Skip to content

Docs: Added unofficial Windows install instructions #786

New issue

Have a question about this project? Sign up for a free GitHub account to open an issue and contact its maintainers and the community.

Sign up for GitHub

By clicking “Sign up for GitHub”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy statement. We’ll occasionally send you account related emails.

Already on GitHub? Sign in to your account

Open
wants to merge 6 commits into
base: main
Choose a base branch
from
Open

Docs: Added unofficial Windows install instructions #786

Changes from all commits
Commits
Show all changes
6 commits
Select commit Hold shift + click to select a range
7431e96
Added unofficial Windows install troubleshoot instructions
Josh65-2201 May 13, 2025
4494f21
Fix numbering
Josh65-2201 May 13, 2025
4be0654
Apply suggestions from code review
Josh65-2201 May 14, 2025
e60270b
Update src/routes/docs/install/+page.md
Josh65-2201 May 14, 2025
36cc45e
Update src/routes/docs/install/+page.md
Josh65-2201 May 14, 2025
be9721b
Update +page.md
yaira2 Jun 8, 2025
File filter

Filter by extension

Filter by extension
Conversations
Failed to load comments.
Loading
Jump to
Jump to file
Failed to load files.
Loading
Diff view
Diff view
38 changes: 23 additions & 15 deletions src/routes/docs/install/+page.md
View file
Open in desktop
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -22,9 +22,17 @@ You can also use the preview version alongside the stable release to get early a

### PowerShell

1. Open PowerShell as administrator.
2. Run this command `Add-AppxPackage -AppInstallerFile https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package.appinstaller`.

1. Open the default version of PowerShell as administrator (Powershell 7 will **not** work).
2. For the stable branch, use the following command
```
Add-AppxPackage -AppInstallerFile https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package.appinstaller
```
For the preview branch, use the following command
```
Add-AppxPackage -AppInstallerFile https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package.appinstaller
```
3. Wait until the blue bar at the top of the window disappears.
4. Files should be installed and available in the Start Menu.

### Winget

Expand Down Expand Up @@ -56,18 +64,6 @@ Files will automatically check for updates whenever the app is opened and an ind
Installing an update will automatically restart Files so make sure to save your work before starting an update.
</InfoBar>

### Steps required for the "classic installer" version after 3/21/2024

Starting 3/21/2024, users of the sideload version (aka classic installer) will need to reinstall Files in order to continue receiving automatic updates. This is a one time requirement due to changes in the code signing certificate.

<InfoBar title="Note" severity="information">
This is not required for the Store version of Files.
</InfoBar>

1. Export your settings by going to `Settings > Advanced > Export`.
2. Uninstall Files and restart Windows
3. [Reinstall](/download/) Files.
4. Import your settings from `Settings > Advanced > Import`.

## Troubleshooting

Expand All @@ -84,3 +80,15 @@ If you encounter any problems or errors while updating Files, you can try the fo
### Windows cannot install package because a different package with the same name is already installed

If you get this error code, you'll need to uninstall and [reinstall](/download/) Files. You can also export/import the settings file to keep your existing settings.


### Unofficial and modified versions of Windows

This includes but is not limited to AtlasOS, ReviOS, disabling Windows update, removing the Microsoft store. Files is not officially supported on devices with these modifications.

1. Type Services in Windows start menu
Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Should this be under its own section?

Copy link
Member Author

@Josh65-2201 Josh65-2201 May 14, 2025 •
edited
Loading

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

Where else could it go? Since the instructions would only apply if Windows was modify in an unsupported way that breaks the install process

Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

It can stay here, but we can add an introduction on when users should take these steps.

Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

@Josh65-2201 when should users follow these steps?

Copy link
Member Author

@Josh65-2201 Josh65-2201 Jun 8, 2025 •
edited
Loading

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

These steps should be followed if the person has knowingly disabled/removed things that can not be done without another program/script or used redistributed Windows installs like AtlasOS provides.

If you meant errors, then I most of the time it will say something like A service wasn't able to be started or Class not registered. I can get the error message if you wanted

Copy link
Member

Choose a reason for hiding this comment

The reason will be displayed to describe this comment to others. Learn more.

I can get the error message if you wanted

That would be helpful, ideally, we would list the error as another section and put these steps underneath it.

2. Open the `Windows update` and `Delivery optimization` services properties (Double click)
3. Set startup type to manual and click OK
4. Right click the services
5. Click Start
6. Try installing again.