1. Identify your Windows architecture
Open Windows Settings → System → About and check System type. Most Intel or AMD PCs need x64. ARM-based PCs need ARM64. Use x86 only when your installed Windows and the release instructions call for a 32-bit build.
Do not choose a file only because its filename contains “Windows”. Match the architecture as well. Read the release-specific operating-system requirements.
2. Choose MSI or portable ZIP
| Package | When to choose it |
|---|---|
| MSI installer | You want a normal installation managed by Windows. |
| Portable ZIP | You prefer to extract the app into a folder and launch it there. |
Open the official release Assets and select the matching filename. Download the checksum list from the same release if available. A portable package still needs to be completely extracted before use.
3. Verify the download
In PowerShell, replace the example path with the actual file you downloaded:
Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 "C:\Users\YourName\Downloads\photocraft-file.msi"Compare the resulting hash with the exact filename in the official checksum list. If the values differ, do not install that copy; download it again from the official release.
4. Install and launch
- For MSI, open the installer and follow the wizard. Review any publisher prompt.
- For ZIP, extract all files to a folder, then launch the app from the extracted directory.
- Open a small JPEG or PNG using File → Open.
- Save an edited copy into a folder you can write to, then reopen it.
If Windows blocks the file, record the exact message and verify the source, architecture and signature information. Do not disable system protection as a routine installation step.
Updating or diagnosing a failed launch
Keep a copy of important projects before upgrading. For a portable build, extract the new release into a separate folder so old and new program files are not mixed. If the app still fails, collect Windows version, GPU model, package name and the exact error for a bug report.
Sources & scope
Written from official documentation and editorial guidance. Not an exhaustive compatibility test. Menu names and behavior can change between releases.