Windows Installation

Install a release

1. Confirm that the PC meets the current system requirements.
2. Download NetWatch-Setup-*.exe from the latest release.
3. Launch Setup normally.
4. If WSL support is missing, use the installer assistance and approve the Windows elevation prompt for that step.
5. Finish installation and open NetWatch.

The installer can help enable or install WSL, a Linux distribution, and Docker Desktop. Docker Desktop still needs to use its WSL2 backend and be integrated with the distribution selected for NetWatch.

First start

NetWatch asks for the network configuration and service credentials it needs. Follow Getting Started for the full sequence.

Private state is kept inside the selected WSL distribution under:

~/.local/share/netwatch/

Normal upgrades preserve this directory. Do not remove it when troubleshooting unless you intend to erase the application configuration.

Background operation

In Settings, use:

• On Close → Minimize to tray to keep the backend available after closing the window;
• Start with Windows → Enabled to launch NetWatch after sign-in;
• On startup → Minimize to tray to start without opening the main window.

Left-click the tray icon to restore NetWatch. Right-click it and select Exit NetWatch to stop the application and its managed runtime.

Build instead of installing

For source builds, use Building from Source and the repository's packaging guide.