Need an Older Version of SAMSON? Here’s How to Install One

Sometimes, sticking with a specific version of a software can be essential — whether for compatibility reasons, validated workflows, or teaching materials built around a particular layout. If you’re working with SAMSON, the integrative molecular design platform, the good news is that you can easily install older versions when needed. 🧪

This blog post walks you through how to access and install a previous version of SAMSON using the same installer as the latest release, a handy feature overlooked by many users.

Why You Might Need an Older Version

Your collaborators are using an earlier version and workflows must be consistent across teams.
You rely on extensions that haven’t yet been updated for the latest release.
You encountered a compatibility issue with your hardware or operating system.

Steps to Install an Older Version

To install an older version of SAMSON, simply follow these steps:

Run the SAMSON installer (you can download it from SAMSON Connect).
In the second step of the installation process, check the box labeled “Install an older version”.

A new panel will appear letting you choose a specific version number. Versions are labeled with internal developer numbers. For example, version 2.0.2 corresponds to the 2021 release.

If you’re unsure which internal version number matches the version you’re looking for, consult the User Guides for other SAMSON versions.

What if You Have Multiple Versions Installed?

You can run a different version than your default installation. Depending on your operating system, use the following paths:

Windows

C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/9.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe

1	C:/Users/%USERNAME%/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/9.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.exe

macOS

$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/

1	$HOME/Applications/SAMSON.app/

Linux

$HOME/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/9.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.sh

1	$HOME/OneAngstrom/SAMSON-Application/9.0.0/Binaries/SAMSON-Core.sh

This flexibility means you can experiment with new releases without disrupting your workflow on a stable version.

Good to Know

While older versions can be helpful, keep in mind that SAMSON Extensions are updated only for the latest version of SAMSON. So, if you rely heavily on extensions, it’s a good idea to verify their compatibility before downgrading.

Maintaining multiple environments with different versions is a common practice in computational molecular science, and SAMSON makes this process straightforward.

To learn more, visit the official SAMSON FAQ page.

SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. Get started at https://www.samson-connect.net.