---
title: How to Install SMF Simplemachine Forum via Softaculous in cPanel
description: "Softaculous helps you install web applications very easy. Please, follow the steps below to install SMF Simplemachine Forum. **1**. Log in to your cPanel account. **2.** In the **Software** section, click on **Softaculous Apps Installer**. ![](/img/softaculous-icon.gif) **3.** cPanel will redirect…"
url: "https://www.aeserver.com/support/how-to-install-smf-simplemachine-forum-via-softaculous-in-cpanel/"
updated: "2025-01-05"
category: cPanel Control Panel
---

# How to Install SMF Simplemachine Forum via Softaculous in cPanel

Softaculous helps you install web applications very easy. Please, follow the steps below to install SMF Simplemachine Forum.

**1**. Log in to your cPanel account.

**2.** In the **Software** section, click on **Softaculous Apps Installer**.
![](/img/softaculous-icon.gif)
**3.** cPanel will redirect you to the Softaculous interface.

**4.** On the left side, locate the **Forums** category. Click on it and then on the **SMF** link that appears.
![](/img/smf-softaculous.gif)

**5.** Click on **Install**.
![](/img/smf-install-button.gif)

**6.** Fill in the necessary fields under the **Software Setup** fields:

- **Choose Installation URL:** Choose the appropriate protocol/domain. Inside the "**In Directory**" field, should you want to install this in a directory, i.e., example.com/directory, enter the directory name. Otherwise, please, leave it blank to install in your main domain, i.e., example.com.
- **Choose the version you want to install:** You can leave this as it is.

![](/img/softaculous-default-install-screen.gif)

**7.** Under the **Board Settings** field, enter the following information:

- **Board Name:** Name of the forum.
- **Visual verification image to display:** Select the appropriate option as per your preference.
- **Board E-mail:** The e-mail address of the forum.

**8.** Under the **Admin Account** field, enter the following information:

- **Admin Username:** Your new phpBB username (for security reasons, do not use the **administrator** or the **admin** username).
- **Admin Password:** Use a strong password.
- **Real Name:** Leave this as it is or enter your real name.
- **Admin Email:** Your email address. It is helpful for admin account password reset, notification, etc.

![](/img/smf-install-screen.gif)
**Note:** Copy the admin username and password to Notepad. You will need those to access the admin area of your SimpleMachine(SMF) forum later.

**9. Choose Language:**You can choose the language of your SMF forum. The default language of SMF forum is English.

**![](/img/softaculous-choose-language.gif)**

**10.** **Advanced Options:**Leave this unless you want to change the database name or take an automated backup. Please, note that creating frequent backups may take a lot of disk space.

Finally, scroll down to the end of the page and click on Install.
![](/img/softaculous-install-button.gif)