====== Windows Installation ======

===== Prerequisites =====
Synchronet requires the following Microsoft Visual++ Run-time libraries installed (**for x86**, not x64):
  * [[https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26999|Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 Redistributable Package (x86)]] - Choose **''vcredist_x86.exe''**
  * [[https://aka.ms/vc14/vc_redist.x86.exe|Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Runtime v14 (x86)]]

===== Installation =====

=== Install from official releases ===

After downloading the Synchronet distribution file (e.g. ''[[http://synchro.net/Synchronet/sbbs321e.zip]]''), you will need to extract the archive file that you downloaded into a temporary directory on your hard drive. You may need WinZip or an equivalent archive program to uncompress and extract the installation files.

  03/17/2026  02:03 AM               521 FILE_ID.DIZ
  03/17/2026  02:03 AM            66,931 install.rtf
  03/17/2026  02:02 AM        23,118,611 install_SBBS_v3.21e.exe

Once you've extracted the installation files, go to the directory you extracted the compressed files to and run ''install_SBBS_v3.21e'' to start the installation.

{{:install:sbbs_install_error_already_running.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install error}}

If you receive the above error dialog, that indicates that you are currently running an instance of Synchronet BBS software and need to stop that process before the installation can continue.

{{:install:sbbs_win-install_welcome.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install welcome}}

When the installer starts successfully, you will see the above welcome message.

{{:install:sbbs_win-install_readme.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install instructions}}

Clicking the "Next >" button will display the included ''install.rtf'' file.

{{:install:sbbs_win-install_dest.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install destination}}

Clicking the "Next >" button will display a dialog which prompts you to choose an installation directory.

The default installation directory is recommended for most users. If you choose to change the installation directory, it is critical that you DO NOT use a path with long filenames or spaces or some 16-bit DOS utilities which require DOS-compatible 8.3 file and directory names will not function.  It is recommended you use a directory named "SBBS" off of the root directory on one of your hard drives (e.g. ''C:\SBBS'').

{{:install:sbbs_win-install_additional_tasks.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install additional tasks}}
{{:install:sbbs_win-install_additional_tasks2.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install additional tasks}}

After completing your selections...

{{:install:sbbs_win-install_ready.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install ready}}

Clicking the "Install" button will start the installation process.

{{:install:sbbs_win-install_installing.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install in process}}

{{:install:sbbs_win-install_complete.png?400|Synchronet for Windows install completed}}

When the installation process is completed you may find a new Icon on your //Desktop// and/or your //Startup Folder// in your Start Menu. If you do not want Synchronet to start automatically during boot, you may safely delete the Synchronet shortcut from your Windows //Startup Folder//.

Clicking the "Finish" button will exit the setup/installation program and if the //"Launch Synchronet..."// checkbox was checked, the Synchronet Control Panel will be executed automatically.

{{:install:sbbsctrl_splash.png?400|Synchronet for Windows Control Panel Splash screen}}

====== Control Panel ======

The Synchronet Control Panel and [[:monitor:sbbsctrl#wizard|Configuration Wizard]] may automatically launch after installation. 

{{:monitor:scfgwizard.png?300|Synchronet Configuration Wizard}}

See the [[:monitor:sbbsctrl|Synchronet Control Panel]] page for more details and further steps, including [[:config:|configuration]].

====== Windows Services ======

On NT-based operating systems, you can alternatively run Synchronet in the background as a set of Windows Services (a.k.a. NT services). See the [[:monitor:ntsvcs|Synchronet Windows Services]] page for details.

===== Setup ===== 
Now that you've completed the installation, move on to the [[setup|initial setup]] instructions.

===== See Also =====
  * [[:faq:win|Frequently Asked Questions by Synchronet for Windows Sysops]]
  * [[:config:|Configuration]]
  * [[custom:|Customization]] 
  * [[http://synchro.net/download.html|Official Synchronet Download page]]
  * [[:install:|Installation]]

{{tag>install setup windows}}