Helix Core is now P4. Product user interfaces will be updated soon. Learn more >>

P4 Visual Client (P4V) Documentation | 2026.1

# Install P4V on Windows

Before installing P4V on Windows, review the following information to understand requirements and limitations, and how to run the installer.

## Before you install

Review the following requirements, limitations, and changes that may affect P4V installation and usage.

- When installing a P4 distributed versioning control system (DVCS) using P4V on Windows, the installer cannot create a local P4 Server (P4D) if an existing P4 Server is already installed on the same machine. This restriction is intentional, because running multiple P4 Server instances on Windows can cause conflicts and is considered unsafe.

  This limitation does not affect normal use of P4V. You can install and run P4V on the same machine as the P4 Server and still allow other users to connect to that server without any issues.

- The Windows installer for P4V may also install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables. If it does, you may have to restart your system.

- The Instructions for automated (silent) installations changed starting with P4V 2020.1 because the installer is now built using the Wix Burn engine. To learn more, see the Perforce Knowledge Base article, Automated Deployment of Helix Visual Client (P4V) 2020.1 and later versions.

- Starting with the 2019.2 release, P4V began using the QtWebEngine framework to support the P4VJS feature. Because of this change, P4V now requires a graphics driver that supports OpenGL 2.1 or later. Although Windows 10 includes a default driver that only supports OpenGL 1.1, most modern graphics cards provide drivers that meet the OpenGL 2.1 (or higher) requirement.

  If you encounter issues launching P4V from a Remote Desktop (RDP) session, see the Perforce Knowledge Base article, Issue starting P4V through Remote Desktop (RDP).

## Install P4V

1. Double-click the downloaded .exe file to start the installer.

2. On the Select Applications screen, make sure all applications are selected.

   To install P4V in a different location, click Change and select an appropriate directory.

3. Click Next.

4. On the Client Configuration screen, enter:

- Server: The P4 Server address provided by your administrator.

- User Name: Your user name.

- Text Editing Application: Accept the default or click Browse to select another editor.

5. Click Next.

6. Click Install on the Ready to install screen. Click Yes if prompted to allow changes.

7. When installation is complete, the Start P4V check box is selected by default. Click Exit to automatically open P4V.

Your search for returned results