Instalation of Pro version

I skipped the free version and got the Pro cuz it’s not that expensive and the trial seems like a pain to use

My question is . . . Can I INSTALL it from the zip download? I have in on my computer and it runs but it is not showing as an installed app in Control Panel. Win-11 25H2. Is that done from the MSI download or what? There’s no 'setup" file in the zip folder

Count this as an intro as well, Ive been using Autocad 2004 since 2004 but I’m still a novice as I’m a landscaper and dont need to use it very much but I’m retired and a landscape designer wants me to start doing plans for her and AC-2004 will not install on Windows 11 but I do still have a boot option for Windows 7 32 bit that it runs on. Just thought I would play around with QCAD for a while and see how it goes.

Yes, to install, please use the Microsoft Installer (MSI) file. You can find it on your download page, labeled:

Windows 64bit MSI

Windows
64bit
MSI Installer
(Recommended)
Version: 3.32.4

The ZIP file can be used if you do NOT want to install QCAD but just run it.

What’s the advantage to a proper installation over just running it?

The installer creates a start menu entry and links DXF and DWG files with QCAD.