Installation

ArcadeStudio uses two Windows installers: one for the workshop and one for the cabinet runtime.

Development status

This describes the installer behavior in the current development build. A public installer download is not available yet.

Choose what to install

Setup file	Installs	Default folder
ArcadeStudio-Setup.exe	The ArcadeStudio workshop	%LocalAppData%\Programs\ArcadeStudio
ArcadeServer-Setup.exe	The cabinet runtime and control panel	%LocalAppData%\Programs\ArcadeServer

Studio and Server can run on the same Windows PC. They can also be separated, with Studio on a workshop PC and Server on the cabinet.

Install ArcadeStudio

1. Run ArcadeStudio-Setup.exe.
2. Read the End User License Agreement, third-party notices, and privacy policy.
3. Accept all three documents to continue.
4. Choose whether to create a desktop shortcut and open Studio when setup finishes.
5. Select Install.

Setup installs for the current Windows account and does not request administrator access. It always creates a Start menu shortcut.

Install ArcadeServer

1. Run ArcadeServer-Setup.exe on the cabinet PC.
2. Review and accept the same three legal documents.
3. Choose the startup options for this cabinet:
   • Start when Windows starts launches ArcadeServer after this account signs in.
   • Start without the control panel (background) starts the host with a tray icon instead of opening the panel.
   • Create a desktop shortcut adds a direct way to open the control panel.
4. Leave Install virtual Xbox driver selected on a new cabinet that will use Virtual Xbox controller routes.
5. Select Install.

The ArcadeServer app is installed per user without administrator access. The optional ViGEmBus driver installer can trigger a Windows administrator prompt, and Windows may require a restart before emulators see the virtual controllers.

Skip ViGEmBus only when it is already installed or the cabinet will not use Virtual Xbox. Setup does not install HidHide.

Program files and working data

The installers keep applications separate from cabinet data:

Location	Contents
%LocalAppData%\Programs\ArcadeStudio	ArcadeStudio program files and accepted legal documents
%LocalAppData%\Programs\ArcadeServer	ArcadeServer program files and accepted legal documents
%LocalAppData%\ArcadeStudio	Catalogs, packs, license, pairing, and other working data

Updating the application does not require moving the working data.

Update or uninstall

Run a newer setup file to update the matching application. Windows also lists ArcadeStudio and ArcadeServer under Settings → Apps.

Uninstall removes the selected program, its shortcuts, and its per-user startup entry. It leaves %LocalAppData%\ArcadeStudio in place, so catalogs and cabinet work are not deleted. Removing ArcadeServer also leaves ViGEmBus installed.

Continue with Getting started.