Windows

BOINC can be installed on Windows in any of several modes:

• Single-user installation This is the recommended mode. BOINC will run while you (the installing user) are logged in. BOINC is listed in the Start menu of you, but not other users. The 'Show graphics' command in the BOINC manager works only for you. The BOINC screensaver shows application graphics only for you (other users can run the screensaver but will see textual information only).
• Shared installation BOINC runs whenever any user is logged in. BOINC is listed in the Start menu of all users. While BOINC is running, it runs as a particular user (either the first user to log in, or the first to run BOINC). The '"Show graphics" command in the BOINC manager works only for this user. The BOINC screensaver shows application graphics only for this user (other users can run the screensaver but will see textual information only).
• Service installation (In release 6 called "Safe" or "Protected Application Execution") BOINC runs all the time (even when no one is logged in). BOINC is listed in the Start menu of the installing user, but not other users. The 'Show graphics' command in the BOINC manager will not work for any user. The BOINC screensaver will only show textual information.

To run BOINC invisibly, choose the Service installation, then delete the BOINC shortcut from the Start/Programs/BOINC and Start/Programs/Startup menus (locate BOINC in each menu, right-click, select Delete). You can still run the BOINC Manager by going to C:\Program Files\BOINC and double-clicking on boincmgr.exe