Install AI Workbench on Windows
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User Guide (Latest)

Use this documentation to install, update, or uninstall NVIDIA AI Workbench on your computer running Windows. To review important considerations before you start, see Install AI Workbench.

On Windows, AI Workbench uses Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2).

Use this documentation to perform the following tasks:

Prerequisites

  • Windows 11 (version 21H2 build 22000 or higher) or Windows 10 (version 21H2 build 19044 or higher)

  • 1 GB of disk space for the AI Workbench application

  • 30-40 GB of disk space for containers

  • 16 GB of RAM

Warning

Before downloading, please read the NVIDIA AI Product Agreement, the NVIDIA AI Workbench Shared Security Model, and our Data Privacy Policy.

By downloading, installing, or using the NVIDIA AI Workbench software, you agree to the terms of the NVIDIA AI Product Agreement (EULA). If you do not agree to the terms of the EULA, you are not authorized to download, install, or use NVIDIA AI Workbench. Before downloading and using NVIDIA AI Workbench, please read our Shared Security Model.

Install AI Workbench

Use the following procedure to install AI Workbench on your computer running Windows.

  1. If you want to use Docker as your container runtime, install Docker Desktop now. To install Docker Desktop, see Install Docker Desktop on Windows. You can use either Docker or Podman as your runtime; however, we recommend Docker for Windows. If you select Podman, AI Workbench installs it for you. For more information, see Container runtime options.

  2. Download the AI Workbench installer and run it. Authorize Windows to allow the installer to make changes to your computer.

    Warning

    Do not run the AI Workbench installation from an administrator account.

  3. Follow the instructions in the application window that opens.

    • The installer configures WSL and installs the AI Workbench WSL distribution. Authorize the changes and reboot when requested.

    • When your computer restarts, the AI Workbench installer should restart and download the NVIDIA-Workbench distribution.

    • If the AI Workbench Installer doesn’t restart, double-click the AI Workbench icon that appears on your Desktop.

    • If problems occur, see Troubleshoot AI Workbench.

  4. Choose Docker or Podman as your container runtime. For more information, see Container runtime options.

  5. (Optional) Connect AI Workbench to your GitHub or GitLab account. If you skip this step now, you must enter Git Author information when you are prompted. If you skip this step now, you can connect to Git later through the Settings menu. For more information, see Connect to Git.

  6. AI Workbench opens.

Update AI Workbench

Use the following procedure to update AI Workbench on your computer running Windows.

Warning

After you update AI Workbench on your local computer, you must also update any connected remote locations. For details, see Update AI Workbench on a remote computer.


  1. When a new update for AI Workbench is available, the Update Available window appears with details about the new version when you open AI Workbench.

    Tip

    The Update Available window might be behind the AI Workbench window if the AI Workbench window is maximized.

  2. Click Update Now. AI Workbench begins downloading the new files, and the progress appears in the window. After the download completes, the message Restart required appears.

  3. Click Restart Now. AI Workbench reopens automatically.

Uninstall AI Workbench

Use the following procedure to uninstall AI Workbench from your computer running Windows.

  1. Close the AI Workbench application if it is open.

  2. In a Windows command shell, run the following command.

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    wsl -d NVIDIA-Workbench -u root -- /home/workbench/.nvwb/bin/nvwb-cli uninstall --uid 1000 --gid 1000

  3. You are prompted to confirm that you want to uninstall AI Workbench. Type y and press enter.

    Wait for the uninstall to complete before you proceed with the following steps.

  4. Use the Windows Add or remove programs feature. Search for the following application and uninstall it. There might be multiple steps in the uninstall process as dependencies are removed.

    • NVIDIA AI Workbench

  5. (Optional) Remove the following folders from your computer. If you need to unhide the AppData folder, see View hidden files and folders in Windows.

    • C:\Users\<your_user_name>\AppData\Local\nvidia-workbench-updater

    • C:\Users\<your_user_name>\AppData\Local\NVIDIA CorporationWorkbench

Next Steps

Previous Install AI Workbench
Next Install AI Workbench on macOS
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