ESRGAN Installation Guide for Windows

Please make sure that you have the latest driver version if you use a Nvidia GPU. Both the Studio and CUDA drivers are recommended. The CUDA driver on only gets updated when CUDA itself gets updated, but will be compatible with the CUDA version.

Also make sure that you have no existing Python installation(s) if you want to follow this guide (especially older Python versions)

Only Python 3.8.x is currently supported. Also only the Python installation as instructed below is supported.

No knowledge of Python or coding is necessary to follow this guide.

Support is here if you have problems. Make sure that you followed the instructions to the letter.

This guide will help you to install ESRGAN on Windows, by showing you step by step with images how to do it.

Our goal is to open up A.I. upscaling to everyone, not just to those who can pay lots of money or are good at coding.

Installing ESRGAN

Text / Picture Guide

Installing Python 3.8

1. Get the latest stable 64-bit Python 3.8.x release here: Python Download. At the time of writing this is Python 3.8.3.

   

2. Run the installer and make sure that Add Python 3.*x* to Path and Install launcher for all users (recommended) is selected, then click on Customize installation.

   

3. Make sure that every Option is selected and click on next.

   

4. Mirror my selections and click on install (Make sure that the install location contains no spaces).

   

Installing git (+ Bash)

1. Get the latest stable 64-bit Git release here: Git Download.
2. Run the installer and select the options as you want, the defaults are fine. I recommend to check the Launch Git Bash Explorer Integration. Also set your default editor to whatever editor is used (Unless you use the git command to commit, this setting is irrelevant for you).

Installing Python Modules required by ESRGAN

1. Launch a Git Bash Shell as an administrator (right-click it in the start menu to get that option).
   • If you have a Nvidia graphic card copy the following command and paste it in Git Bash and press enter:

     pip install torch===1.5.1 torchvision===0.6.1 -f https://download.pytorch.org/whl/torch_stable.html

   • If you have an AMD / Intel graphic card copy the following command and paste it in Git Bash and press enter:

     pip install torch==1.5.1+cpu torchvision==0.6.1+cpu -f https://download.pytorch.org/whl/torch_stable.html

   • If the command won’t work for you, please report it. In the meantime, you can get an up to date version on the Pytorch Website. Select Stable, Windows, Pip, your Python version and your CUDA version (should be the newest) or None for AMD / Intel users.
2. Now we install the other requirements for running and training ESRGAN and SFTGAN. Paste and press enter:

   pip install opencv-python

Cloning ESRGAN into a folder of your choice

1. Choose a folder where you want to install ESRGAN. Because of the maximum path length limitation in windows, I recommend something as short as possible like: C:\nn\esrgan\
   1. Create a folder called nn (Try to avoid spaces and always use short paths especially on Windows on other operating systems the path length at least is irrelevant)
   2. In the nn folder right click and select Git Bash Here.
2. Clone ESRGAN by pasting the following command

   git clone https://github.com/BlueAmulet/ESRGAN.git

Video Guide

Princess Potato recorded the process of installing ESRGAN and IEU in a video for all of you to enjoy. Seeing someone do it and talk about the process might help a lot of people to install not just ESRGAN, but also IEU You will find the video on YouTube here by clicking on this link.

Usage

How to actually use ESRGAN (IEU for example), other useful information and important links are here.