Installation

Installation is automatic. Select Open when downloading a ".msi" file from this website, or double-click it after downloading. (Any method that causes the ".msi" file to be opened by Windows Installer will work.) Administrator privileges are required.

After installing, programs will appear in the Bridge Club Utilities folder of the Start menu.

Getting Started

Whenever you start BridgeComposer from the Bridge Club Utilities folder of the Start menu, a window will open containing an empty, untitled document (see image at left). From this window, you may use menu commands:  use "Board→New" to enter a new board; use "File→Open" to open an existing bridge file (PBN, LIN, BRI, DUP, or DLM format); use "Tools→Generate Random Boards" to generate random boards; use "Help→Help Topics" for complete documentation.  See also the Tutorials page and the Gallery page on this website for additional information.

Installation Notes

• Administrator privileges are required to install and uninstall.
   
• Your anti-virus protection should be temporarily disabled during installation.
  
  Several anti-virus vendors recently (as of November, 2016) have added a new "heuristic" virus detection that reports a false positive during BridgeComposer installation. This causes the installation to fail. BridgeComposer does not in fact contain any virus or other malware.
   
• Download or install difficulties? Try BCInstaller.
  1. Run BCInstaller and choose the "BC Website" tab.
  2. Select the current release of BridgeComposer.
  3. Click the "Download & Install" button.
  4. If problems persist, you may send the BCInstaller log file to support@bridgecomposer.com.
      
• CPU Compatibility: If you have a very old computer, see the note at the bottom of the Archive page.
   
• The programs on this website are Windows 32-bit applications that run fine on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows (but not Windows RT). BridgeComposer includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of its PBN search filter and the correct version for your OS is automatically installed.
  As of August, 2020, a complete 64-bit build of BridgeComposer is also available. This build is functionally identical to the 32-bit build, but may be faster when performing some operations. Of course, this build can only be installed on 64-bit computers.
   
• These programs are distributed as ".msi" (Windows Installer) files. You must have the Windows Installer already installed on your computer in order to install the files downloaded from this website. Most computers will have Windows Installer already installed as a result of previous software installs. In any event, the current version of Windows Installer is available for download from www.microsoft.com.
   
• To uninstall, choose any one of the following methods:
   
  • Use the BridgeComposer Help→License menu command and click the Uninstall button.
  • Or, use the Windows Programs and Features control panel (known as Add/Remove Programs on Windows XP).
  • Or, on Windows 10 or later, use Start → Settings → Apps → Apps & features.
  • Or, use BCInstaller.
     

Upgrade and Uninstall Problems

If you have difficulty upgrading to a new version of BridgeComposer, or with uninstalling, then your current installation may be damaged.

For example, Windows Installer files pertaining to your current BridgeComposer installation may have been quarantined by your anti-virus (due to an erroneous false positive).

If you receive the above message ("The feature you are trying to use is on a network resource that is unavailable"), it is looking for the installation package for your current version (5-58 as shown in this example). Note this version and click "Cancel".

We suggest you proceed as follows:

We recommend that you temporarily disable your anti-virus during all install, upgrade, uninstall, and repair operations.

1. Disable your anti-virus.
2. Download the .msi file for your current version (from the Archive page or using BCInstaller "BC Website" tab).
3. Run this .msi and you will be asked whether to repair or remove: choose "Repair".
4. Retry the upgrade or uninstall.
5. Reenable your anti-virus.

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DISCLAIMER: Software from this site is provided "as is". In no event shall the author be liable to you or any third party for any damages of any kind arising out of or relating to the software or the use thereof.