\\newpage

# Microsoft Windows

<!-- *****************
Microsoft Windows
***************** -->

## OS Compiler settings

Besides the general settings from [OS Compiler settings](architecture_sdk.html.md#compile-ecdemo) the following settings are necessary to build the example application for Windows.

Extra include paths
: ```default
  <InstallPath>\SDK\INC\Windows
  <InstallPath>\Examples\Common\Windows
  ```

Extra source paths
: ```default
  <InstallPath>\Examples\Common\Windows
  <InstallPath>\Sources\OsLayer\Windows
  ```

Extra library paths to the main EtherCAT® components
: ```default
  <InstallPath>\SDK\LIB\Windows
  ```

## RtaccDevice for Real-time Ethernet Driver

As alternative to the NDIS based or Pcap based Ethernet Driver, an optional Real-time Ethernet Driver on Windows can be installed. The Real-time Ethernet Driver replaces the original Windows driver and also requires an extra license.

To **use the Real-time Ethernet Driver under Windows**, it is necessary to install the RtaccDevice driver included in the Real-time Ethernet Driver delivery:

1. Start the “Device Manager”
   : ![Windows Device Manager showing the network adapter where the RtaccDevice Real-time Ethernet Driver will be installed](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step1.png)
2. Assign RtaccDevice to the network adapter
   : ![Windows Device Manager context menu on the network adapter showing the Update driver option](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step2.png)

   ![Windows Update Drivers dialog for assigning RtaccDevice to the network adapter](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step3.png)![Windows Update Drivers dialog showing the Browse my computer for drivers option](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step4.png)

   Click on “Browse my computer for drivers”
   ![Windows driver search showing the Let me pick from a list of available drivers option](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step5.png)

   Click on “Let me pick…”
   ![Windows driver list showing the Have Disk option for installing RtaccDevice from a specific directory](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step6.png)

   Click on “Have Disk…”
3. Enter the directory of RtaccDevice Driver

   The default folder if not changed is `<InstallPath>\Bin\Windows\x64`
   ![Windows Have Disk dialog for entering the RtaccDevice driver directory path such as the InstallPath Bin Windows x64 folder](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step7.png)

   Enter the correct directory at the input box and press OK to proceed.
4. Choose the RtaccDevice Driver and click “Next” and confirm the installation
   : ![Windows driver selection list showing RtaccDevice ready to be chosen for the network adapter](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step8.png)![Windows driver installation confirmation dialog for the RtaccDevice Real-time Ethernet Driver](../../OsLayer/Media/ecatdrv-net-step9.png)

Optionally modify the search location of the Real-time Ethernet Driver

Search locations for Real-time Ethernet Driver can be adjusted using the PATH environment variable.

\\newpage

The RtaccDevice must be assigned to the network adapter for Real-time Ethernet Driver usage on Windows. In this case it is exclusively bound for EtherCAT® usage.
The assignment can be reverted using the following steps:

1. Open the Windows device manager (Computer Management), then go to System devices. The RtaccDevice should be listed there:

> ![Windows Computer Management showing the System devices node where RtaccDevice is listed](../../Common/Media/Rtacc_Computer_Management_01.jpg)![Windows Computer Management zoomed view of the RtaccDevice Ethernet Controller in System devices](../../Common/Media/Rtacc_Computer_Management_02.jpg)
1. Right click on the RtaccDevice Ethernet Controller, then click on Properties:

> ![Windows Device Properties dialog for the RtaccDevice Ethernet Controller accessed via right-click Properties](../../Common/Media/Rtacc_Ethernet_Controller_Properties_Driver.jpg)
1. Switch to the tab “Driver”, then click the button “Update driver”:

> ![Windows Device Properties Driver tab showing the Update driver button for reverting the RtaccDevice assignment](../../Common/Media/Rtacc_Update_Driver.jpg)
1. Click on “Browse my computer for drivers”:

> ![Windows Update Drivers dialog showing the Browse my computer for drivers option to revert RtaccDevice](../../Common/Media/Rtacc_Search_for_Driver.jpg)
1. Click on “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”:

> ![Windows driver selection dialog showing the original network adapter driver to restore after removing RtaccDevice](../../Common/Media/Rtacc_Select_Device.jpg)

> Select the network adapter and click “Next”.

The assignment is now reverted.