> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://helpdesk.ggcircuit.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# 🥗 Getting Started with Salad: System Requirements & Setup Guide


Welcome! This guide will walk you through everything you need to get Salad running smoothly in your environment — from operating system and hardware requirements to virtualization and WSL installation. Let's dig in! 🍽️

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## 🖥️ Operating System Requirements

Make sure your systems are running one of the following:

* ✅ **Windows 10** (version 2004+, Build 19041+)
* ✅ **Windows 11**

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## 🧰 Minimum Hardware Requirements

To ensure smooth performance with Salad, your machines should meet the following specs:

* 💾 **Storage**: 50 GB free space
* 🧠 **RAM**: 16 GB minimum (32 GB recommended!)
* 🎮 **GPU**: NVIDIA GPU with at least **8 GB VRAM**
* 🌐 **Bandwidth**: Minimum **10 Mbps** download speed

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## ⚙️ Virtualization Requirements

Salad runs in a containerized environment and **requires virtualization** to be enabled in BIOS.

### 🔍 Check Virtualization Support

1. Reboot your machine and enter BIOS (usually by pressing **Del**, **F2**, or **Esc** on startup).
2. Look for **Intel VT-x** (Intel) or **AMD-V** (AMD).
3. Ensure virtualization is **enabled** ✅
4. Save and exit BIOS.

### 🏷️ Manufacturer-Specific Virtualization Guides

🛠️ Need help? Check these:

* [Does My PC Support Virtualization?](https://support.salad.com/article/282-does-my-pc-support-virtualization)

* [Enable Virtualization on Asus PCs](https://support.salad.com/article/277-enable-virtualization-on-asus-pcs)
* [Enable Virtualization by Motherboard: Gigabyte](https://support.salad.com/article/281-enable-virtualization-by-motherboard-gigabyte)
* [Enable Virtualization on Lenovo PCs](https://support.salad.com/article/275-enable-virtualization-on-lenovo-pcs)
* [Enable Virtualization on HP PCs](https://support.salad.com/article/273-enable-virtualization-on-hp-pcs)
* [Enable Virtualization by Motherboard: MSI (American Megatrends)](https://support.salad.com/article/279-enable-virtualization-by-motherboard-msi-american-megatrends)
* [Enable Virtualization on Acer PCs](https://support.salad.com/article/276-enable-virtualization-on-acer-pcs)
* [How to enable Virtualization Support on your machine](https://support.salad.com/article/270-how-to-enable-virtualization-support-on-your-machine)

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## 🐧 WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) Installation

Salad uses **WSL** to run container workloads on Windows. Here's what you need to know:

### 📌 Important Notes:

* ✅ Windows Updates **must be enabled**
* 🔒 PowerShell must not be blocked (check ggLeap security policies)
* 🔁 A **reboot is required** after installation

### 🧪 What Happens During Salad Install?

1. Salad checks if `wuauserv` (Windows Update service) is running
2. It verifies WSL is installed or up-to-date via `wsl --update`
3. Salad installs WSL if needed
4. Reboot may be required — but console visibility is hidden during install

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### 🧑‍🔧 DIY: Check If WSL Is Installed

1. Open **PowerShell** or **Command Prompt**
2. Run:

```
   wsl -l -v
```

   or

```
   wsl --status
```

If installed, you’ll see your distros and WSL version. If not, you’ll get a “command not found” error.

---

### 🛠️ If WSL is *Not* Installed

1. Open **PowerShell as Administrator** (Right-click Start > PowerShell (Admin))
2. Run:

```
   wsl --install --no-distribution
```
3. Wait for install to complete, then **reboot your machine**

If anything goes wrong — don’t worry! Contact us for help. 💬

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## 🥗 Requesting Salad Availability & Setting Version

To enable Salad at your center and ensure it uses the right version:

### 📩 Step 1: Contact ggCircuit

Ask ggCircuit staff to **enable Salad** for your center.

### 📦 Step 2: Set Machine Version

Request the Salad version to be set to:

```
3.0.1147.0 or higher
```

✅ Confirm this version is active before proceeding to ensure everything runs correctly!

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💬 **Need help?** Reach out to the support team any time — we’re here to make things smooth! 😎

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