How do I install the CPU Console client in Windows Vista?

Installing the Folding@home CPU console (CLI) client in Windows Vista is similar to previous versions of Windows, but with a few slight changes due to Vista's higher default levels of security.

Additionally, the Windows Firewall and UAC do not need to be disabled to install and run the SMP client, but be sure to answer each Firewall and UAC prompt to enable the F@h client to run and connect to the internet as needed.


 * Make a new directory C:\Users\%username%\ (where %username% is your login name, and is a folder name of your choice. FAH is commonly used.)


 * Download the CPU console client into the new directory.


 * Right click on the console client executable and select Properties.


 * Select Compatibility.


 * Check the box that says Run this program as an administrator.


 * Click Apply, click OK, and then launch the console executable.


 * Answer the client setup questions as normal.

If you want to install the client in C:\Program Files\, you would need to turn off User Account Control or log in as the Administrator, neither of which are required to run the Folding client, as seen in the above procedure. This is because Windows Vista puts additional security restrictions on files and folders in the C:\Program Files\ directory tree that may interfere with how applications run, including F@h clients.

NOTE: Windows Vista users who installed a F@h client in the C:\Program Files\ may experience a fahcore download error due to the higher default security settings in that OS.

In Windows Vista, the Administrator account is disabled by default. Enabling this account will simplify the client installation process, and will be used in the setup steps below. To enable the Administrator account...

Method 1: Open the Start menu, right-click on Computer and choose Manage. Next, expand Local Users and Groups and select the Users folder. The final step is to right-click on the Administrator login and choose properties. Clear the Account is Disabled checkbox and the Administrator account is enabled.

Method2: Open the Start Menu, type cmd in the search box, and then press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to open cmd with Administrative rights. Type the following in the command prompt and press Enter:

net user administrator /active:yes

To assign a password to the Administrator account, type the following in the same command prompt and press Enter (replace "mypassword" with the desired password):

net user administrator mypassword

Adding a password to the Administrator account is not a requirement when running the SMP client from another user account that has a password. However, adding the password to the Administrator account is a strongly recommended security measure. Do not forget that password.

Note: NOD32 as been found to interfere with the fah client, it causes FILE_IO_ERROR messages, etc. Try disabling NOD32 to see if the client works better.