Installation and Activation

Set up Main, connect your Workstation and activate TeoCast

Install the current SQL-based TeoCast system, connect a separate editing computer, and keep your station records and audio backed up.

Windows 10 / 11 x64 for MainSQL Server on Main onlySeparate Workstation supported

Before installation

Choose the computer that will run Main and on-air playback. A separate Workstation is an editing computer that connects to Main.

Use a supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 x64 computer for Main and SQL Server 2025 Express.
Allow at least 6 GB on the system drive for SQL setup, plus room for downloaded and extracted installers, the station database and audio.
Have an audio output device ready for Main, and a working local network if using a separate Workstation.
Use your normal signed-in Windows account for TeoCast Setup. Be ready to approve administrator prompts when requested.
Keep the TeoCast installer, SQL offline installer and setup instructions available locally when installing without internet.

Prerequisites: SQL Server requires .NET Framework 4.7.2 or newer. The TeoCast installer includes the offline .NET Framework 4.8 prerequisite when needed. See the official Microsoft SQL Server 2025 requirements for supported systems and current requirements.

Install TeoCast

Use the official TeoCast installer. Close the TeoCast applications being updated before starting Setup.

Run Setup as your normal Windows user

Double-click TeoCastInstaller.exe. Do not choose Run as administrator; Setup requests administrator approval for the steps that require it.

Select the computer’s role

Select TeoCast Automation on Main, including its local Workstation. Select TeoCast Workstation on a separate editing computer. For an existing installation, use Update / Repair.

Complete required components and installation

Allow the included .NET Framework 4.8 prerequisite to install if requested. Restart Windows when required, then run TeoCast Setup again and wait for its completion message.

SQL Server is separate: TeoCast Setup does not install or configure the SQL Server engine. Complete the SQL steps below before creating a fresh Main station. A fresh installation does not automatically import an older station or backup.

Install SQL Server on Main

Download SQL Server 2025 Express and its offline setup guide. The complete x64 package can be downloaded once and transferred by USB. A separate Workstation does not need its own SQL Server engine.

Extract and run the SQL installer

Run TeoCast_SQL_Server_Express.exe, extract its files and choose a new stand-alone SQL Server installation. Approve the Windows administrator prompt for SQL setup when requested.

Select the database engine and instance

Select Database Engine Services and use the named instance SQLEXPRESS. For offline setup, leave online update downloads disabled and deselect the Azure extension if offered. TeoCast does not require optional PolyBase, Full-Text Search or Azure services.

Set authentication and the Windows administrator

Choose Mixed Mode (SQL Server and Windows authentication), set a strong SQL administrator password and record it securely. Add the Windows account that will create the TeoCast station as a SQL Server administrator; that account needs SQL sysadmin access.

Finish setup

Complete installation and restart Windows if requested. Sign in with the Windows account added above before creating the TeoCast station.

Existing SQL station: Keep its recorded connection details. Installing an application update does not require creating another database or another fresh station.

Create or connect your station

Open TeoCast Automation on Main. If no station connection is saved, SQL Server Settings opens during startup. You can also open it from Control Panel > System.

Check the SQL connection fields

Main’s Server field is read-only. Enter a database name, a new database username and a strong password. These are the SQL connection details, not your TeoCast sign-in account.

Create a new station, or reconnect to an existing one

For a new station, select Create Fresh Station. Existing database and login names are retained; setup uses new names if needed. For a station already created, enter its recorded details and select Connect and Save.

Record the confirmed details

Save the actual server, database and database username displayed after setup, together with the password you entered. If you change the saved connection while TeoCast is open, restart Main and Workstation.

Create your TeoCast Administrator account

Use Main’s Control Panel to set up your TeoCast Administrator. This account manages protected settings and can create Scheduler accounts. Main’s Operator Mode does not require a sign-in.

Three different credentials: Windows/SQL administrator access creates the station; the SQL database account connects TeoCast to its records; a TeoCast Administrator or Scheduler account authorizes application access. Keep those roles separate when entering credentials.

Connect Workstation to Main

Keep Main running throughout the Workstation session. Main must have licensed Main and Scheduler access, or an active Demo session, to authorize Workstation.

Prepare both network connections

On a separate PC, Workstation needs access to Main’s SQL Server over TCP/IP and to TeoCast’s media/authorization connection. Enable SQL TCP/IP and allow its actual TCP port through Main’s firewall. Main’s installer adds the TeoCast rule for TCP 16453 on the local subnet; that rule does not configure SQL networking.

Enter Main’s SQL station details

In Workstation’s SQL Server Settings, enter Main’s displayed network server address and the same database name, database username and password. Select Connect and Save. Use the real computer name/instance or configured SQL port, for example:

MAIN-PC\SQLEXPRESS
MAIN-PC,PORT

Sign in to TeoCast

Sign in with an enabled TeoCast Administrator or Scheduler account created on Main. Use the TeoCast account password here, rather than the SQL database password.

Local Workstation: On Main’s own computer, use the same Windows user and saved station connection. A local lpc:.\SQLEXPRESS address works only on Main; do not use it on another computer. Current SQL Workstation setup uses the connection fields above, rather than automatic LAN discovery and pairing codes.

If Main becomes unavailable: Workstation access and saving pause after the authorization grace period. Open edits are retained while reconnecting. Restore Main and the network connection before continuing.

Activate TeoCast Automation

Use the license and matching activation file supplied for the Main computer being activated.

Keep the supplied files together

Place the .teocastlicense file and its matching .tcauth file in the same folder. Both must match this computer; copying another computer’s installed license files is not an activation method.

Import the license on Main

Sign in as Administrator, open Control Panel > License / Activation, select Import License File and choose the supplied .teocastlicense file. TeoCast reads the matching activation file alongside it.

Confirm activation

Check that the license screen confirms activation for this computer and shows the expected license details. Keep secure backup copies of both supplied files outside the TeoCast installation folder.

Workstation authorization: Workstation receives its permitted access from Main. A valid Main session and the required Main/Scheduler license features are still needed while Workstation is in use.

Using Demo Mode

Demo Mode lets you evaluate the main workflow before purchasing a license. It has session, content and feature limits.

Session limit

Demo Mode has a limited operating session. Keep Main’s Demo session active when evaluating Workstation.

Library and restore limits

Demo Mode supports a limited number of music and station-content items. A backup containing more items than the Demo limits allow cannot be restored in Demo Mode.

Streaming limit

The evaluation does not provide the full licensed streaming configuration. Check the restrictions displayed in the application.

Audio Processor access

The processor can be evaluated with ACTIVE/BYPASS testing. Preset selection, sound styles, intensity, Save, Reset and Advanced Settings are restricted in Demo Mode.

Demo Mode is intended for evaluation, not permanent unattended or commercial broadcasting.

Where your files are stored

Current SQL stations keep their records in SQL Server. Saved local files, source audio and licenses have separate locations.

Station records

Music-library records, schedules and other station records are held in the connected SQL database. View its server/database under Control Panel > Library / Storage. They are not a current station database inside C:\TeoCast Automation\Data.

Saved local files

Use Library / Storage > Open Saved Folder to open the current saved-files location. HotkeyTemplates and VoiceTracks are beneath this folder.

%LOCALAPPDATA%\TeoCastAutomation\OriginalSql\SavedFiles

Saved SQL connection

The connection profile is protected for the current Windows user. On another user account or PC, enter the connection through SQL Server Settings.

%LOCALAPPDATA%\TeoCastAutomation\OriginalSql\station.profile

Audio files

Audio imported on Main stays at its original location. Workstation uploads use the destination configured on Main for that library. The default for new libraries is normally D:\TeoCast Audio when D: is a fixed drive, otherwise the Windows Public Music folder’s TeoCast Audio subfolder. Check the actual setting in Library / Storage.

License files

Imported license information is stored separately from the station database. Keep the original supplied license/activation pair backed up elsewhere.

C:\TeoCast Automation\License

Application files

Main is installed under C:\TeoCast Automation. The separate Workstation is installed for the current Windows user.

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\TeoCast Scheduler Workstation

Audio paths matter: New Hotkey assignments reference their original audio files. Keep those files available. Moving audio or changing a Windows username can require relinking affected assignments.

Back up and restore

Complete all three backup steps before an update, uninstall or planned migration. Choose a backup destination outside the TeoCast installation and local data folders.

Back up station records and Voice Tracks

Sign in as Administrator on Main. Open Control Panel > Library / Storage > Backup Library. The completed TeoCast_Backup_yyyyMMdd_HHmmss folder contains teo_cast.sqlbackup and the Voice Track catalog/audio.

Copy HotkeyTemplates separately

Open the saved-files folder and copy its entire HotkeyTemplates folder to the backup destination, including template files and any legacy Audio subfolders. Backup Library does not include that folder.

Back up the source audio and activation files

Separately copy ordinary library audio, the original audio referenced by Hotkeys and your supplied license/activation files. Backup Library does not include ordinary library audio.

Restore the selected station: Use Library / Storage > Restore Library and choose a completed backup folder. Restore replaces current SQL station records and creates a safety backup first. The .sqlbackup file is a TeoCast backup format; restore it through TeoCast. Restore HotkeyTemplates and source audio separately, closing TeoCast before replacing local template files and preserving copies already on the target.

Moving to a new PC or a different station: Contact TeoCast support for the migration procedure before replacing records. Do not copy a saved connection profile or SQL Server’s MDF/LDF files as an application migration method. The current Restore Library flow also supports an explicit transfer from a completed original TeoCast SQLite backup; it does not automatically adopt old data during a fresh installation.

Update TeoCast safely

Use the existing installation’s Update / Repair workflow to preserve the current station.

Complete your backup first

While Main is available, complete the station, HotkeyTemplates and source-audio backup steps. Keep the supplied license and activation files in a separate safe location.

Close the applications being updated

Schedule a break in on-air playback before closing Main. Close Main and the local Workstation for a Main update; separate Workstations will lose Main access while it is unavailable.

Run Update / Repair

Double-click the official TeoCast installer as the same normal Windows user and select Update / Repair. Do not uninstall Main or create a fresh station as a routine update step.

Verify the station

Reopen Main and check its connected database, license, library, playlists, Voice Tracks, Hotkeys and audio settings. Reconnect Workstation and confirm its access before returning to normal operation.

Uninstalling Main or Workstation

Finish the backup steps before removing Main. Run the uninstall as the Windows user who installed the application.

Remove Main

Use Windows Apps or TeoCast Automation > Uninstall in Setup. This removes Main and TeoCast local files, settings, saved connections and Hotkey templates. Shared local Workstation settings and caches are also removed. There is no Keep Data option.

What remains after Main removal

SQL databases, SQL accounts and SQL Server Express remain. Audio and exported backups outside the TeoCast installation/data folders remain. The separate Workstation application has its own uninstaller.

Remove Workstation only

Choose TeoCast Workstation in Windows Apps or Setup. Workstation-only removal does not remove Main or its station database and does not stop Main’s on-air playback.

Finish Windows cleanup

Restart Windows if requested. Windows may need a restart to retire the cached Main uninstaller entry.

Common setup problems

Check the relevant connection or file before replacing station data.

Installer does not open

Confirm that the official download completed. Run Setup normally as the intended Windows user and approve its own administrator prompts. Record the exact Windows or installer message if it still fails.

.NET Framework needs a restart

Allow the included .NET Framework 4.8 prerequisite to finish, restart Windows when requested, and run TeoCast Setup again.

Create Fresh Station fails

Confirm that SQL Server’s SQLEXPRESS instance is installed and running with Mixed Mode enabled. Use the Windows account added as a SQL sysadmin during setup. Check the SQL error number shown by TeoCast.

Workstation cannot connect to SQL

Verify Main’s server/database/account details, SQL TCP/IP configuration and the firewall rule for the actual SQL port. A local lpc: address cannot reach Main from a separate PC. If named-instance lookup is unavailable, use the configured computer-name-and-port address.

SQL connects, but Workstation access or audio fails

Keep Main running, check its licensed Main/Scheduler or Demo state, and use an enabled TeoCast Administrator/Scheduler sign-in. Check TeoCast TCP 16453 access; its installer rule is restricted to the local subnet.

License import fails

Keep the correct .teocastlicense and matching .tcauth file together. Both must be issued for this computer. If activation is still rejected, contact support with the exact message.

Station data appears missing

Check the selected server and database in SQL Server Settings and confirm that you are using the intended Windows account. Reconnect with the recorded station details; do not create another fresh station or replace SQL files to troubleshoot.

Security software blocks setup

Verify the official source and completed download, then review the security notification. Share its exact message with support rather than disabling protection as a general setup step.

Continue with Library and Playlists

Learn how to import music and station content, organize categories and build saved playlists.

Next Guide →

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