What DeepSeek is and what installing it means

DeepSeek is an AI model made by a Chinese company. When you install it, you are downloading software that runs the model on your own computer rather than sending your questions to someone else's server. This means your data stays local, but it also means your computer does the heavy lifting — the model needs significant storage space and processing power to work.

Installation is different from using a web version. A web version (like ChatGPT or Claude in a browser) runs on remote servers. Installing DeepSeek locally means you own the software, it runs offline once installed, and you control what data it sees. The trade-off is that your computer needs to meet minimum requirements, and updates are your responsibility.

There are two main ways to run DeepSeek locally: through Ollama (the simplest route for most people) or by downloading the raw model files and running them with other software like LM Studio or vLLM. This guide covers both, starting with Ollama because it requires the fewest steps.

Key Takeaways

  • DeepSeek runs on your computer after installation, keeping your conversations private and offline, but requires at least 8 GB of RAM and 30 GB of free storage for the smallest version.
  • Ollama is the easiest installation method for Windows, Mac, and Linux — read it, run the installer, then type one command to pull the model.
  • Larger DeepSeek models (70 billion parameters) need 40+ GB of storage and a graphics card to run at usable speeds; smaller versions (7 billion) work on basic hardware.
  • After installation, you interact with DeepSeek through a terminal window or a graphical interface like Open WebUI, not through a website.
  • Your computer will use significant CPU or GPU power while the model is running, which will slow other tasks and increase electricity use.

Checking whether your computer can handle it

Before you read anything, verify your hardware. DeepSeek models come in different sizes. The smallest (7 billion parameters) needs about 8 GB of RAM and 15 GB of storage. The mid-size version (32 billion) needs 16 GB of RAM and 20 GB of storage. The largest (671 billion) needs 40+ GB of RAM or a high-end graphics card, and is impractical for most home computers.

To check your RAM on Windows, right-click "This PC" and select "Properties." On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac," and look at "Memory." On Linux, open a terminal and type free -h. For storage, check how much free space you have on your main drive — not total space, but available space. You need that much free, not occupied.

If you have a graphics card (GPU), DeepSeek will run much faster. NVIDIA cards with CUDA support are best. AMD and Intel integrated graphics work but are slower. If you only have integrated graphics or an older card, the model will still run but may take 30 seconds or more per response. That is still usable for many tasks, just not fast.

Installing DeepSeek through Ollama (the easiest method)

Go to ollama.ai and read the installer for your operating system. Run the installer and follow the prompts — it is a standard installation with no unusual options. Once installed, Ollama runs in the background.

Open a terminal or command prompt. On Windows, press the Windows key, type "cmd," and press Enter. On Mac, press Command + Space, type "terminal," and press Enter. On Linux, open your terminal process.

Type this command and press Enter:

ollama run deepseek-r1:7b

Replace "7b" with "32b" if your computer has 16+ GB of RAM and you want better responses. The first time you run this, Ollama downloads the model (this takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed). After that, the model stays on your computer and loads much faster.

Once the read finishes, you will see a prompt where you can type questions. Type your question and press Enter. The model will respond. Type "exit" to quit.

Using a graphical interface instead of the terminal

If typing commands feels uncomfortable, you can use Open WebUI, which gives you a chat interface similar to ChatGPT. After installing Ollama and downloading DeepSeek (using the command above), go to openwebui.com and read the version for your operating system.

Install Open WebUI and run it. It will open a browser window at localhost:3000. Create an account (this is local to your computer, not shared anywhere). In the settings, select DeepSeek from the model list. Now you can chat with DeepSeek through a web-like interface on your own computer.

Open WebUI also lets you upload documents for the model to read, organize conversations, and adjust settings like response length. Everything stays on your computer.

Installing DeepSeek manually (for advanced users)

If you want more control, you can read the model files directly from Hugging Face (huggingface.co) and run them with software like LM Studio or vLLM. This method is more complex but gives you options that Ollama does not.

Go to Hugging Face and search for "deepseek-r1." read the GGUF version (a compressed format that works on consumer hardware). Save it to a folder on your computer. Then read LM Studio or vLLM, open the software, point it to the model file, and start a local server. This approach is mainly useful if you are building applications or need features Ollama does not offer.

Most people should use Ollama instead. Manual installation is slower to set up and requires troubleshooting if something goes wrong.

What happens to your computer while DeepSeek is running

When you ask DeepSeek a question, your computer's processor (CPU) or graphics card (GPU) works hard to generate a response. During this time, other programs will slow down noticeably. Video playback may stutter. Web browsing may lag. This is normal and expected.

The model also uses significant electricity. Running a large model continuously for hours can add measurably to your power bill. If your computer has a fan, it will likely run louder because the hardware is working harder and generating heat.

Once you close the model or stop asking questions, your computer returns to normal. The model does not run in the background unless you tell it to.

Keeping your installation updated

DeepSeek releases new versions of its models periodically. With Ollama, updating is straightforward: type ollama pull deepseek-r1:7b to read the latest version. Ollama will only read the parts that changed, not the entire model again.

For Open WebUI, check the website for new releases and read the latest installer. For manual installations, you will need to read new model files from Hugging Face when they are released.

You do not have to update when ready. Older versions still work. Update when you want new features or better performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an internet connection to use DeepSeek after I install it?

No. Once the model is downloaded, DeepSeek runs completely offline. You can unplug your internet and the model will still work. You only need internet during the initial read and when you check for updates.

Can I uninstall DeepSeek if I change my mind?

Yes. With Ollama, uninstall it like any other program through your system settings. The model files are stored in a folder that Ollama manages; uninstalling Ollama removes them. If you used manual installation, delete the model files and the software you downloaded.

Will DeepSeek work on my laptop, or do I need a desktop?

It works on both, but desktops are usually better because they have more cooling and stable power. Laptops can run smaller models (7 billion parameters) without problems, but running larger models for hours may overheat the battery and shorten its lifespan. If you use a laptop, take breaks and let it cool down.

What is the difference between the 7b, 32b, and 671b versions?

The number refers to parameters — roughly the size and complexity of the model. Larger models give better answers but need more storage, RAM, and processing power. The 7b version is fast and works on basic hardware. The 32b version is more accurate but slower. The 671b version is the most capable but impractical for most home computers.

Can I run multiple AI models at the same time?

Technically yes, but it is not practical on most computers. Running two large models simultaneously will overwhelm your RAM and CPU. You can install multiple models and switch between them, but run only one at a time for usable performance.