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TRACE WINDOWS BETA · USER GUIDE

How to install Trace on Windows

Trace uses a normal Windows installer. Download the setup, follow its screens and choose whether to enable tracking on first launch. No developer tools, account or command line are required.

Which PCs can run Trace?

The current release, Trace 0.1.0-beta.1, supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 on Intel and AMD x64 PCs. Native macOS, Linux, ARM64 and mobile tracking are not available in this beta. All current features are free.

Download and install

  1. Open the official Trace download section and choose Download free Windows beta.
  2. Open Trace-Windows-x64-Setup.exe from your Downloads folder and follow the setup screens.
  3. Launch Trace from the finish screen or the Windows Start menu. If Microsoft WebView2 is missing, setup needs internet access to fetch that runtime.
  4. Choose whether to enable activity tracking. Review the dashboard, then use its Trace Bar button to open the compact desktop view. Configure the bar's position and hover details in Settings.

What if the collector is blocked or disconnected?

The collector supplies activity to both the dashboard and Trace Bar. If Windows reports an Application Control block, clicking Reconnect cannot override that policy. If no policy block is shown, restart Trace and check whether the dashboard reconnects.

If it still fails, report the exact error and your Windows version. Do not upload your activity database or private exports to a public issue.

Starting, pausing and quitting

Starting with Windows is optional and off by default. You can pause tracking from the dashboard or Trace Bar. Closing the dashboard does not necessarily stop collection: use Trace's system tray menu to pause or quit.

Updates and uninstalling

Updates and uninstalling preserve your local history. To remove collected activity, export anything you want to keep and use Settings → Delete all collected data before uninstalling. Read where Trace stores history for retention and privacy details.

Release notes and the GitHub download mirror are available if you need the current beta's package information.

Ready to try Trace?

All current features are free. The download page explains supported PCs and the unsigned beta's limitations.

Get the Windows beta

More help: all Trace guides.