

<note>
There has been an update to thinkgear_testapp.c under the \ThinkGear Communications Driver\win32 directory. Included is the alternate file: thinkgear_testraw.c

The ThinkGear Communications Driver is **deprecated** and may no longer be updated. Mental Effort and Familiarity are not included in the ThinkGear Communications Driver.
</note>

Creating a Project
     - Use the "Visual C/C++" > "Win32" > "Win32 Console Application" template
     - Name the project "thinkgear_testapp"
     - Put the new project in an existing Solution or a new Solution.
     - Click OK.
  - When the Win32 Application Wizard pops up, select "Application Settings":
     - Under Application type, make sure "Console application" is selected
     - Under Additional options, make sure only "Empty project" is selected
     - Under common header files, make sure nothing is selected
     - Click Finish
  - Use Windows Explorer to copy the "thinkgear.h", "thinkgear.lib", and "thinkgear_testapp.c" files we provided to the new thinkgear_testapp project directory.
  - In Visual Studio, in the Solution Explorer, right-click on the "Source Files" folder:
     - Select "Add" > "Existing Item..."
     - Select the "thinkgear_testapp.c" file in the thinkgear_testapp folder
  - Right-click on the "Header Files" folder:
     - Select "Add" > "Existing Item..."
     - Select the "thinkgear.h" file in the thinkgear_testapp folder
  - Right-click on the "thinkgear_testapp" project itself:
     - Select "Add" > "Existing Item..."
     - Select the "thinkgear.lib" file in the thinkgear_testapp folder (you may have to change "Files of type" at the bottom to "All Files", and then ignore any prompts to create rules)
  - Build the project (The "thinkgear_testapp.exe" file should appear in Windows Explorer in the "SOLUTION\Debug\" folder)
  - Use Windows Explorer to copy the "thinkgear.dll" file we provided into the same folder as the "thinkgear_testapp.exe" ("SOLUTION\Debug\"), or into any folder on your system PATH.
  - Make sure your ThinkGear headset is connected to the computer on COM5 <nowiki>**</nowiki>.
  - Run the "thinkgear_testapp.exe" file and watch the EEG brainwave values.
  - Read, understand, and adapt the code in thinkgear_testapp.cpp to your project to obtain data from ThinkGear Headsets.  Refer to the API documentation for details about the ThinkGear API functions.