NOTE: This guide is slightly outdated. Look up guide and new assets here http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=86475.0

NOTE 2:
The very first thing you should do with your FreeSpace 2 copy is installing FreeSpace 2 Source Code Project. If you don't know what FS2 SCP is, visit scp.indiegames.us, hard-light.net, search Wikipedia, Google, YouTube, this forum or ask any knowledgeable gamer.

Here is a promo fan-made video of Freespace 2 SCP - The Best Space Sim:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HFEmGcJcWA

This guide covers MANUAL installation of latest 3.6.12 version of FS2_open on Windows (W7 64-bit to be specific). Yet Another Good Thing: outcast1 wrote a quick guide for Linux:
http://www.gog.com/en/forum/freespace_series/linux_freespace_2_open_freespace

Note: Not all mods/campaigns have been tested with the current version yet. If you encounter compatibility issue, use 3.6.10 respectively. I guess 3.6.12 works flawlessly with original campaign.

Step #1
Install FreeSpace 2 to eg.
C:\GOG.com\Freespace 2
Note: it is not recommended to choose long directory paths, eg. "Program Files". It worked fine for me but better be safe.

Step #2
Download and install OpenAL.
http://connect.creativelabs.com/openal/Downloads/oalinst.zip

Step #3
Download FS2 Open Launcher for Windows (current v. 5.5g) and extract to Freespace 2 main directory (eg. C:\GOG.com\Freespace 2).
http://swc.fs2downloads.com/files/Launcher55g.zip
http://www.mediafire.com/?wdvzn7hhhzh418m (mirror)
Only use launcher to start the game.

Step #4
Download archive containing main 3.6.12 exe (engine) files and extract it to FreeSpace 2 main directory.
http://swc.fs2downloads.com/builds/WIN/fs2_open_3_6_12_INF_SSE2.zip
http://sectorgame.com/f2s/downloads.php?action=downloads&id=558 (mirror)
This is Inferno Build (for future reference)

Step #5
Download archive containing MediaVPs 3.6.12 (textures, effects etc.) and extract it to FreeSpace 2 main directory.
http://www.mvp.fsmods.net/3612/MV_Maximum_3612.7z

Step #6
Run launcher and configure it:
a) browse and select exe file ( fs2_open_3_6_12r_INF_SSE2.exe )
b) tab Video: select OpenGL (DO NOT USE DirectX - it's obsolete for FS2 SCP) desired resolution, 32-bit color depth, Trilinear filtering, adjust processing, check "use large textures" ("hi res pack" should be checked already).
c) tab Features:
- select all features on
- list graphics: select all but disable scale-to-window for movies
- list HUD: enable info next to target, enable 3d radar, rearm completion time
- list gameplay: enable 3d warp, flash upon warp
- list audio: enable preload mission game sounds
- list experimental: enable post processing
d) tab MOD:
- click "select mod" and browse to MediaVPs 3.6.12 directory, eg. C:\GOG.com\Freespace 2\mediavps_3612
e) click APPLY to save changes

Step #7
Move these files to \data\movies\ directory in order to get all cutscenes work. If \data\movies directory does not exist, create it.

\data2\COLOSSUS.MVE
\data2\INTRO.MVE
\data2\MONO1.MVE

\data3\BASTION.MVE
\data3\ENDPART1.MVE
\data3\ENDPRT2A.MVE
\data3\ENDPRT2B.MVE
\data3\MONO2.MVE
\data3\MONO3.MVE
\data3\MONO4.MVE

Note: You can replace original cinematic files with those in OGG format for better quality:
http://www.freespacemods.net/download.php?view.128

Step #8
Run the game, adjust in-game graphics settings to maximum and check other settings.
-----

Missing cutscenes?
Kalfireth advises:
If you got your copy of FS2 from Good Old Games, be advised that the cutscenes are located somewhere in \freespace2\data2\ or \freespace2\data3\ or something like that, in any case a folder with the name "data<some number>". They're the .mve files.
Why? Because FSO cannot read the cutscenes from that folder, so move them to \freespace2\data\movies\ .
Note: only the cutscenes are problematic. \data2\ and \data3\ contain other files as well, but they're redundant or empty and you can safely ignore them.

-----

Refresh rate problem while using CRT monitor? You probably get 60 Hz, which is not enough, right?

One way to fix it is to run launcher and select Features > Dev Tool > check Run in fullscreen window. Then adjust game resolution to your desktop screen. It's done.

------

References:
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=47640.0
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=70692

-----

Note #1: This is a quick installation guide of CORE 3.6.12 FS2 Open files. Use links above or search forums for other methods, campaigns and mods, including online and offline installers. I just wanted to share it with you. Feel free to copy and rewrite.

Note #2: Works fine with Steam overlay, just add launcher to non Steam games.

Note #3: Technical problems? FreeSpace 2 Open Frequently Asked Questions (FSO FAQ) can be found here: http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=56279.0

Thanks this was very helpful. I downloaded some auto program but I kept getting a bug. Tried this and it worked perfectly.

On step 6 the high res texture pack box is grayed out. Also you should tell people in order to use MediaVPs 3.6.12 textures etc. they need to go to the mod options on the launcher and select the extracted folder and select apply. :D

Thank you for pointing out the most important thing. :'D Auto installer seems outdated, oh well.

Fixed.

Hey thanks for the guide, i am a long time fan of Free Space 2, and I'm glad the game kinda made a return with talented modders. However I did everything the guide said, however when I start the mission the game crashes, what should I do?

There can be plenty of reasons so it's mostly guessing. Firstly, review all steps and check you did them all (yes, I know...). Be sure you put extracted files in proper directories (extracting can be a little tricky).

Run FS2 Open only through launcher. BTW Does it work when launching exe file directly? Did you point FS2Open exe file in the launcher (not the original exe)?

One of my "magic" ways of fixing things is removing all files (including directory) and reinstalling. Install in simple path,eg. c:\FS2\ or C:\Games\FS2 (without spaces, dots and so on).

Hopefully, your files are not corrupted. Scandisc or redownload?

What kind of processor are you using? If it's old, it may not support SSE2. Use following link to download fs2_open_3_6_12_INF_SSE.zip or even fs2_open_3_6_12_INF.zip
http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=70692

Hey OldEnt, just wanted to say thanks for the guide... tremendously helpful! In the past I've gotten it up and running hit or miss, miss more often than not. Thanks again!

Thank you for your kind words. :") Credit also goes to authors of referenced pages, especially Kalfireth and chief1983. I needed an installation guide but failed to find current and working one (easy step by step). So... I wrote this. I may write FS1 port step by step installation guide in the future.

If referring to the stickied installation instructions thread at HLP, that was actually written by me (Jeff Vader at HLP). I just used Kalfireth's old, old, so very OLD thread by modifying it to be up-to-date and hopefully more clear on what needs to be done and why. I included a notice of this at some point, but I've apparently removed it since then.

I wonder if this post gets through. GOG seems to have something against unregistered people posting. Or at least against me.

There's a much easier way of installing FS:SCP

http://www.fsoinstaller.com

Install FS1+2 then run the installer. It will download all the necessary files and install them, and a tonne of extra campaigns as well.

Yeah, but the current version of this installer installs the outdated versions of executables, mediavps and campaigns. So If you want to use the latest builds, mediavps and campaigns you need to download them manually.

Oh, thank you a lot! It's easier than Hard light forum.

Hey, um, some pointers. You may want to include a disclaimer that these instructions are meant for modern (gaming) machines because of the following nuances:

- You direct link to an SSE2 build. They are awesome and provide slight performance boosts with processors that support the SSE2 instruction set. That is, with processors new enough. Older processors may support SSE or nothing at all. And an SSE2 build will not run, if it is attempted to run on a processor that does not support SSE2.

- You direct link to MV_Maximum. This is convenient, yes, but that package includes MV_Advanced, which in turn includes the most awesome effects there are. And these effects and such require GPU power.

- One thing about mod compatibility with 3.6.12. Mods should work with FSO 3.6.12. It's the MediaVPs that are an issue. Most mods should work like a charm with the 3.6.10 MediaVPs, but may have issues with the 3.6.12 MediaVPs, if the mod was originally designed to be dependent on the MediaVPs. Perchance mention that users may wish to also download and install the 3.6.10 MediaVPs. If instructions are followed, this will not be risky, as the 3.6.12 MediaVPs end up in \freespace2\mediavps_3612\ and the 3.6.10 MediaVPs end up in \freespace2\mediavps\ .

Otherwise, it is always good to have instructions in several places so that people will stumble upon them more easily. Hope you can find the time to keep these instructions up to date, as FSO evolves.

Points noted. Thanks! All suggestions and hints are always welcome! I will update when I'll find some time. I am visiting this thread every couple of days at least. If I won't answer in reasonable time (couple of weeks) you can contact me at grzegorzdabrowski (at) poczta.fm

The more instructions, the better. Hmhm. Should GOG.com make their own installer? That would be interesting.

+1, got the FS2 SCP going and it's wonderful. Thanks for the guide.

Now I just need to figure out FS port so I can break out of the 640x480 of FS1.

That would not be too difficult, just follow the instructions at http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php?topic=70941.0 . In a nutshell

- download the Complete Package
- extract the Complete Package to your \freespace2\ directory; it should create two new subfolders, 'fsport' and 'fsport-mediavps'
- use your Launcher's MOD tab to select the 'fsport-mediavps' folder as an active mod; it will automagically use the 'fsport' and 'mediavps_3612' folders too
- apply the changes, start the game, create a new pilot and select the FS1 campaign from the Campaign Room.