

Now, click “Install” to begin the installation process. Windows might ask for administrator permissions, so go ahead and grant them. The installation will take a few minutes, so sit back and relax. Once it's done, click “Finish” to close the installation wizard. But, we’re not done yet! There are still a few more steps to get MongoDB running smoothly.

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Configuring Environment Variables

Okay, so MongoDB is installed, but your system doesn't yet know where to find it. That's where environment variables come in. We need to add the MongoDB bin directory to your system's Path variable so you can run MongoDB commands from anywhere in the command prompt.

First, locate your MongoDB installation directory. If you used the default settings, it's probably something like C:\Program Files\MongoDB\Server\<version>\bin. Copy this path to your clipboard. Next, search for “environment variables” in the Windows search bar. Click on “Edit the system environment variables.” This will open the System Properties window. Click the “Environment Variables…” button.

In the “System variables” section, find the Path variable and select it. Then, click “Edit…”. In the “Edit environment variable” window, click “New” and paste the MongoDB bin directory path you copied earlier. Click “OK” on all the windows to save the changes. This is very important! If you don’t click “OK” on all the windows, the changes won’t be saved.

To make sure the environment variables are set correctly, open a new command prompt window (or restart your existing one). Type mongo --version and press Enter. If MongoDB is correctly configured, you should see the MongoDB version number printed in the command prompt. If you get an error message, double-check that you added the correct path to the Path variable and that you restarted the command prompt.

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Running MongoDB

With MongoDB installed and the environment variables configured, it's time to fire it up! But first, we need to create a data directory where MongoDB will store its databases. By default, MongoDB looks for this directory at C:\data\db. If this directory doesn't exist, MongoDB won't start.

Open File Explorer and create the C:\data\db directory. You might need to grant yourself administrator permissions to create this folder. Once the directory is created, you're ready to start the MongoDB server.

Open a command prompt window and type mongod and press Enter. This will start the MongoDB server. You should see a bunch of log messages printed in the command prompt. If everything is working correctly, the last line should say something like “waiting for connections on port 27017.” This means that the MongoDB server is running and ready to accept connections.

Leave this command prompt window open. This window is running the MongoDB server, so closing it will shut down the server. To connect to the MongoDB server, open another command prompt window and type mongo and press Enter. This will open the MongoDB shell, which is a command-line interface for interacting with MongoDB. You should see a > prompt. Now you can start running MongoDB commands!

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Testing Your Installation

Alright, MongoDB should be up and running. Now, let's do a quick test to make sure everything is working as expected. Open the MongoDB shell (if you closed it, just type mongo in a new command prompt window). At the > prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

db.version()

This command will display the version of the MongoDB server you're connected to. If you see a version number, congratulations! MongoDB is working correctly. Let’s run some basic commands to make sure everything is smooth. Type the following commands:

use testdb
db.createCollection("mycollection")
db.mycollection.insertOne( { name: "John Doe", age: 30 } )
db.mycollection.find().pretty()

Let's break down what these commands do:

• use testdb: This command switches to a database named “testdb.” If the database doesn't exist, MongoDB will create it.
• `db.createCollection(