> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark-6/system-requirements-and-install/advanced-installation.md). # Advanced Installation Options For some users, you may want setup your computer to run Spikemark **on startup** or **all the time**, rather than manually launching Spikemark. {% hint style="warning" %} [**Always On Spikemark**](#always-on) is an advanced option that will make system-wide changes to your PC, and should only be considered for dedicated devices. Some systems will come with this setup as a default - for example, if your only point of control is the [Spikemark Vantis Pendant](/docs/showstopper/spikemark-vantis/1-getting-started.md). {% endhint %} ## Launch on Startup To automatically add Spikemark to the list of Startup Apps, select the Advanced Installation -> Launch on Startup in the installer. This will launch Spikemark whenever you login to Windows. ![Select Advanced Installation for the Installation Type](/files/aBByP7nQRHPeSBtUmaXD) ![Select Launch on Startup as the Advanced Option](/files/hnmF6DAGTf0QFt0NDEcH) After installation, you should see Spikemark listed in Task Manager -> Startup Apps. ![Spikemark enabled as a Startup App](/files/4IucboU4SGCzG9e7OzSG) ## Always On **The advanced Always On installation is not recommended for most users.** This will create a dedicated Spikemark Windows user on your machine that will automatically login when the PC starts up. The Spikemark application will automatically start-up upon login. If the Spikemark application crashes or is closed, it will restart **within 1 minute**. To install with the Always On configuration, follow the steps in [Spikemark Installation](/docs/spikemark-6/system-requirements-and-install.md) but select Advanced Installation -> Always On. ![Screenshot of installation types](/files/aBByP7nQRHPeSBtUmaXD) ![Screenshot of Advanced Start Options](/files/6G3kuAHJbtk5IzoHYpcM) Once installed, make sure to restart the computer. ![Screenshot of the restart computer prompt](/files/fr6ERcRYYiPjkGHWIULh) Upon restart, you should be automatically logged into the newly created user and Spikemark should open up. You're in! {% hint style="warning" %} When you log into the new Spikemark user for the first time, re-install Spikemark to ensure that all files, such as firmware updates, are accessible to the new user. This step does not need to be repeated after the first installation. {% endhint %} When updating Spikemark, you can update directly from the created Spikemark user - just make sure to select the 'Always On' option in the installer when updating. If you ever need to log out and back into the Spikemark account, the password is **MakeItMove**. What can we say, we're predictable. ### Uninstalling and Clean-up: Always On If you'd like to uninstall or return to the Standard Installation at any point after you've setup Always On, follow the instructions below to avoid losing any work. 1. Back-up any files you've created on the Spikemark user. This includes show files and exported stagehands. 2. Log-out of the Spikemark Windows user. 3. Log-in to a different Windows user on your computer. Admin account is required. 4. Uninstall the Spikemark application. * If you would like to reinstall Spikemark using the Standard Installation, you can uninstall by simply running the Installer and proceeding with the uninstall option first. * If you would like to permanently uninstall Spikemark, go to Control Panel->Add or Remove Programs. 5. If reinstalling Spikemark with a different installation type, go through the standard [Installation Process](/docs/spikemark-6/system-requirements-and-install.md). 6. If you would like to remove the Spikemark user from your PC, go to Settings -> Accounts -> Other Users. Select 'Spikemark' and click 'Remove'. ![Screenshot of the Remove option for the Spikemark user](/files/6ND1molgyBPPaUw9W2dY) {% hint style="info" %} Removing the Spikemark user from Windows will delete any files that you created on that account. That includes show files made while using Always On Spikemark. **Make sure you back up files before removing the account!** If you are using [Authorization](/docs/spikemark-6/auth/auth-overview.md) within Spikemark, the users and roles will not carry between Windows accounts. If you are switching from Always On to Standard Installation and need to bring your in-app users and roles to a different Windows account, reach out to and we'll help ya out. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.creativeconners.com/docs/spikemark-6/system-requirements-and-install/advanced-installation.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.