Install FECForge on Windows

These instructions describe FECForge 1.32.35. If a control is missing, check your role and installed version before continuing.

1. Prepare your account and source information

   Use a Windows administrator account on the always-on server computer. Keep any existing FECForge backup before reinstalling.

1. Use the computer that will stay on at the venue

   This is the FECForge server. Open the FECForge download page on it and select Download for Windows.

2. Open the Downloads folder

   Wait for the ZIP file to finish downloading. Open File Explorer, then choose Downloads on the left.

3. Extract the ZIP

   Right-click the downloaded FECForge ZIP, select Extract All, then select Extract. Windows opens a new folder when it finishes.

4. Run setup as administrator

   Inside the extracted folder, right-click Install FECForge and select Run as administrator. Select Yes when Windows asks whether to allow changes.

5. Wait for “Setup finished successfully”

   Do not close the setup window while it copies files and checks the exact downloaded version. The final window keeps the local and venue-network addresses visible and opens the browser. If the browser does not open, type the displayed http://127.0.0.1:8484 address into it.

6. Keep the installation log if setup stops

   Setup saves C:\Users\Public\Desktop\FECForge-install.log and shows its final diagnostic lines when something fails. Send that file with a support ticket. It identifies the blocked copy, PowerShell, Windows service, firewall, or startup step without storing a license key or password.

1. Create the installation owner

   When the browser opens, enter the owner’s real name, choose a username, and create a private password of at least eight characters.

2. Activate the site or continue with trials

   Enter the purchased site license key when prompted. If you are evaluating FECForge, choose Continue with module trials. A fresh installation never includes a customer email, paid module access, or an activation count.

3. Open Access on other devices

   Use Access on other devices on the sign-in screen or launcher footer, or open Settings → General → Access on other devices. Setup also saves the venue address under Start → FECForge → Server addresses.

4. Connect the other device

   Join the venue’s staff Wi-Fi or wired network. Scan the displayed QR code with a phone or tablet camera, or use Copy address and open that address in the other device’s browser. Each person still signs in with their own account.

5. Save a shortcut

   In Access on other devices, choose Windows or Mac to download a desktop shortcut on that computer. Choose iPad / iPhone or Android for home-screen instructions. These shortcuts open the existing server; they do not install another server.

1. Let Windows start FECForge automatically

   FECForge runs as an Automatic (Delayed Start) Windows service. It starts after a reboot even when nobody signs in to Windows.

2. Let Windows recover from a stopped process

   The installed service is configured to restart automatically if the FECForge server process stops unexpectedly.

3. Keep the permanent folder

   FECForge and its embedded venue data live under C:\ProgramData\FECForge. A later Windows package reuses that location.

4. Set up a separate backup destination

   After signing in, open Settings → Data backups and save recurring copies to a NAS, removable drive, or another protected location.

5. Uninstall the program without erasing venue records

   Choose Uninstall FECForge from the Start menu. You can also use Uninstall FECForge from the current extracted download to recover a damaged or older installation. The service, server process, installed program files, shortcuts, and firewall rule are removed. Only C:\ProgramData\FECForge\server\data is retained to prevent accidental data loss. Close any FECForge browser tab that was already open.

6. Remove a stale browser-installed FECForge icon

   If Windows Search shows a separate FECForge entry with an old icon after the server is removed, right-click that result and choose Uninstall. It is an old Chrome or Edge installed web app, not the FECForge server. Removing it does not erase venue data. After reinstalling, use Start → FECForge → Open FECForge.

7. Reset a test installation when you need a true clean start

   Choose Start → FECForge → Reset FECForge for a clean start. Confirm the warning. FECForge archives the old data under C:\ProgramData\FECForge-Reset-Backups, then returns to owner setup. Do not use this merely to update the software.

1. Open Start → FECForge → Open FECForge.

   The owner setup or your existing sign-in page should appear. Existing venue data should not be replaced by a blank installation.

2. If the result is not what you expected

   If setup fails, keep FECForge-install.log and the ZIP version. Do not delete C:\ProgramData\FECForge or use Reset merely to fix an update.