How to Install ComfyUI Desktop on Windows
Install ComfyUI Desktop on Windows — the easiest way to get started.
ComfyUI Desktop is the official one-click installer. It bundles Python, manages dependencies, and handles updates automatically. This is the recommended method for most users.
Important tradeoff
ComfyUI Desktop is optimized for getting started. It is not always the best tool once plugins, dependency drift, and recovery become the real problem. If your environment keeps breaking after custom nodes, Wonderful Launcher is designed for that second phase.
NVIDIA GPU Required
ComfyUI Desktop on Windows only supports NVIDIA GPUs with CUDA. If you have an AMD or Intel GPU, use the Portable Package or Manual Install instead.
Do NOT run as Administrator
Do not right-click → "Run as administrator" to install or launch ComfyUI. Running as admin causes Python package permission conflicts and can break your installation. Use a normal user account.
Step 1: Download
Download the installer from the official ComfyUI website:
comfy.org/download → Click "Download for Windows (NVIDIA)"
The download is a standard .exe installer, around 100 MB. The first launch will download additional dependencies (~15 GB).
Step 2: Install
- Double-click the downloaded
.exefile - Follow the Windows installer prompts
- A ComfyUI shortcut will be created on your desktop
Step 3: First Launch Setup
Double-click the desktop shortcut to start ComfyUI. The first launch opens a setup wizard:
1. Welcome Screen
Click "Get Started" to begin.
2. GPU Selection
Select NVIDIA (should be auto-detected). Click Next.
3. Installation Location
Choose where to store the Python environment, models, and custom nodes.
Tip
Pick a drive with at least 50 GB of free space. An SSD is strongly recommended for faster model loading. See System Requirements for full hardware recommendations.
4. Migration (Optional)
If you already have a ComfyUI installation (portable or manual), you can import your existing:
- Models and checkpoints
- Custom nodes
- Workflows and settings
First-time users: Leave this blank and click Next.
5. Desktop App Settings
Configure:
- Automatic updates — keep this enabled
- Usage metrics — optional, anonymous analytics
- Mirror settings — if you're in China or have slow connections, select an alternative mirror
A green checkmark next to the mirror URL means the connection is working. If you see a red X, try a different mirror.
6. Installation Complete
The setup wizard will download and configure Python and all dependencies. This may take 5-15 minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once done, ComfyUI launches automatically and you'll see the node editor interface.
Updating
ComfyUI Desktop checks for updates automatically on startup. You can also check manually via the app menu.
Uninstalling
Uninstall via Windows Settings → Apps → ComfyUI. Note that this removes the app but may leave your models and custom nodes in the installation directory. Delete those manually if you want a clean removal.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Installer blocked by antivirus | Add an exception for the ComfyUI installer in your antivirus settings |
| "Unsupported device" error | Your GPU may not support CUDA. Check GPU Compatibility or try the Portable Package with --cpu flag |
| Mirror connection fails (red X) | Try a different mirror, or check your firewall/proxy settings |
| Setup stuck on "Installing Python" | Check your internet connection. The download is ~15 GB |
| App won't start after install | Check the error log in the terminal window. See Common Issues |
File Locations
After installation, your files are organized as:
[Your Install Directory]/
├── python/ # Bundled Python (do NOT modify)
├── ComfyUI/
│ ├── models/ # Your AI models go here
│ │ ├── checkpoints/ # Main model files
│ │ ├── loras/ # LoRA files
│ │ ├── vae/ # VAE files
│ │ └── ...
│ ├── custom_nodes/ # Community plugins
│ ├── input/ # Input images
│ └── output/ # Generated images
└── resources/ # App internals (do NOT modify)Important
Never modify files in the python/ or resources/ directories. Only work with files in the ComfyUI/ folder.
Next Steps
Source References
Start with Wonderful Launcher if this issue touches your real ComfyUI environment. Use the docs to understand the fix, and use the app to inspect the machine you already have.
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