Windows Setup

Windows Setup Guide

This guide will help you install and run Dwellpy on Windows.

System Requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Administrator access (for some installation methods)
• Internet connection for downloads

Method 1: Windows Installer (Recommended - Easiest)

This is the simplest way to get Dwellpy running on Windows:

Download and Install

1. Go to the latest releases page
2. Download the Windows installer (look for dwellpy-installer-*-windows-x64.exe)
3. Run the installer:
   • Double-click the downloaded installer file
   • If Windows shows a security warning, click "More info" then "Run anyway"
   • Follow the installer wizard (click "Next", choose installation location, etc.)
   • The installer will create Start Menu shortcuts and handle all setup automatically
4. Launch Dwellpy:
   • Use the Start Menu shortcut: Start → All Programs → Dwellpy
   • Or double-click the desktop shortcut if you chose to create one
   • The Dwellpy toolbar should appear on your screen!

Installer Benefits

• Professional installation: Handles all file placement and shortcuts automatically
• Start Menu integration: Easy access through Windows Start Menu
• Uninstaller included: Clean removal through Windows Add/Remove Programs
• Desktop shortcut option: Quick access from your desktop
• No manual file management: No need to create folders or move files

Method 2: Install via Python (Advanced Users)

If you prefer to install via Python or need the latest development version:

Step 1: Install Python

Dwellpy requires Python 3.9 or newer. If you already have Python installed, you can skip to Step 2.

Download Python

1. Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/
2. Click the yellow "Download Python" button (this gets the latest version)
3. Run the downloaded installer

Install Python

Important: During installation, make sure to:

• Check "Add Python to PATH" (this is crucial!)
• Check "Install for all users" if you have admin rights
• Click "Install Now"

Verify Python Installation

1. Press Windows Key + R
2. Type cmd and press Enter
3. In the black window that opens, type: python --version
4. You should see something like "Python 3.x.x"

If you get an error like "python is not recognized", Python wasn't added to your PATH. You'll need to reinstall Python and check the "Add Python to PATH" option.

Step 2: Install and Run Dwellpy

Important: Run Command Prompt as administrator for both installation and running:

1. Press Windows Key
2. Type cmd
3. Right-click "Command Prompt" and select "Run as administrator"
4. Click "Yes" when UAC asks for permission
5. Install Dwellpy by typing: pip install dwellpy
6. Wait for installation to complete
7. Run Dwellpy by typing: dwellpy

The Dwellpy toolbar should appear on your screen!

Comparison of Installation Methods

Method	Pros	Cons
Windows Installer	Professional installation, Start Menu integration, automatic uninstaller, desktop shortcuts	None - this is the recommended approach
Python pip install	Smaller download, easier updates, access to latest features	Requires Python installation, potential dependency conflicts

Recommendation: Use the Windows installer for the best user experience.

Common Issues

Windows Installer Issues

Windows Security Warning

• This is normal for installers from open-source projects
• Click "More info" then "Run anyway" to proceed with installation
• You can also right-click the installer file, go to Properties, and check "Unblock" at the bottom

Installation Location

• The installer defaults to C:\Program Files\Dwellpy\
• You can choose a different location during installation if desired
• Admin privileges may be required for system-wide installation locations

Uninstalling

• Use Windows Add/Remove Programs: Settings → Apps → find "Dwellpy" → Uninstall
• Or use the uninstaller: Start Menu → All Programs → Dwellpy → Uninstall Dwellpy

Python Installation Issues

"Access Denied" or Permission Errors

If you get permission errors, make sure you're running Command Prompt as administrator (see Step 3 above).

"pip is not recognized"

If you get this error, Python wasn't installed correctly:

1. Uninstall Python from Windows Settings > Apps
2. Reinstall Python, making sure to check "Add Python to PATH"

Python Opens Microsoft Store

If typing python opens the Microsoft Store instead of running Python:

1. Go to Windows Settings > Apps > App execution aliases
2. Turn off the aliases for Python

Updating Dwellpy

To update to a newer version:

pip install --upgrade dwellpy

Uninstalling

To remove Dwellpy:

pip uninstall dwellpy

Creating a Desktop Shortcut

For easier manual access:

1. Right-click on your desktop
2. Select "New" > "Shortcut"
3. For location, enter: dwellpy
4. Name it "Dwellpy" and click Finish
5. Right-click the new shortcut, select "Properties"
6. Click "Advanced" and check "Run as administrator"

Note: This shortcut will ask for UAC permission each time you run it.

Running Dwellpy Automatically

Auto-Start with Windows (Advanced)

For automatic startup with administrator privileges, use Task Scheduler:

1. Press Windows Key + R, type taskschd.msc, press Enter
2. In Task Scheduler, click "Create Task" in the right panel
3. General tab:
   • Name: "Dwellpy Startup"
   • Check "Run with highest privileges"
   • Select "Run whether user is logged on or not"
4. Triggers tab:
   • Click "New"
   • Set "Begin the task" to "At startup"
   • Click "OK"
5. Actions tab:
   • Click "New"
   • Action: "Start a program"
   • Program: dwellpy
   • Click "OK"
6. Click "OK" to save the task

Note: You may see one UAC prompt when the task first runs, but after that it will start automatically with admin privileges.

Important: Do NOT use the regular startup folder (shell:startup) for Dwellpy. Windows ignores "Run as administrator" settings for shortcuts in the startup folder, so Dwellpy won't have the permissions it needs.

UAC Limitation

Important: Dwellpy cannot click on UAC (User Account Control) prompts. These are the blue/gray dialog boxes that ask "Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?" This is a Windows security feature that blocks all automated clicking.

If you frequently encounter UAC prompts and need to click on them, you may want to consider disabling UAC:

To Disable UAC:

1. Press Windows Key + R
2. Type msconfig and press Enter
3. Go to the "Tools" tab
4. Select "Change UAC Settings" and click "Launch"
5. Move the slider to "Never notify"
6. Click "OK" and restart your computer

Security Warning: Disabling UAC reduces your system's security. Only disable it if you understand the risks and need Dwellpy to work with system dialogs.

Getting Help

If you're still having trouble:

1. Check the Troubleshooting Guide
2. Open an issue on GitHub
3. Include your Windows version and any error messages you see

Next Steps

Once Dwellpy is running, check out the Configuration Guide to adjust the settings for your needs.