Setting Up the DevExpress Universal Trial Setting up the DevExpress Universal 30-day free trial
allows you to explore over 600 UI controls and libraries for .NET and JavaScript. This guide walks through the installation process and common troubleshooting steps. DevExpress 1. Preparation and Download
Before starting, ensure your environment meets the necessary prerequisites Microsoft Visual Studio 2022 v17.0+
with appropriate workloads (ASP.NET, Web development, or .NET desktop development). : .NET 8+ SDK. : You may need to temporarily disable antivirus software
or "unblock" the installer file if Windows blocks downloads from the internet. DevExpress Download the Unified Component Installer DevExpress Download Center
. Registration is not strictly required to start the download. DevExpress 2. Running the Installation Wizard Launch as Administrator : Right-click the file and select Run as Administrator Select Installation Mode Trial Installation
: If prompted, enter your DevExpress.com credentials. If you are a new user, follow the link to create an account
, which helps the installer determine which products to include. Product Selection
: Choose the products you wish to evaluate. For the full Universal experience, you can install all products or select specific sets like WPF, Blazor, or WinForms. Path and License
: Accept the license agreement and choose your destination folder to complete the process. DevExpress 3. Integration with Visual Studio
Once finished, the installer automatically registers components in your IDE and creates a local NuGet feed for .NET Framework and .NET Core assemblies. DevExpress Documentation
: You can find DevExpress project templates directly in the Visual Studio Create a new project Trial Limitations : While the trial is fully functional, a nag screen
will appear when running your applications until a license is purchased. DevExpress 4. Common Troubleshooting
Can't Launch DevExtreme Installer or DevExpress Universal Installer
Getting Started with DevExpress Universal: A Guide to Your 30-Day Trial Setting up a DevExpress Universal
trial allows you to explore an extensive suite of .NET, Blazor, and JavaScript components for 30 days. This guide walks you through the essential steps to download, install, and begin your evaluation. 1. Pre-Installation Checklist
Before starting the setup, ensure your development environment is compatible with the latest version (v25.2 as of 2026): Operating System : Windows 10 (version 1709 or higher). : Visual Studio 2022 or the newly released Visual Studio 2026 devexpress universal trial setup
: Ensure "ASP.NET and web development" and ".NET desktop development" are installed in your Visual Studio setup. Frameworks
: Supported versions include .NET 8, .NET 9, and the upcoming 2. Downloading the Installer
You can obtain the trial components through two primary methods: Unified Component Installer : A comprehensive
file that includes all .NET, Blazor, and ASP.NET Core libraries for desktop and web development. NuGet Feed
: Ideal for developers who prefer managing packages directly within Visual Studio or integrating into CI/CD pipelines. Note: NuGet packages do not include demo applications 3. Running the Setup Wizard Run as Administrator
: Right-click the downloaded executable and select "Run as Administrator". Authentication : The installer will prompt you to log in with your DevExpress.com
account. If you don't have one, you can create it directly through the link provided in the wizard. Select Trial Mode
: If you haven't purchased a license, the installer will automatically identify and offer the products in Trial mode Accept License Agreement
: Review and accept the EULA to proceed with the installation of your selected products. 4. Exploring the Components
Once installed, you can start using DevExpress features immediately:
Get Started | ASP.NET Web Forms Controls | DevExpress Documentation
The DevExpress Universal Trial provides a full-featured, 30-day evaluation of the company’s entire suite of software development tools. It is designed to integrate directly with Visual Studio to streamline the creation of high-performance applications for Windows, Web, and Mobile platforms. Setup Process
Download: Access the Free 30-Day Trial page to download the Unified Component Installer.
Execution: Run the installer as an Administrator to ensure all registry and IDE integrations are successful.
Authentication: Enter your DevExpress account credentials. If you do not have an account, the installer provides a link to create one.
Selection: Choose the specific products (e.g., WinForms, WPF, ASP.NET Core) you wish to evaluate. Setting Up the DevExpress Universal Trial Setting up
Completion: The installer will automatically register components in the Visual Studio toolbox and set up a local NuGet feed for .NET assemblies. Included Components
The Universal trial is the most comprehensive package available and includes:
Desktop Controls: Over 190 WinForms and 110 WPF UI components.
Web Controls: Support for Blazor, ASP.NET Core, MVC, and Web Forms. Frameworks: The eXpressApp Framework (XAF) and XPO ORM.
Productivity Tools: CodeRush for IDE productivity and TestCafe Studio for web testing.
Reporting & BI: A cross-platform reporting engine and the DevExpress BI Dashboard.
Office APIs: Libraries for managing PDF, Word, and Excel documents without Microsoft Office. System Requirements
IDE: Visual Studio 2022+ is recommended for the latest versions.
Workloads: "ASP.NET and web development" and ".NET desktop development" must be installed in Visual Studio. Frameworks: .NET 8+ SDK for modern application development.
Hardware: 4 GB RAM minimum (16 GB recommended) and approximately 2.5 GB to 50 GB of disk space depending on selected features. Key Considerations
Evaluation Period: The trial lasts for 30 days and includes access to technical support.
Trial Limitations: Redistribution of trial assemblies is strictly prohibited; a paid license is required for deployment.
NuGet Support: You can also trial products via the DevExpress NuGet Feed for CI/CD optimization, though these packages lack demo applications.
Conversion: Trial versions can be converted to licensed versions without re-installation by re-running the installer and logging in with a purchased account.
💡 Pro-Tip: Check the "C:\Program Files\DevExpress 25.2\Components" folder after installation for detailed logs if you encounter any setup errors.
To help you get started with the right platform,NET Core integration? ASP.NET Core After installation, launch the DevExpress Product Manager or
The DevExpress Universal Trial provides a 30-day, fully functional window to test over 600 UI controls and reporting tools across all major platforms, including WinForms, WPF, ASP.NET, Blazor, and .NET MAUI. Quick Setup Guide
Download the InstallerVisit the DevExpress Download Page to get the Unified Component Installer. You will need to create a free DevExpress account if you don't already have one. Run the Unified Installer Launch the .exe file. Select Trial Installation when prompted.
Choose the specific platforms you want to install (e.g., WinForms, Blazor, Dashboard).
The installer will automatically integrate these components into your installed versions of Visual Studio. Verify Visual Studio Integration Open Visual Studio and create a new project.
Search for "DevExpress" in the Template Gallery to find pre-configured project skeletons like the Ribbon Form or ASP.NET dashboards.
Check your Toolbox; you should see tabs for DevExpress controls relevant to your project type.
Using NuGet (Alternative Method)If you prefer not to use the heavy installer, you can register the DevExpress NuGet Feed in Visual Studio to pull specific packages directly into your existing solutions. What’s Included in the Universal Trial? Desktop: WinForms and WPF UI Suites. Web: Blazor, ASP.NET Core, Web Forms, and MVC. Mobile: .NET MAUI and Xamarin.Forms.
Enterprise: DevExpress Dashboard, Office File API, and Reporting tools.
Testing & Productivity: CodeRush for Visual Studio and the TestCafe Studio. Trial Limitations Duration: 30 days.
Trial Message: A "Trial Version" splash screen or watermark will appear during runtime or on exported reports.
Support: Trial users have access to the DevExpress Support Center to ask questions during their evaluation. Download Free Trial - DevExpress
Yes, the following DevExpress component libraries/development tools are available free-of-charge. DevExpress
Choose a 12-Month Subscription that's Right for You - DevExpress
DevExpress licenses its software components and development technologies on a subscription basis. WinForms Subscription. DevExpress
License Key for DevExpress .NET Products | General Information
Here is the breakdown of what that setup involves and how to manage it:
Getting started with DevExpress Universal is quick if you follow a few clear steps. This guide walks through downloading the trial, installing required components, activating the trial, creating a first project, and validating key features so you can evaluate DevExpress UI controls and libraries effectively.
No code changes are needed. The only difference is the removal of trial watermarks and extension of support access.