Giocoso on Windows - Distilled

Here are the instructions on getting Giocoso running on Windows 10, distilled into their most concise form. All you get are the instructions on what to type and what to do: no screenshots, no explanations -and if there's a sequence of actions that happen as a result of typing in something, you're supposed to know how to work through those by yourself! Note that the instructions are specific to Windows 10, because you do not need to install separate X or PulseAudio servers on Windows 11. Giocoso-on-Windows-11 therefore has its own installation guide entirely.

If you want or need the long-form version that does take the time to describe things carefully, step-by-step and with pictures and explanations, click here.

If you are to type in something at an ordinary Windows command prompt, it will be preceded by a 'W'. A "W*" will be used to indicate something that has to be typed into a Windows command prompt running with administrative privileges. If you are to type it into a Linux command prompt, it will be preceded by an 'L'.


W*. wsl --install (followed by a PC reboot, and the installation of Ubuntu/Linux)
L. sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
L. sudo apt install pulseaudio
W. Install vcxsrv and allow it through the Windows Firewall. Save the settings when prompted to an config.xlaunch file. Move the config.xlaunch file to:

%HOME%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

L. nano $HOME/.bashrc. Append the following text:

export HOST_IP="$(ip route | awk '/^default/{print $3}')"
export DISPLAY=$(route.exe print | grep 0.0.0.0 | head -1 | awk '{print $4}'):0.0
export PULSE_SERVER="tcp:$HOST_IP"

L. source $HOME/.bashrc
W. Download PulseAudio for Windows, extract (requires 7-zip), rename to 'pulse', and move folder to root of c: drive
W. Create config.pa text file within the c:\pulse folder and paste this text into it:

load-module module-native-protocol-tcp auth-anonymous=1
load-module module-esound-protocol-tcp auth-anonymous=1
load-module module-waveout sink_name=output source_name=input record=0

W. Run this command to launch the PulseAudio server and trigger a prompt to allow it through the Windows Firewall:

c:\pulse\pulseaudio.exe -F c:\pulse\config.pa --exit-idle-time=-1

You can kill the running pulseaudio.exe command and associated command prompt window once the Firewall permissions have been set.

W*. Download NSSM from this website, extract it and copy the 64-bit nssm.exe to the c:\pulse folder containing the PulseAudio Server software, and type the command:

nssm.exe install PulseAudio

Create the PulseAudio service by filling in the NSSM fields appropriately:

Path = c:\pulse\pulseaudio.exe
Startup Directory = c:\pulse
Arguments = -F c:\pulse\config.pa --exit-idle-time=-1

Display Name = PulseAudio
Startup Type = Automatic

Manually start the PulseAudio service in the Task Manager/Services tab.

L. Install Giocoso by running the commands:

cd && wget https://absolutelybaching.com/abc_installer
bash abc_installer --giocoso

L. Run Giocoso with the command:

giocoso --dbname=none

L. Run the command given by Giocoso to install required software prerequisites (if any).

W. Install the Dejavu Sans Mono font to improve appearance and apply it to the Defaults and Properties of the Linux terminal window.

Giocoso can then be re-run with the same command as before in any folder containing FLAC music files and the sound and album art will appear on your Windows PC.


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