Home STIG questions Why won't DISA STIG Viewer open, and can I run it on a Mac?

Why won't DISA STIG Viewer open, and can I run it on a Mac?

Last updated on Nov 11, 2026

If DISA STIG Viewer will not start, first check which version you have. STIG Viewer 3.x replaces STIG Viewer 2.x, and the 3.x User Guide only describes Windows and Linux packages. There is no macOS package in that guide.

Use STIG Viewer 3.x

Many launch problems come from running an old 2.x JAR file with a modern Java install. Errors such as "Could not find or load main class" or a missing JavaFX class point to this. DISA now publishes 3.x as a Windows or Linux package instead.

  1. Go to the Cyber Exchange website, then SRGs/STIGs, More, SRG/STIG Tools.
  2. Download STIG Viewer 3.x-Win64, STIG Viewer 3.x-Linux or the Windows MSI package.
  3. Check the download against the published SHA256, SHA384 or SHA512 hash values.
  4. Extract every file from the ZIP to your local disk. The standalone app does not run from inside the ZIP.
  5. For the MSI, open the enclosed .msi file. Installing it needs administrator rights.

Common problems

  • Nothing happens on Windows. Windows may mark the download as coming from the internet. Ask your administrator first. If approved, open the file's Properties, check Unblock on the General tab and select OK. The PowerShell Unblock-File cmdlet does the same.
  • "Operation Not Permitted" or "cannot open shared object file" on Linux. The File Access Policy Daemon (fapolicyd) can block the app. Unzip it to a shared folder such as /opt/stigviewer, add that folder with sudo fapolicyd-cli --file add /opt/stigviewer, then run sudo fapolicyd-cli --update.
  • "Unable to access jarfile". Java cannot find the file at the path you typed. Run the command from the folder that holds the file, or give the full path. Then move to 3.x.
  • Not sure you have the latest release. Open the hamburger menu, then Help, then Check for Updates.

Options on a Mac

  • Run the Windows or Linux build in a virtual machine, or on a separate Windows or Linux computer.
  • If you only need to read STIG requirements, the STIGViewer website shows the full DISA catalog in any browser at no cost. It does not replace the DISA desktop app for building and editing checklists.

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