Overview

The Redgate Test Data Manager GUI provides an interface for managing test data operations.

This guide covers installation on Windows systems. A Docker image is also available in preview.

Requirements

Hardware requirements

Component	Minimum	Recommended
CPUs	8 cores	16+ cores
RAM	16 GB	32+ GB
Disk Space	10 GB	10+ GB

Software requirements

Software	Version	Notes
Operating System	Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016 or later	We also require a Windows user with administrator privileges

Browser requirements

Supported browsers:
- Chrome (recommended)
- Edge
- Firefox

Internet Explorer is not supported and will not work with Test Data Manager GUI.

Before you begin

Ensure you have:

Windows administrator privileges
Two available ports (defaults: 443 HTTPS, 8080 HTTP)

Step 1: Download the installer

Download the TDM Hub GUI installer from our download page.
Extract the zip file
Locate the .exe file - This is your installer

Step 2: Run the installer

Right-click the .exe file and select Run as administrator
Click Next on the Welcome screen

Step 3: Destination folder

Click Next to install to the default folder, or click Change to choose another location
Default location: C:\Program Files\Red Gate\Test Data Manager\
Click Next to continue

Step 4: Configure ports

The application needs two ports:

Port Type	Default	Purpose
HTTP	8080	Redirects to HTTPS
HTTPS	443	Main application access

To configure:

Enter port numbers or use defaults
Click Validate
Click Next after validation succeeds

Step 5: Choose the service account

The Test Data Manager service needs a Windows account to run under. On this page of the installer, choose the account it should use:

Option	When to use it
Network Service (default)	Recommended for most installations. A built-in Windows account with limited privileges; no password required.
Other Account	A specific Windows user (local or domain). Use this when the service needs to reach your databases using Windows (integrated) authentication as that user. Enter the account as `DOMAIN\username` (or `.\username` for a local account) together with its password.
Group Managed Service Account (gMSA)	A domain account whose password is managed automatically by Active Directory. Enter it as `DOMAIN\accountname$` - no password is required.

The installer validates your choice before continuing. For a custom account it checks the username and password and, if they're incorrect, asks you to correct them before you can proceed.

The selected account is granted only what the service needs — access to the Test Data Manager data and log folders, the Log on as a service right, and read access to the service's SSL certificate private key.

The encryption key

At the same time, the installer creates Test Data Manager's encryption key (key.dat, under C:\ProgramData\Red Gate\Test Data Manager\Keys). This key protects the database connection credentials you save in Test Data Manager. It is created and owned by the account you selected, and locked down so that only that account (and the local system) can read it.

Important

Keep this key safe. It is created once, and a replacement key cannot decrypt credentials saved with the previous one — those connections would need their passwords re-entered. If the key is ever missing, the service will not start and will ask you to repair or reinstall.

Changing the service account later

You can change the account after installation by re-running the installer and selecting a different account on the service account page. The installer reconfigures the service, adjusts the required permissions, and restarts it. (The options offered depend on how the service is currently configured.)

If key.dat is ever missing — for example, it was deleted — repair the installation (run the installer again and choose Repair). The repair re-creates the key for the current service account.

A re-created key is a new key. It cannot decrypt credentials saved with the previous key, so affected connections will need their passwords entered again.

Step 6: Install

Click Install to begin installation (requires administrator privileges)
Click Back to review or change any of your installation settings
Click Cancel to exit the wizard
Wait for the installation to complete

Step 7: Complete installation

Launch Test Data Manager in browser is selected by default and will open the GUI automatically after finishing
Click Finish

Switch to a SQL Server backing database (optional): If you want to use a SQL Server backing database instead of Sqlite, see Switching to a SQL Server backing database.

Step 8: Access the GUI

By default, the GUI will open automatically in your default browser
- If you deselected "Launch Test Data Manager in browser", open a supported browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox) and go to https://localhost:443(or your custom HTTPS port)
  Do not use Internet Explorer - it is not supported.
Accept the certificate warning. Because Test Data Manager uses a self-signed SSL certificate by default, your browser will show a security warning on first access. This is expected behavior. To proceed:
- Chrome/Edge: Click "Advanced" → "Proceed to localhost (unsafe)"
- Firefox: Click "Advanced" → "Accept the Risk and Continue"
Wait for initial setup (first launch only)
- On first launch, database migrations run automatically (1-2 minutes). You'll see: Application is not ready - Database is currently being migrated
- Once complete, the Test Data Manager setup screen will appear.

Next Steps

See Configure the TDM UI to continue with initial configuration.

Redgate Test Data Manager

GUI installation