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How to Set Up Stable Diffusion Locally on Windows (Step-by-Step Guide)

Create stunning AI art on your own PC! This guide shows you how to install Stable Diffusion WebUI on Windows for unlimited, high-quality image generation without cloud restrictions.

Tim Dodd

27 Feb 2025 • 4 min read

AI image generation has evolved from an exclusive technology to an accessible creative tool, and now you can harness its full potential right on your personal computer. This comprehensive guide will walk you through installing and configuring Stable Diffusion WebUI locally on Windows, eliminating subscription fees and cloud limitations while giving you complete control over your AI-powered creative process. By following these steps, you'll be generating stunning, personalized visuals in no time. Below are some examples of images I've created recently using this exact setup.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

Windows 11
NVIDIA GPU (Check out the hardware buying guide for compatibility)

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

Windows 11
NVIDIA GPU (Check out the hardware buying guide for compatibility)

Step 1: Download Stable Diffusion WebUI

Go to the Stable Diffusion WebUI GitHub repository:
Stable Diffusion WebUI
Click the green Code button and select Download ZIP, or clone the repository using Git:

git clone https://github.com/AUTOMATIC1111/stable-diffusion-webui.git

Extract the ZIP file to an easily accessible location, such as:

C:\projects\stable-diffusion-webui

Step 2: Download a Model Checkpoint

For better image generation results, download a high-quality model checkpoint:

Go to Dreamlike Diffusion 1.0
Download dreamlike-diffusion-1.0.safetensors
Copy the downloaded file into the following directory:

C:\projects\stable-diffusion-webui\models\Stable-diffusion

Step 3: Install Python 3.10.6

Stable Diffusion requires a specific version of Python:

Download Python 3.10.6 from the official website:
Python 3.10.6 (Windows)
Run the installer and check the option "Add to PATH" before installing.

Step 4: Install CUDA for GPU Acceleration

To take advantage of your NVIDIA GPU, install CUDA tools:

Visit the NVIDIA CUDA Downloads
Download and install the latest CUDA version compatible with your GPU

Step 5: Install Git

Since the WebUI script will pull required dependencies, Git must be installed:

Go to the Git for Windows page
Click Download for Windows
Select 64-bit Git for Windows Setup
Run the installer and follow the setup wizard using default options

Step 6: Run Stable Diffusion WebUI

Run webui-user.bat by double-clicking it.

2. If prompted to run as administrator, allow it to proceed.

3. The script will automatically download required dependencies like PyTorch.

Once setup is complete, the WebUI will launch in your web browser.

Step 7: Generating AI Images

In the WebUI, locate the Checkpoint selector in the top-right corner.
Select dreamlike-diffusion-1.0.
Use the Prompt section to describe what you want to generate. Example:

An epic painting of the Rockies, neon colors, large rocks, ocean, stars

Use the Negative Prompt section to exclude unwanted elements. Example:

humans

5. Adjust the Width and Height settings:

Recommended for this model: 1024 x 768

6. Experiment with other settings like:

Batch Size: Number of images to generate per run
Sampling Methods: Different rendering techniques
CFG Scale: Controls how closely the image follows your prompt

Step 8: Fine-Tuning and Experimentation

Stable Diffusion WebUI has many advanced settings that allow you to:

Generate multiple variations with different styles
Use ControlNet for detailed image control
Apply Upscaling for higher resolution outputs

Play around with the settings to get the best results!

With this setup, you can generate high-quality AI images locally using your NVIDIA GPU. Whether you’re creating digital artwork or just experimenting, AI-generated images offer endless creative possibilities!