Guide to install R and RStudio IDE into your PC

Introduction

This guide shows a straightforward, step-by-step process to install R (the programming language) and RStudio (the integrated development environment) on your computer. Instructions cover Windows, macOS and Linux, and include quick checks to confirm a successful installation.

Before you begin (prerequisites)

• Internet connection to download installers.

• Know your operating system: Windows, macOS (Intel or Apple Silicon/M-series) or Linux.

• Administrator privileges to install applications on your machine.

• Recommended: 300 MB free space for RStudio and ~100 MB for R base (sizes vary by version).

Where to download

- R (The Comprehensive R Archive Network): https://cran.r-project.org

- RStudio Desktop: https://posit.co (RStudio downloads are available from the RStudio / Posit website)

Step 1 — Install R (base)

1. Open the CRAN website: https://cran.r-project.org

2. Choose your operating system: Windows, macOS or Linux.

3. Windows:

   1. Click "Download R for Windows" → "Install R for the first time".

   2. Download the current Windows installer (for example, R 4.5.2 as a recent example).

   3. Run the downloaded .exe, accept the prompts, choose English (or your preferred language), and follow the installer defaults.

4. macOS:

   1. Click "Download R for macOS".

   2. Pick the package that matches your processor: Apple Silicon/M-series or Intel.

   3. Open the downloaded .pkg and follow the installer steps.

5. Linux:

   1. Follow the appropriate link for your distribution on the CRAN pages and use the distribution-specific instructions (APT/YUM/other).

6. When installation finishes, you should find an R icon (for example, "R x.y.z") in your Start menu, Applications folder or desktop.

Step 2 — Install RStudio (IDE)

1. Open the RStudio (Posit) download page: https://posit.co (choose RStudio Desktop).

2. Make sure R (base) is already installed before installing RStudio. RStudio uses the installed R installation.

3. Choose the installer for your operating system:

   • Windows: download the RStudio Desktop .exe (example recent version: 2026.01.0+392).

   • macOS: download the .dmg for your macOS version.

   • Linux: select the appropriate package for your distribution.

4. Run the installer. On Windows you may be asked "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" — click Yes.

5. Choose the installation folder (default Program Files/C: is fine) and complete the installation.

6. When done, RStudio will usually place a desktop icon or an entry in your applications menu.

Verifying the installation

1. Open the R application to confirm R base runs. You should see an R console window and a prompt.

2. Open RStudio. The typical layout includes four panes: Console, Environment/History, Files/Plots/Packages/Help, and Source/Editor.

3. Check the R version inside R or RStudio console. Example commands: R.version.string sessionInfo()

4. Verify the R version matches the one you installed (for example, "R version 4.5.2").

Troubleshooting and tips

• If RStudio does not detect R, ensure R was installed in a default location and restart your computer. Reinstalling R first then RStudio often resolves detection problems.

• On macOS with Apple Silicon, install the correct package for M-series processors. Installing the Intel build on M-series may work under Rosetta but it is better to use the native build when available.

• If you see permission or UAC errors on Windows, run the installer as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator).

• Keep both R and RStudio updated. R and RStudio versions are released independently; update R first, then RStudio.

• Need a specific R version for compatibility? CRAN archives old versions that can be downloaded if required.

Quick checklist before starting a project

• R base installed and version confirmed.

• RStudio installed and launches with the R console available.

• Install commonly used packages using install.packages("packageName") as needed.

Final notes

The installation process is simple: first install R base, then install RStudio Desktop. Following the installers' defaults will work for most users. Once installed, open RStudio and begin by checking your R version and installing any packages required for your work.

Peace and blessings. Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.