--- title: "Getting started with Nutrient Document Converter Services" canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/getting-started/" md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/getting-started.md" last_updated: "2026-05-29T15:33:59.382Z" description: "Learn how to install and set up Nutrient Document Converter Services to convert more than 100 file types to PDF using REST and SOAP APIs." --- # Get started with Document Converter Services Nutrient Document Converter Services (DCS) is a self-hosted server solution that converts more than 100 file types to PDF using SOAP-based APIs. This guide explains the installation and initial setup process. ## Prerequisites Before installing DCS, verify that your environment meets the following requirements: - Windows Server (2016 or later recommended) - Administrative privileges on the server - Windows service account with local administrator rights - [Download the DCS installer](https://www.nutrient.io/sdk/try/document-converter-services/) Optional components for advanced features: - Ghostscript 10.04.0 (32-bit or 64-bit) for PDF/A conversion, OCR, and post-processing For detailed installation instructions, refer to chapter 2 of the [administration guide](https://www.nutrient.io/downloads/pdf-converter-services---administration-guide.pdf). Follow the instructions in the guide and the link to **Installing Prerequisites & Dependencies** to ensure all components are configured correctly. ## Installation steps Follow the steps below to install DCS. ### 1. Download the installer Go to the [trial/download page](https://www.nutrient.io/sdk/try/document-converter-services/), fill in the required information, and click **Submit**. You’ll receive an email with a download link. ### 2. Run the setup Download the installer from the link provided in the email. Execute `setup.exe` from your download location. The installation wizard guides you through the process. ### 3. Choose installation mode The installer presents several configuration options: - **Install only the Conversion Service on this computer** — Select this option for pure API use from.NET, Java, PHP, Ruby, or other platforms without SharePoint integration. - **Install the Conversion Service on this system and the SharePoint front-end on the entire farm** — Select this option for SharePoint farm deployments. - **Install the SharePoint front-end on the entire farm** — Select this option to point to an existing Conversion Service. Accept the default installation path unless your organization requires a specific location. ### 4. Specify the service account Provide the Windows account credentials for running DCS. Requirements for the account: - Local administrator privileges on the server - “Log on as a Service” permission (granted automatically by the installer) ### 5. Handle prerequisites The installer validates required components and displays any missing dependencies with a red X indicator. Resolve missing prerequisites and rerun the installer for optimal results. If you plan to use PDF/A conversion, OCR, or advanced post-processing features, select the option to download and install Ghostscript during setup. ### 6. Install Ghostscript (optional) For PDF/A conversion and OCR capabilities, install Ghostscript manually: 1. Download [Ghostscript 10.04.0](https://ghostscript.com/releases/gsdnld.html) (32-bit or 64-bit to match your system). 2. Install Ghostscript on each server running DCS. 3. If Ghostscript isn’t in the default path, configure the path: - Open `Muhimbi.DocumentConverter.Service.exe.config` - Set `Ghostscript.Path` to the full executable path - Restart DCS ### 7. Start and verify the service 1. Verify that DCS Windows service is running. 2. Use the built-in diagnostics tool to validate converters and verify the setup. To check the service status: ```powershell Get-Service -Name "Muhimbi Document Converter Service" ``` ## Test your first conversion After installation, test the service with a conversion. ### Accessing the WSDL The web service is available at: ``` http://localhost:41734/Muhimbi.DocumentConverter.WebService/?WSDL ``` Replace `localhost` with your server name or IP address for remote access. ### Testing with the diagnostics tool The diagnostics tool validates all installed converters: 1. Open the DCS administration interface. 2. Navigate to **Diagnostics**. 3. Select a converter type (for example, WordProcessing). 4. Run the validation test. A successful test confirms that the service is ready to process conversions. ## Next steps Now that DCS is installed and running, explore these common use cases: - [Convert documents to PDF](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/conversion.md) — Try document conversion with code examples in multiple languages. - [Add watermarks to documents](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/watermark.md) — Protect your documents with text or image watermarks. - [Apply OCR to scanned documents](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/ocr.md) — Extract text from images and scanned PDFs. - [Merge multiple documents](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/merge-or-combine.md) — Combine documents into a single PDF. - [Split PDFs into separate files](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/split.md) — Extract pages from PDF documents. - [Using DCS with Python](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/dcs-with-python.md) — Integrate DCS with Python applications. ## Troubleshooting If you encounter issues during installation or setup: - **Service fails to start** — Verify the service account has local administrator privileges. - **Missing converters** — Check that all prerequisite components installed successfully. - **Connection errors** — Confirm Windows Firewall allows traffic on port 41734. - **Ghostscript not detected** — Verify the path in `Muhimbi.DocumentConverter.Service.exe.config`. For detailed troubleshooting steps, refer to [validating converters and troubleshooting errors](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/sharepoint/troubleshooting/validating-converters-and-troubleshooting-errors.md) or [contact our Support team](https://support.nutrient.io/hc/en-us/requests/new). ## Additional resources - [DCS release notes](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/release-notes.md) — Latest features and improvements - [Software requirements](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/about/software-requirements.md) — Complete system requirements - [Security FAQ](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/about/security-faq.md) — Security best practices and common questions - [General FAQ](https://www.nutrient.io/guides/document-converter/about/general-faq-pdf-converter-services.md) — Frequently asked questions --- ## Related pages - [Import the zeep library to access WSDL](/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/dcs-with-python.md) - [Convert documents to PDF and more using Nutrient Document Converter Services](/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services.md) - [Stay updated with Document Converter release notes](/guides/document-converter/document-converter-services/release-notes.md)