About MiKTeX

MiKTeX (pronounced mick-tech) is an up-to-date implementation of TeX and related programs for Windows (all current variants).

TeX is a typesetting system invented by Donald E. Knuth.

MiKTeXs main features include:

very easy to install
complete: 1613 packages (styles, fonts, ...) are available to help you typset your documents
living: packages are updated regularly (last update: 2008-08-20)
sophisticated package management: missing packages can be installed automatically; an update wizard helps you to keep your MiKTeX system up-to-date
fast previewing: the TeX output viewer Yap allows for an optimized edit-compile-view cycle (if the TeX authoring system in use supports source specials)
MiKTeX is open source

The MiKTeX distribution consists of the following components:

TeX: the classic TeX compiler
pdfTeX, XeTeX, Omega, NTS: various TeX variants
MetaPost: converts picture specifications into PostScript commands
a complete set of macro packages and fonts (e.g., LaTeX, ...)
Yap: a viewer for TeX output
Lots of utilities: tools for the creation of bibliographies & indexes, PostScript utilities, and more.

MiKTeX is free! You are welcome to redistribute MiKTeX under certain conditions.