Published: October 16, 2012

Summary: Learn how to install solutions or components that were customized by developer or web designers to a SharePoint 2013 environment.

Applies to:  SharePoint Server 2013 | SharePoint Foundation 2013 

The process to install custom site elements and solution packages in SharePoint 2010 Products and SharePoint 2013 has not changed significantly. Detailed content about how to install custom elements is available in the SharePoint Server 2010 technical library in the following section Deploy customizations - overview (SharePoint Server 2010). To install solution packages, you can use a new parameter, CompatibilityLevel, to install the solution to the latest version directories, or to use only the current version tracked in the cab file. For more information, see Install-SPSolution.

To add functionality to SharePoint sites in SharePoint 2013, you can use apps for SharePoint. For more information about apps for SharePoint, see Install and manage apps for SharePoint for SharePoint 2013.

TechNet articles about how to install and manage solutions

The following articles about how to install and manage solutions are available to view online. Writers update articles on a continuing basis as new information becomes available and as users provide feedback.

	Content	Description
	Deploy customizations - overview (SharePoint Server 2010)	Overview article and detailed content about how to install custom elements for SharePoint Server 2010. Applies to both SharePoint 2010 Products and SharePoint 2013.
	Sandboxed solutions administration (SharePoint Server 2010)	Content about how to manage sandboxed solutions for SharePoint Server 2010. Applies to both SharePoint 2010 Products and SharePoint 2013.
	Features and solutions cmdlets in SharePoint 2013	List Windows PowerShell cmdlets that help you manage features and solutions in a SharePoint 2013 farm.

Additional resources about how to install and manage solutions

The following resources about how to install and manage solutions are available from other subject matter experts.

	Content	Description
	SharePoint 2013 Tech Center	Visit the TechCenter to access videos, community sites, documentation, and more.
	SharePoint developer center	Find resources for building solutions on SharePoint 2013. This includes how-to articles, code samples, and the SharePoint SDK.
	To the SharePoint Get the Point	Read draft content, learn about new content, and join the conversation at this IT pro content team blog. Learn how to get the most out of SharePoint sites by reading this blog.