Computational chemistry and molecular modeling software often comes with a catch: installation requires admin rights, which are typically restricted on institutional machines or shared HPC environments. This can become a significant hurdle—especially for students, researchers in restrictive IT environments, or educators preparing coursework in shared labs.
But here’s a lesser-known advantage of using SAMSON: it does not require administrator privileges to install or run. In fact, SAMSON explicitly checks at startup to make sure it is not running with elevated permissions. This design choice is part of a broader philosophy to keep the platform safe, flexible, and easy to adopt.
Why This Matters
If you’re a molecular modeler working on academic or institutional systems, you likely don’t have the luxury of admin access. Installing or even updating software usually involves submitting a ticket to IT. The waiting time can delay your work by days—or even longer if you’re in a large organization.
SAMSON removes that friction entirely.
How It Works
During installation, SAMSON installs directly into your user home directory. You don’t need to modify system files or request help from your sysadmin. Everything—from the core engine to Extensions downloaded from SAMSON Connect—stays user-local.
Installation Overview
Here’s a brief step-by-step guide to show how admin-free installation works:
- Download the SAMSON installer for your OS (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
- Run the installer as a regular user—not as an administrator.
- During the setup, enter your email and your SAMSON key (which you’ll receive after registration).
- SAMSON will then complete the installation inside your home directory.
Whether you’re using Windows, macOS, or Linux, the setup process adapts accordingly:
- Windows: Installed under
C:/Users/<YourUsername>/OneAngstrom - macOS: Installs under
$HOME/Applications - Linux: Installs in your home directory with launch scripts for terminal or dashboard use
Working on Shared Systems or VMs?
If you’re using a virtual machine or remote server, the guidance is the same—with one minor caveat: make sure GPU acceleration is available if you want to leverage SAMSON’s 3D rendering and simulation features. This is especially important for visualizing large biomolecular systems or for running demanding simulations.
Warning
If you’re running SAMSON in a virtual machine, ensure it has access to hardware GPU acceleration.
Lightweight Setup, Full Power
This simple, frictionless install process means that students can use SAMSON for coursework without needing lab administrator help. It also empowers researchers on restrictive systems to prototype, simulate, or visualize molecular designs on their own schedule.
To learn more, visit the Getting Started with SAMSON documentation page.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON from https://www.samson-connect.net.