Installation Guide | Windows

The following guide will help you install and run both PiecesOS and the Pieces for Developers Desktop Application quickly and easily on your Windows device.

Recommended Installation Method

The recommended installation method on Windows is using the .exe installer for the Pieces Desktop App.

Download PiecesOS and the Pieces Desktop App in order by clicking the download cards below.

Download — PiecesOS (EXE)

Step 1: Download PiecesOS

Required Core Dependency

Windows 10 (20H0) or higher required.

Download — Pieces Desktop App (EXE)

Step 2: Download the Desktop App

Recommended Method

Windows 10 (20H0) or higher required.

PiecesOS is a required Core Dependency. Please install it alongside the Pieces Desktop App.

Install the EXE

Now that you downloaded the .exe, it’s time to install Pieces.

Find Saved Location

Open your Downloads folder (or wherever you saved the installer) and look for the .exe file you just downloaded (e.g., PiecesInstaller.exe).

Open the Installer

Double-click the .exe file to launch the installation wizard.

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 .exe installer, you can also use .MSIX installers or WinGet commands through your terminal.

via MSIX

If you cannot use the .exe installer for any reason, you can also install via the App Installer (.MSIX).

Download — PiecesOS (MSIX)

Step 1: Download PiecesOS

Required Dependency

Windows 10 (1809) or higher required.

Download — Pieces Desktop App (MSIX)

Step 2: Download the Desktop App

Recommended Method

Windows 10 (1809) or higher required.

Installing via the .MSIX installer may result in some native system prompts, which are outlined below.

Find Saved Location

Open your Downloads folder (or wherever you saved the file) and look for the .msix file you just downloaded (e.g., PiecesDesktop.appinstaller).

Open the Installer

Double-click the .msix file to launch the Windows installation prompt.

via WinGet

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

WinGet — PiecesOS

Step 1: Install PiecesOS

Launch a Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell as administrator.
Next, install PiecesOS by typing winget install “Pieces OS” and pressing enter.

You may be prompted to enter Y or N to agree or disagree the terms of use when installing the Pieces Desktop App—type and enter Y to proceed with the installation.

WinGet — Pieces for Developers

Step 2: Install the Desktop App

Use the same Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell window as before—or launch a new window.
Then, type winget install “Pieces for Developers” and press enter.

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 .msix installation methods.

User Account Control (UAC): If prompted by Windows’ User Account Control, click Yes to allow the installer to make changes.
Install Location: Choose where to install Pieces (default location is recommended) and click Install.
Select Additional Tasks: Check Create a desktop shortcut or Automatically start Pieces for Developers if preferred.
Ready to Install: Click Install.
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 .msix package (AppInstaller) for compatibility reasons.

If you find that your environment is restrictive or that the .msix 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.