Getting Started with SAVE v1.2.x on Windows

This guide assumes you have successfully downloaded the most recent version of SAVE.Core.MainTool-1.2.x from SAVE's Official Webpage using your Patreon account, onto your Windows, OSX, or Linux computer. At the moment we provide no official support or guidance for users on Linux distros other than Debian or Ubuntu.

Make sure you have downloaded the correct file for your system! All supported desktop platforms include releases for both x64 and arm64 systems, except for Windows which only supports x64 at the moment. Follow the steps below in order to start using SAVE v1.2.x on Windows 10 or 11:

Step 1: Extract the ZIP archive file to a permanent directory

This step is effectively self explanatory; However we stress that users should extract their copy of SAVE v1.2.x to a permanent directory OUTSIDE of the Downloads folder. Instead, use a directory such as My Documents\Chosen Few Software\SAVE-1.2.x.

Step 2: Register your copy of SAVE with Chosen Few Software

Before you can use any copy of SAVE, you must register the product using a valid license key. In order to register your copy of SAVE with our servers, copy your license key to the clipboard from the My CFS Benefits page, and follow these sub-steps:

  1. Open PowerShell (without administrator privileges) inside of the directory you created in Step 1. To do this, right click inside the SAVE folder and click "Open in Terminal"

  2. Run this command: .\SAVE.Core.MainTool.exe <your license key here>. Of course, you should substitute <your license key here> with the text you copied in the previous sub-step. DO NOT INCLUDE THE ANGLE BRACKETS (<>) IN THE COMMAND!! Once you have finished typing the command, hit the Enter key.

  3. If you receive an error when attempting to run this command, try the troubleshooting steps written below.

  4. Close this PowerShell window, then open another one in the same directory as the first (this time with administrator privileges).

Troubleshooting Step 2.2:

  1. Run this command in PowerShell: New-Item "$env:APPDATA\Chosen Few Software\SAVE.Core.MainTool-1.2.x" -ItemType Directory

  2. Find your permanent installation directory from Step 1 in Windows Explorer and right click the file named SAVE.Core.MainTool.exe. Afterwards, click on "Properties" and find the checkbox labeled "Unblock". Make sure this option is enabled, then click OK to save your changes. Then try to run the command again.

For more information about your license key, how long it is valid, and when it can be revoked, see Benefits.

Step 3: Download FFmpeg 6.1 (Automatic)

Using the PowerShell window you opened in Step 2.4, run the following command: .\get-ffmpeg.ps1. If you receive an error when attempting to run this command, try these troubleshooting steps:

  1. Run this command at the elevated prompt: Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope Process
  2. Find your permanent installation directory from Step 1 in Windows Explorer and right click the file named get-ffmpeg.ps1. Afterwards, click on "Properties" and find the checkbox labeled "Unblock". Make sure this option is enabled, then click OK to save your changes. Then try to run the command again.

If the command starts to run, it should automatically fetch the correct version of FFmpeg built for Windows under the GPL software license, extract it, and place it in the correct directory for SAVE to function properly. After the PowerShell window finishes execution and returns to the prompt, keep it open and move onto the final step in this guide.

Step 4: Checking your work

Finally, in the PowerShell window, run the command: .\SAVE.Core.MainTool.exe -h. If all of the above steps were completed correctly, you should see basic documentation on how to use the tool display on your screen.

HELP! I'm stuck!!

Please see our latest SAVE v1.x for Windows tutorial video for a step by step guide on how to install SAVE!

Next steps

Proceed to check out Key Concepts and Complete List of SAVE v1.x Modules.