For many molecular modelers working in academic or corporate environments, the ability to install software without administrator rights isn’t just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re using a restricted machine or working remotely where IT support is limited, not having to request admin access can save time and help you stay focused on modeling molecular systems, not troubleshooting installations.
SAMSON, the platform for adaptive modeling and simulation of nanosystems, recognizes this need. In fact, one of its most practical features is its user-friendly installation process that doesn’t require administrator rights at all.
What Makes This Useful?
The need for admin rights often blocks access to powerful modeling tools. SAMSON’s installer is designed with portability and user autonomy in mind. This means users can install the software in their home directory, on shared lab computers, or on temporary systems without needing IT to intervene.
How It Works
SAMSON installs in your user space—specifically in your home directory—and explicitly checks that it is not being run in administrative mode. This is both a security and usability decision: it prevents unnecessary permissions and promotes best practices for secure software usage.
Here’s how to get started:
- Visit SAMSON Connect Download Page.
- Sign in or create a free account.
- Download the platform-specific installer.
- During installation, you’ll be asked for your registered email and SAMSON key, which you’ll find in your SAMSON account settings.
Platform Support
SAMSON 2025 R3 is available on:
- Windows 11 and 10 🪟
- Linux distributions like Ubuntu 22.04+, Fedora 42+, and CentOS 🐧
- macOS 12+ (including support for ARM & Intel chips) 🍎
System Requirements
- 64-bit OS is required
- Graphics card with OpenGL 4.1 support
For NVIDIA and AMD cards, ensure that suitable drivers are installed. If you’re running SAMSON inside a virtual machine, enable hardware GPU acceleration.
Special Notes for Linux Users
You might need to install additional system libraries depending on your distribution. For example, on Ubuntu:
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sudo apt install libxcb-cursor0 libatomic1 |
On CentOS-like systems:
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sudo dnf install xcb-util* |
Refer to the OpenGL troubleshooting guide if you encounter rendering issues.
Start Without Admin Access
Once the installer runs, you’re all set. No elevated permissions are needed. For Linux users, remember to make your downloaded file executable:
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chmod +x ./SAMSON-Setup.run QT_QPA_PLATFORM=xcb ./SAMSON-Setup.run |
If you’re using an Intel graphics card, a warning may appear during installation. In most cases, especially if you have a secondary GPU, the installation can proceed normally.
After installation, SAMSON will download default extensions automatically. Additional extensions can be selected later through the SAMSON Connect Marketplace.
Conclusion
Being able to install a powerful molecular design platform like SAMSON without needing admin rights opens up new possibilities for scientific computing in shared and constrained environments. It reduces dependency on IT systems and eliminates delays around software testing, setup, and collaboration.
To explore more about starting SAMSON and extending its capabilities, visit the official Getting Started guide.
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can download SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.