Hello

Intro

If these are your first hours with SuperMemo 18, this page includes some startup information that you might find useful.

Purchase

• your order is entirely electronic, i.e. you will not receive a copy of the program by airmail

Download

• if you need to download or re-download SuperMemo 18, please write to receive assistance
• once you purchase the program, you should see a Download button. The button is rather small and some users missed it when ordering the program. Theoretically, the button might also not show up due to a technical glitch (e.g. error when loading the page). If you fail to download while ordering, you can always download later. Please write for help

Installation

• run the downloaded file (sm18inst.exe) to install SuperMemo. Note that newer Windows will complain of lack of digital signature marking the file as "Unknown Publisher". You can ignore that warning by choosing More info, and Run anyway (in Windows)
• if you have not installed SuperMemo yet, see installation instructions

Password

• please use File : Installation : Input password, or use Ctrl+i, to insert the unlock password. New users receive their password via e-mail within a business day of the purchase
• you are not likely to need the password again. You can always get it from us via e-mail on request
• if you cannot provide the password because File : Installation : Input password is inactive, your SuperMemo must have already been unlocked (or your version is compatible with the prior database format and requires no upgrade)
• if you get a message "Wrong password" please check if:
  1. your CapsLock is off,
  2. you used capital letters in the password where needed, and
  3. if you are using SuperMemo 18 (i.e. not SuperMemo 2008, SuperMemo 15, or SuperMemo 18 Beta or Gamma, etc.). Choose Help : About in SuperMemo to see which version you are using.

The best way to insert the password is to just paste it from Startup Instructions e-mail

• for more details see: Unlocking SuperMemo

First steps

Please have a look at those text that should help you progress into advanced learning with SuperMemo:

• First steps (3 min)
• Your top 20 skills (1 month)
• Incremental learning (1 year and beyond)

If you need to Google for help files, use Ctrl+F3 in SuperMemo (e.g. Help Wiki (SuperMemo)), not straight Google. It is easy to hit wrong pages relevant to older versions of SuperMemo.

Help

• use F1 in SuperMemo to open help pages relevant to the context
• you can post your questions at SuperMemopedia. You can register under your name or use universal user: "SuperMemoUser" with password "SuperMemo". See below

E-mail

If you need help, use Help : E-mail : Bug report in SuperMemo to include your system data in your inquiries.

Other useful e-mail addresses (in 2026):

• use help2026(@)supermemo.org to get help
• use bug2026(@)supermemo.org to report bugs and problems
• use shop2026(@)supermemo.org to receive instructions, passwords, download links, etc.

For more see: Useful e-mail addresses at supermemo.com

If you do not get a reply to your inquiries, please check your mail spam folder, or write again. If you have problems with getting in touch via e-mail, you can always communicate your problems via SuperMemopedia. You can register under your name or use universal user: "SuperMemoUser" with password "SuperMemo". See below

Upgrading collections

• Old collections: you may need to download SuperMemo 16 to upgrade older collections. SuperMemo 16 is free for users of SuperMemo 17 and SuperMemo 18
• Preserving Contents: see if your categories upgraded correctly to concepts (e.g. to avoid pitfalls). Check if root and hook settings are correct. Avoid using the main element as the root in large/complex collections
• Efficient learning: if you have a mature learning process going on in your collection, use F7 and Compute to compute accurate DSR model data (that makes the new algorithm run most effectively)
• Learning performance: please have a peek at Toolkit : Statistics : Analysis : Use [top] : Efficiency [bottom] : R-Metric [bottom] from time to time. The graph should hover above zero. If you get negative outcomes, please get in touch. Your learning may progress slower if you do not remedy.

SuperMemopedia

SuperMemopedia is your best place to receive help, report bugs and suggest improvements to SuperMemo.

To post your questions:

1. Go to https://supermemopedia.com
2. Click "Log in" (top right corner)
3. Type Username: "SuperMemoUser"
4. Type Password: "SuperMemo2022"
5. Click the "Log in" button
6. Click Ask Your Question (on the left)

Use Recent changes at SuperMemopedia to see recent edits to questions you have added