Installation

Before installing, make sure that the Quartus setup file, ModelSim setup file and the device setup file are located in the same folder. Only then, proceed with the following steps.

Run the Quartus setup file.

Once you give Windows permission to run the file, the installation wizard opens up as shown below. Click on the Next button.

Accept the license agreement and click on the Next button.

The default folder where the software gets installed is the C drive. Do not change the location and proceed further by clicking on the Next button.

In the next step, ensure that the 5 components are checked before clicking the Next button. Use only the free version of ModelSim.

The software is now ready to be installed. The installation begins as soon as you hit the Next button.

Once Quartus is installed, ModelSim automatically starts installing. 

Now you will be prompted to install the device driver software (USB Blaster).  

The USB Blaster is required by Quartus to detect and program the FPGA. Check the box and click Next to begin installation

Note that if you are using Windows 10/11, the drivers will not get installed. You need the drivers only if you are planning to load and test your design on an FPGA. 

Not having the drivers will no way impact design entry and simulation. Therefore, error (if any) in the next step can be ignored.

Allow Windows Security to install the software and your installation now starts.

Once the driver is installed, you will see a green check mark as shown below. If you are trying to install the driver on a Windows 11 machine, you will get a red check mark which indicates that the driver couldn't be installed. Nonetheless, this should not affect the simulation aspect of the design.

You have now successfully installed Quartus and ModelSim.