Recommended Installation Method

The recommended installation method on Windows is using the .appinstaller file for the Pieces Desktop App.

Download the Pieces Desktop app—after installing Pieces Desktop, PiecesOS will be automatically installed, as it is a necessary dependency.

*Recommended Method* 
Windows 10 (1809) or higher required.

PiecesOS is a required Core Dependency. When using the recommended .appinstaller method, PiecesOS will be installed automatically alongside the Pieces Desktop app—there is no need to download it separately. If you are using an alternative/manual installation method, you may need to download and install PiecesOS manually.

Install the AppInstaller Files

Now that you have downloaded the .appinstaller files, it’s time to install Pieces.

Open your **Downloads** folder (or wherever you saved the installer) and look for the `.appinstaller` file you just downloaded (e.g., *pieces-appinstaller*). Double-click the `.appinstaller` file to launch the installation wizard.

Installing via .appinstaller or any of the alternative methods, like .exe, may cause some user prompt windows to open up—read more about them below.

System Requirements

Your Windows device must be running Windows 10 (1809) or higher.

Click here for a quick guide on determining your OS version.

Component Minimum Recommended Notes
CPU Any modern CPU Multi-core CPU Avoid dual-core processors—aim for at least a 4-core CPU.
RAM (Local Mode) 8 GB total system RAM with 2 GB free 16 GB total system RAM or more Applies when PiecesOS is running locally.
RAM (Cloud Mode) 8 GB total system RAM with 1 GB free 16 GB total system RAM or more Applies when PiecesOS is running in cloud mode.
Disk Space 2 GB minimum (1 GB for PiecesOS + 0.5–1 GB for data), with at least 4 GB free 8 GB with at least 6 GB free or more Ensure additional free space for data storage and future growth.

Alternative Installations

If you prefer an alternative installation method aside from the .appinstaller method, you can also use the exe installers or WinGet commands through your terminal.

via EXE

If you cannot use the .appinstaller method for any reason, you can also install Pieces via .exe.

*Alternative Method* 
Windows 10 (20H0) or higher required.
Open your **Downloads** folder (or wherever you saved the file) and look for the `.exe` file you just downloaded (e.g., *pieces-exe*). Double-click the `.exe` file to launch the Windows installation prompt.

via WinGet

WinGet will allow you to easily install Pieces without having to leave the terminal.

1. Use Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. 
2. Then, copy and run the command below:

```bash
winget install "Pieces"
```

You will be promoted to agree or disagree to the terms of use a second time, so enter `Y` to proceed with the installation.

On-Screen Prompts

There are a series of on-screen prompts to navigate through when installing the Pieces Desktop App and PiecesOS, through either the .exe or .appinstaller desktop installation methods.

  1. User Account Control (UAC): If prompted by Windows’ User Account Control, click Yes to allow the installer to make changes.

  2. Install Location: Choose where to install Pieces (default location is recommended) and click Install.

  3. Select Additional Tasks: Check Create a desktop shortcut or Automatically start Pieces if preferred.

  4. Ready to Install: Click Install.

  5. Installation Progress & Completion: Wait for the installation to complete. Once finished, you’ll see a confirmation message. Click Finish to close the installer.

Enterprise & Advanced Security Considerations

Some Windows systems—particularly those in enterprise environments or with advanced security settings—may require using an .exe package (default installer) instead of an .appinstaller package (AppInstaller) for compatibility reasons.

If you find that your environment is restrictive or that the .appinstaller package doesn’t work properly, consider using the .exe version or an alternative method.

Post-Installation Tips

Read the documentation below for some tips and information to make sure you’re up and running with the latest version(s) of PiecesOS and the Pieces Desktop App, as well as steps to uninstall Pieces software from your Windows device.

Updating

The Pieces Desktop App automatically downloads and installs new updates.

You can also manually check for updates to PiecesOS and the Pieces Desktop App by clicking the Profile nested in the Search Bar at the top of your Pieces Desktop App view, then selecting Check for Desktop App Updates or Check for PiecesOS Updates.

Uninstalling

Open Settings, then find Apps and search Pieces.

Two applications will appear after you enter the search query—Pieces Desktop and PiecesOS. Click the three dots to the right of the application title, and click Uninstall.

Additional Resources

Click here for additional documentation on troubleshooting or reach out to support.