Setting Up Stable Diffusion Web UI on Windows - A Beginner's Guide

Introduction

Welcome to our beginner-friendly guide on setting up automatic1111's Stable Diffusion web UI on your Windows computer! This guide is designed for those who are new to using computers and software installations. By the end of this guide, you will have a fully functional AI image generation tool right on your desktop.

Prerequisites

Step-by-Step Instructions

Installing Python 3.10.6 on Windows

Python is a programming language that Stable Diffusion requires to run. Follow these steps to install Python 3.10.6 on your Windows computer:

  1. Visit the Python official website's download page for Windows at Python Windows Downloads.

  2. Scroll down to find "Files" and click on the link to download the "Windows installer (64-bit)".

  3. Once the installer is downloaded, open it to begin the installation process.

    Python Installer

  4. In the installer window, make sure to check the box at the bottom that says "Add Python 3.10 to PATH" before clicking "Install Now."

    Add Python to PATH

  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. You may need to click "Yes" if prompted by Windows to allow the installer to make changes to your computer.

  6. After installation, you can confirm the installation by opening the Command Prompt and typing python --version. You should see Python 3.10.6 displayed if the installation was successful.

Installing Git on Windows

Git is a version control system that is necessary for downloading the Stable Diffusion WebUI files from the internet. Follow these steps to install Git on your Windows computer:

  1. Visit the Git website's download page for Windows at Git Windows Downloads.

  2. The website should automatically suggest the best version for your Windows. Click on the blue text towards the top of the page which says "Click here to download"

  3. Once the installer is downloaded, open it to start the installation process.

    Git Installer

  4. Follow the installation prompts. It's usually safe to accept the default settings, but ensure you choose options that suit your preferences and setup. Click "Next" to proceed through the installer.

  5. During the installation, you will be asked to choose certain options for integration and setup. The default options are typically suitable for most users.

  6. Click "Install" to complete the installation process. You may need to click "Yes" if prompted by Windows to allow the installer to make changes to your computer.

  7. After installation, you can verify the installation by opening the Command Prompt and typing git --version. You should see the installed version of Git displayed if the installation was successful.

Downloading Stable Diffusion WebUI

To use Stable Diffusion, you need to download its WebUI from GitHub. Follow these steps to download and create a shortcut for easy access:

  1. Ensure that Git is installed on your computer (refer to the previous section on installing Git).

  2. Open Command Prompt on your computer. Do this by typing "cmd" in the Windows search bar and pressing Enter.

    Opening Command Prompt

  3. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

    git clone https://github.com/AUTOMATIC1111/stable-diffusion-webui.git

    This command tells Git to download the Stable Diffusion WebUI files to your computer.

  4. Wait for the download to complete. This might take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

  5. Once the download is complete, a new folder named 'stable-diffusion-webui' will be created in your home directory. The home directory is usually the folder with your username, found in 'C:\Users\[YourUsername]'.

  6. To create a shortcut on your desktop for easy access, follow these steps:

    • Navigate to the 'stable-diffusion-webui' folder in your home directory.
    • Right-click on the folder and select 'Send to' > 'Desktop (create shortcut)'.
    • This will create a shortcut on your desktop that links directly to the Stable Diffusion folder.

Runninhg the Stable Diffusion WebUI

To start generating images you must start the WebUI. The WebUI can be easily started by a batch script found in the "stable-diffusion-webui" folder created in the previous step

  1. Open File Explorer. You can do this by clicking on the folder icon on your taskbar, or by pressing the Windows + E keys on your keyboard.

  2. In the File Explorer, go to your 'C:' drive, usually labeled as 'Local Disk (C:)'.

  3. Open the 'Users' folder, then open the folder that matches your username. This is often the name you see when you log into your computer.

  4. Look for a folder named 'stable-diffusion-webui'. If you followed the standard installation process, it should be here.

  5. Double-click on the 'stable-diffusion-webui' folder to open it. Inside, you'll find all the necessary files for Stable Diffusion.

  6. Start the WebUI by running webui-user.bat by Double-clicking the file or Right-clicking the file and selecting open. Ensure the file type is "Windows Batch File".

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully set up the Stable Diffusion web UI on your Windows computer. You can now start creating AI-generated images.

Glossary

WebUI (Web User Interface)
A WebUI is an interface that allows users to interact with software or applications through a web browser, without needing to install complex software locally. It's like a webpage where you can access and use the program's features. For Stable Diffusion, the WebUI is where you create AI-generated images.
Dependency
In software, a dependency is an external piece of software or library required for a program to run. Similar to ingredients in a recipe, a program needs these dependencies to function correctly. For example, Stable Diffusion might require Python or specific libraries to work.
Directory
A directory is a folder on your computer where files are organized and stored. It's like a drawer in a filing cabinet, keeping related documents together. In software setup, navigating to the right directory is often necessary to access or place software files.
Command Prompt
The Command Prompt is a Windows tool that allows you to perform tasks using text commands. It's like giving direct, text-based instructions to your computer. You can use it for various actions, such as installing software, moving files, or running programs like Stable Diffusion Web UI.
Git
Git is a version control system used to manage and track changes in computer files, especially source code for software development. It's like a system that keeps a detailed history of who made what changes and when, allowing multiple people to work on the same files without conflicts. In the context of installing software like Stable Diffusion, Git is used to download (or 'clone') the most current version of the software from an online repository.
Stable Diffusion
Stable Diffusion is an AI model used for generating digital images based on textual descriptions. It's like an artist who can create pictures from your descriptions, but it's a computer program. In this context, you are setting up a web interface to easily use this AI model on your computer through a web browser.