Category Archives: Maps on Windows Computers

Maps on Windows Computers

My maps are available in a choice of two formats and both can be used on Windows computers.  The formats are:

  • Acrobat (pdf), and
  • Memory-Map (qct)

When you purchase one of my maps in Memory-Map (qct) format you also get a free copy of the same map in Acrobat (pdf) format.

These instructions apply to any device running a full version of Windows.  Desktops and laptops mostly run a full version and some tablets do too.  Some tablets and other portable devices only run a cut-down version of windows and may not be capable of loading my maps.  Please ensure you test my maps work on your Windows computer, as described below, before purchasing any of my maps.

Please note that I supply the maps, but I do not supply the software to use them which is available separately, as explained below.

Using my Acrobat (pdf) Format Maps on Windows Computers

All my maps are available in Acrobat (pdf) format.  This is a widely used format and it is very likely that you will already have software on your Windows computer which will open Acrobat (pdf) format maps.

These maps are split into pages, designed for printing at A4 or A5 size.  They can be viewed on screen but there is no smart GPS tracking and you will need to change pages manually as you cruise along.

For further information please see:-

There is other software which claims to open Acrobat (pdf) format maps and it is likely that many of them will work with my maps but I have not tested any of them.  Setting up that software and using it is likely to involve similar steps to those described for the Acrobat Reader software, above.

Please ensure you test my maps work on your Windows computer using my free Droitwich Canals Map in Acrobat (pdf) format before purchasing any of my maps.

Using my Memory-Map (qct) Format Maps on Windows Computers

All my maps are available in Memory-Map (qct) format.  This is the “Quick Chart” format which is used for mapping products, including some versions of Ordnance Survey maps.  It is sometimes referred to as the “Classic Map” format to distinguish it from the alternative “qc3” format.

These are the same maps as in the Acrobat (pdf) format but they are joined into one large map which you can seamlessly scroll around and zoom in and out.  On devices with GPS they provide smart tracking like Sat-Nav or Google Maps.

There is just one software program for using my maps on Windows computers:-

  • Memory-Map Software:  This has a good range of features, but payment is required to use it.

For further information please see:

Please ensure you test the maps work on your Windows Computer using my free Droitwich Canals Map in Memory-Map (qct) format before purchasing any of my maps.

Remember, when you purchase one of my maps in Memory-Map (qct) format you also get a free copy of the same map in Acrobat (pdf) format.

Setup Windows Computers with the Acrobat Reader Software

Please note that I supply the maps, but not the software to use them. To use the Acrobat (pdf) version of my maps on a Windows computer you will need appropriate software installed.

This page describes using the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.  There’s lots of other software that claims to open Acrobat (pdf) format maps and most of them probably work but I have not tested any of them.

Setting up my maps with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software is a three stage process:-

  • Install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software and check that works
  • Install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works
  • Install more of my free or paid-for maps

Installing the Free Adobe Acrobat Reader Software

In this step we we will install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software and check that works.

Most Windows computers will already have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed and working.  If so, or if you have an equivalent you are happy with, then you can proceed straight to the next step to install my free Droitwich Canals map.

Visit Adobe’s website and follow their links and instructions to download and install the Windows version of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software.

Only proceed to the next step when you have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed and working.

Installing my free Droitwich Canals Map

In this step we will install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works. Make sure you have completed the previous step and have the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software installed and working first.

Download my free Droitwich Canals Cruising Map in Acrobat (pdf)  format on your Windows computer and note where you have saved it.  You may wish to create a folder for storing maps in.

Open the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software on your Windows computer, select open and navigate to the folder you saved the Droitwich Canals map in, and open the map.

You should now have my free Droitwich Canals map on screen and you can view the map on screen, a page at a time.  Note that the Acrobat (pdf) version of my maps does not have any of the smart scrolling and tracking features that work in the Memory-Map (act) version of my maps.

Using my free Droitwich Canals map with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software allows you to check you can get my maps working on your Windows computer before you spend any money.

Please make sure you test my maps work on your Windows computer and you can conquer the installation process. Only proceed to the next step when you have my free Droitwich Canal map working on your Windows computer.

Installing more of my free or paid-for maps

Once you have the free Droitwich Canals map working on your Windows computer you can repeat the previous step to install more maps.

There are free maps to download from my website for many restoration projects and there are paid-for maps for the open waterways.

Please Remember

I supply the maps and I will provide support for the maps in the unlikely event of any problems.

I do NOT supply the free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. That comes from Adobe, by download from their website, and you must seek help from Adobe in the event of any problems with their software.

My free Droitwich Canals map allow you to check everything works before you spend any money. Please don’t pay for any maps on my website until you have checked they work on your Windows computer.

Setup Windows Computers with the Memory-Map Software

Please note that I supply the maps, but not the software to use them. To use the Memory-Map (qct) version of my maps on a Windows computer you will need the Memory-Map software.

Setting up my maps with the Memory-Map software is a three stage process:-

  • Install the Memory-Map software and check that works
  • Install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works
  • Install more of my free or paid-for maps

Installing the Memory-Map Software

In this step we we will install the Memory-Map software and check that works.

Visit Memory-Map’s website and follow their links and instructions to download and install the Windows version of the Memory-Map software.

This comes with free sample maps. Make sure the Memory-Map software runs on your Windows computer and displays the free maps. If you have any problems getting the Memory-Map software running then please seek support from Memory-Map who produce the software. The Memory-Map support pages are very helpful.

Note the name of the folder you choose to install the free sample maps in – you will need to know this later.

Only proceed to the next step when you have the Memory-Map software installed and working.

Installing my free Droitwich Canals Map

In this step we will install my free Droitwich Canals Map and check that works. Make sure you have completed the previous step and have the Memory-Map software installed and working first.

Download my free Droitwich Canals Cruising Map in Memory-Map (qct) format to your computer and save it in the same folder as the sample maps that came with the software, or a sub folder of that. You can download it somewhere else first, then move it into that folder, or sub folder.

Open the Memory-Map software and use the menu commands Map > Map List > Refresh Map List > OK

You should now see my free Droitwich Canals map listed. All my map names start with “WR” (for Waterway Routes) so they will be near the end of an alphabetical list. Select the map and it will start to load.

Somewhere during the last few steps (it will vary depending on which version of the software you have) you will be asked to enable the “Classic Map Compatibility Option” and offered a free trial. Select the free trial.

You should now have my free Droitwich Canals map on screen and you can scroll around and zoom in and out in the usual way. If you have GPS on your Windows computer and you are near Droitwich then the GPS tracking will work too.

At the end of the free trial for the “Classic Map Compatibility” option you will be asked for payment if you wish to continue using the Memory-Map software. If you choose not to make payment then the Memory-Map software will no longer work with my maps. That payment is collected by Memory-Map to cover their costs for developing and supporting the software and none of it comes to me.

Using my free Droitwich Canals map with the free trial of the Classic Map Compatibility option in the Memory-Map software allows you to check you can get my maps working on your Windows computer before you spend any money.

Please make sure you test my maps work on your Windows computer and you can conquer the installation process. Only proceed to the next step when you have my free Droitwich Canals map working on your Windows computer.

Installing more of my free or paid-for maps

Once you have the free Droitwich Canals map working on your Windows computer you can repeat the previous step to install more maps.

There are free maps to download from my website for many restoration projects and there are paid-for maps for the open waterways.

Please Remember

I supply the maps and I will provide support for my maps in the unlikely event of any problems.

I do NOT supply the Memory-Map software. That comes from Memory-Map, by download from their website, and you must seek help from Memory-Map in the event of any problems with their software.

My free Droitwich Canals map and the free trial of the software allow you to check everything works before you spend any money. Please don’t pay for any maps on my website until you have checked they work on your Windows computer.