TimescaleDB RE-package

TimescaleDB - Time-series database for high-performance real-time analytics packaged as a Postgres extension

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Notes and Installation Guide

I needed TimescaleDB for one of my projects while running Windows 11 (25H2) with PostgreSQL v16.1. Although Tiger Data provides various installation instructions (including Windows), unfortunately the installer could not locate my pg_config.

What I tried

• I attempted to compile TimescaleDB from the latest source, but the latest source no longer supports my PostgreSQL version. The build failed with the following error:

<your-pgsql-folder>\timescaledb\src\compat\compat.h(63,1): error C1189: #error:  "Unsupported PostgreSQL version" [<your-pgsql-folder>\timescaledb\build\tsl\src\timescaledb-tsl.vcxproj]

From this error it is clear that the correct TimescaleDB version for a given PostgreSQL release can be determined by inspecting src/compat/compat.h in the TimescaleDB source branches.

How I resolved it

1. I reviewed the TimescaleDB release packages on GitHub and tested several older releases until I found a package compatible with PostgreSQL v16.1.
2. Once I found a matching release package, I installed the extension using the steps below.

Installing the TimescaleDB extension on Windows (binary package)

1. Stop the PostgreSQL service via services.msc.
2. Download the appropriate TimescaleDB package from the Releases page (choose the package that matches your PostgreSQL version).
3. Extract the ZIP file into your PostgreSQL installation directory (overwrite or merge files as required).
   a. *.dll files goes to <your-pgsql-folder>\lib folder
   b. *.control and *.sql files goes to <your-pgsql-folder>\share\extension folder.
   c. timescaledb-tune.exe goes to <your-pgsql-folder>\bin folder.
   
4. From <your-pgsql-folder>\bin run timescaledb-tune.exe -conf-path <your-pgsql-folder>\data -pg-version <major-pgsql-version> to optimize postgresql.conf settings. (postgresql.conf location is in <your-pgsql-folder>\data)
5. Start the PostgreSQL service.
6. Connect to PostgreSQL, from destination DB run:

   CREATE EXTENSION IF NOT EXISTS timescaledb;
   

7. If the command returns OK, the TimescaleDB extension is installed successfully.
   
   
8. Verify version: SELECT extname, extversion FROM pg_extension WHERE extname = 'timescaledb';

Troubleshooting

• Choose the correct package: Always download the TimescaleDB package that exactly matches your PostgreSQL version and architecture.
• Common error after CREATE EXTENSION:

  ERROR:  could not load library "<your-pgsql-folder>/lib/timescaledb-x.xx.x.dll": The specified procedure could not be found.
  

  This error indicates the TimescaleDB binary is incompatible with the running PostgreSQL version. The fix is to downgrade or switch to a TimescaleDB release that matches your PostgreSQL version.

Technical note

• If you attempt to build from the latest source and encounter the Unsupported PostgreSQL version error, inspect src/compat/compat.h in the TimescaleDB source to see which PostgreSQL versions are supported by that TimescaleDB commit/release.

Limitation

• Currently, I have not tested all available TimescaleDB packages. Only the version that I use for my project will be included in the releases.

Request / Call for help

If you have a TimescaleDB binary package that is compatible with other PostgreSQL versions on Windows, please let me know/drop info on Discussion. I am especially interested in packages for PostgreSQL versions commonly used on Windows machines.

Summary

The official Windows instructions may fail for some local setups. When building from source, check src/compat/compat.h for supported PostgreSQL versions. For most users on Windows, the quickest path is to find a prebuilt TimescaleDB release that matches your PostgreSQL version.

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