If you’re new to Silhouette and need help with installing the design software, this is the post for you! It’s important to install Silhouette Studio® or Mint Studio™ on your computer before you connect your Silhouette, as it makes the setup process easier.
What Is Silhouette Studio® And Mint Studio™?
Silhouette Studio® and Mint Studio™ is the industry-leading, multi-faceted design software that puts designing right at your fingertips. Within the software, you can create your own designs, store them, and purchase ready-made designs from our ever-growing community of designers in the Silhouette Design Store.
Both Silhouette Studio® Basic Edition and Mint Studio™ are available for free online. There are two ways you can install Silhouette Studio® or Mint Studio™ on your computer:
- Download from silhouetteamerica.com/software
- Use installation CD included in the box
Some of the Silhouette machines do not come with an installation CD and require you to log on to the silhouette website to download the software.
Paid Editions Of Silhouette Studio®
The software available on silhouetteamerica.com/software is the free, basic version of Silhouette Studio®. You can purchase upgraded versions of the software here.
Installing Silhouette Software On Your Computer
We’re going to be installing Silhouette Studio® on a Mac®, but the steps are very similar for installing on a PC or installing Mint Studio™.
Download Software From Website
- Navigate to silhouetteamerica.com/software.
- Select your operating system Mac® from the drop down menu under Silhouette Studio® or Mint Studio™.
- Click “Download.” Once the software has finished downloading, click to open.
Your download speed will vary on your internet connection. I’m using Google Chrome as my web browser, so keep in mind that your download might show up differently if you’re using Mozilla Firefox or Internet Explorer.
Follow Directions To Install Software
- Follow installation instructions as prompted by your computer.
There will be some differences between installing the software on a PC or a Mac®, but each operating system is very good at taking you step by step.
You will need administrator permission to install the software. On personal computers, this is usually your regular login information. If you are not an administrator, you will have to get the login information to continue with the install.
- Read through the license agreement and click, “I Agree.”
Register Your Machine
You must register your machine if you want to use the warranty or access the free exclusive shapes that come with your purchase. To register your machine:
- Fill out the form provided. All fields are required to complete registration.
Please note that your Silhouette’s serial number is located on the back (not bottom!) of your machine.
- Select “Register.”
If you’ve already registered a machine, you can skip this part by selecting “I’ve Already Registered” or “Later.” If you choose “Later”, and you haven’t already registered a machine, don’t forget to come back and do so, otherwise your warranty will not be valid.
Once you have finished registering your machine, you will see the main screen for Silhouette Studio®. You are ready to create!
Checking For Updates
There are two ways to check for updates—using your Silhouette software or manually downloading the update from silhouetteamerica.com/software.
Updating Using The Software
The update checker can be found in the menu option “Help > Check for updates…”
You can also set your Silhouette software to automatically check for updates. To automatically check for updates:
- Select the Settings icon in the bottom right hand corner to open the Preferences window.
- Click “General” from the list of options.
- Set how often you’d like your software to check for updates. “Always,” “Daily,” “Weekly,” or “Never.”
Updating Manually Using The Website
To update your software manually:
- Navigate to silhouetteamerica.com/software.
- Select your operating system Mac® from the drop down menu under Silhouette Studio® or Mint Studio™.
- Click “Download.” Once the software update has finished downloading, click to open.
From there, follow the installation prompts on your computer. You’ll be updated to the latest version of the software.
Gina Hall
September 28, 2016
Hi I have designer edition, I did the software update from the site, and now all my files and patterns have disappeared! I tried several times to send an error report and each time it said error can’t send and only way to get rid of the box was to close down my silhouette. Can you please offer advice how to sort this and recover all my lost files.
Sierra Dungan
September 28, 2016
So sorry that you are unable to locate those files. We have heard that this is happening to more people so we are having our developers look into it. If you would like to talk to someone directly contact our support@silhouetteamerica.com and we can help you recover those files.
Michelle
October 20, 2016
I purchased DE and have it installed on my Mac. After that I tossed the card with the code. Now I want to also download it on my new PC. How can I do that?
Sierra Dungan
October 21, 2016
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com to report the nature of your request. We are happy to attend to special requests in special situations and reset the ability to apply the license key onto a replacement computer.
Debra Speir
October 25, 2016
My computer kept clicking off power and then I go a message error. I have downloaded silhouette again and now its not connecting to the server. Please help I can get on the internet from different sites on my computer. I think I have downloaded a few different times also. So I think it may be trying to come up more then once. I get the back page while the thing is stilling coming up. And the program seems to not be running quite right, however I am new at it. But it was better before could you please help me with some advise. Thank you Debra
Sierra Dungan
October 26, 2016
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Sofronio Garrucho
November 11, 2016
i’ve to re-install my designer edition using my purchase key but getting a message that key is already in use.
Sierra Dungan
November 14, 2016
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Connie
December 2, 2016
I have the original Silhouette Software on my mac. I have now purchased a new Cameo should I delete the software on my mac before installing the new software? If so how?
Sierra Dungan
December 5, 2016
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Jo Anna Martinez
December 4, 2016
I want to install the silhouette cameo to my new computer. If I de-activate my license key from my old computer to my new computer will I lose all my file designs that I save to my library? These are files that I created and saved them to the silhouette studio library.
Sierra Dungan
December 5, 2016
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Karen
December 11, 2016
I just purchased a Cameo 3. I have registered and downloaded the software as well as purchased files to use. When I pull up a layout my computer won’t recognize the machine. I have Wi-Fi and even connected through a dedicated line. Any suggestions?
Sierra Dungan
December 12, 2016
Please contact the Silhouette America Support Team at support@silhouetteamerica.com and they can help you troubleshoot your problem.
Connie
December 26, 2016
Why do you even have a comment section if all you’re gonna do it refer everyone to the support team. That’s what you should be if you are answering these questions!!
Lauren Heperi
January 4, 2017
Hi Connie! Thank you for the comment and the feedback. We want the blog to be a valuable educational resource for our users to help them use the Silhouette family of machines. And often times specific problems (such as troubleshooting software) is better handled on a case-by-case basis. That way, you have someone to talk you through the process.
If you have any other questions or ideas for what you’d like featured on the blog, please don’t hesitate to email our blog team at blog@silhouetteamerica.com.