# Install and Set Up TStar The TStar console is available for **Windows and macOS**. Windows uses a standard installer wizard; macOS downloads are DMG files for Apple silicon and Intel. Neither is a portable single-file app. > **Where do I get the download link?** > Grab the latest installer straight from the [download page](/download) — no waiting on a support email. **You don't need a license key to download it, but you do need one to get past the activation screen** — see the [purchase flow](/docs/activation) for how to get a key. ## Windows installation The screens and steps below cover Windows. On macOS, choose the download for your Mac's processor from the download page. **1. Download the installer** Download the installer from the [download page](/download). The file name follows the pattern `tstar-console--setup.exe`. **2. Run the installer** Double-click the installer to launch the setup wizard. It installs into your own user directory, so **no administrator rights are needed**, and you can also choose a custom install path. The first screen asks you to choose a language. The language you pick here is also the one pre-selected the first time the console opens. **3. (Possibly) a Windows SmartScreen prompt** Since the installer isn't code-signed yet, Windows may show a "Windows protected your PC" prompt. This is standard behavior for any unsigned installer — it doesn't mean anything is wrong with the app. Click "More info" → "Run anyway" to continue installing. **4. Installation complete, open the console** Once installed, a "TStar Console" shortcut appears on your desktop / Start menu — double-click to open it. The first time you open it, a language selection page appears (on both Windows and macOS) — pick your language and confirm; to change it later, go to the Settings page. On first launch a standalone **activation screen** sits in front of the main app — that's expected. Paste the key support emailed you and click "Activate and enter"; see [License Purchase & Activation](/docs/activation). > **Automatic updates** > The console checks for new versions automatically and downloads them in the background (never while you're live). Once the download finishes, the update installs automatically the next time you close the console, and reopening it gives you the new version. To update right away, click "Restart and Complete Update" (about 30 seconds). **Don't update mid-stream.** Update prompts are suppressed while you're live, but manually triggering an update from the Settings page still runs it. Click "Later" to defer.