# Installing with a Windows based computer

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> [!NOTE]
>
> This page describes the new installation method using the official M5Burner v3 utility.
>
> Even simpler: the [Web Flasher](./WebFlasher) programs the device straight from Chrome or Edge, with nothing to install.

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This guide explains step by step how to program your M5Stack with the official M5Stack M5Burner utility (Arduino not required).

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## Install the M5Stack USB driver

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Connect your M5Stack device to your computer with the USB cable, open the device manager (right click on the Start button > Device Manager) and check under **Ports (COM & LPT)** if a new COM port appeared.

[[/images/InstallPC07b.png|Device manager showing the M5Stack COM port]]

**If a new COM port appears, no driver is needed: skip to [Download and install M5Burner](#download-and-install-m5burner).**

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If no port appeared, go to the [M5Stack download page](https://docs.m5stack.com/en/download?id=usb%20driver), section **USB Driver**, and download the driver matching your device:

- **CH9102 chip** (most recent Basic and Core2 units): `CH9102_VCP_SER_Windows`
- **CP2104 chip** (older Basic and Core units): `CP210x_VCP_Windows`. Also available from SiLabs: https://www.silabs.com/developer-tools/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers

[[/images/InstallPC02b.png|M5Stack USB Driver download page]]

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In the Downloads folder, extract the .zip file, open the extracted folder and run the installer for the correct platform type of the driver (x64 for most computers).

[[/images/InstallPC02.png|Extracting the USB driver .zip file]]

Next, Accept, Next, Finish.

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Reconnect your M5Stack device and check the COM port appears in the device manager.

NB: *If you have previous versions of SiLabs drivers you might need to remove them in order to see the M5Stack serial port.*

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## Download and install M5Burner

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Go to the official M5Burner page https://docs.m5stack.com/en/uiflow/m5burner and download the **Win x64** version.

[[/images/M5BurnerPC01.png|M5Burner download page]]

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From the Downloads folder, extract the .zip file, for example to `C:\`

**You can extract it wherever you want, but avoid a path name with spaces inside.**

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From the extracted folder, run `M5Burner.exe`

If Windows Defender SmartScreen shows a warning, click **More info** then **Run anyway**. M5Burner is the official flashing tool from M5Stack, it is safe to run.

[[/images/InstallPC09.png|Windows Defender SmartScreen]]

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## Get the M5_NightscoutMon firmware

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The firmware is published on M5Burner by the developer and is found with the search bar.

1. In the **Device Type** list on the left, select your device: **CORE** for a Basic / Core / Gray, or **CORE2 & TOUGH** for a Core2 / Tough.

2. Type **Nightscout** in the search bar at the top and press Enter.

3. On the **NightscoutMon** result, click **Download**.

[[/images/M5BurnerPC04.png|CORE: select the device, search Nightscout and click Download]]

For a Core2 or Tough, select **CORE2 & TOUGH** instead:

[[/images/M5BurnerPC05.png|CORE2 & TOUGH: select the device, search Nightscout and click Download]]

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## Flash the firmware

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Once downloaded, the firmware entry shows **Remove** and **Burn** buttons. Click **Burn**.

[[/images/M5BurnerPC07.png|The Burn button on the downloaded firmware]]

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A **Notice** warns that this is unofficial firmware. This is expected: M5_NightscoutMon is a community firmware, not published by M5Stack. Click **Continue**.

[[/images/M5BurnerPC08.png|Unofficial firmware notice]]

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The burn window opens:

1. Check your M5Stack device is connected.
2. Select the **COM** port of your device (the one you saw in the device manager).
3. Select baudrate **921600**.
4. Click **Start**.

[[/images/M5BurnerPC06.png|Burn window with COM port and baudrate]]

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The firmware is written to your device, showing the progress:

[[/images/M5BurnerPC09.png|Burning in progress]]

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When it finishes, **Burn successfully, click here to return** appears. Click it to return to M5Burner.

[[/images/M5BurnerPC10.png|Burn completed successfully]]

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*Troubleshooting: if the burn fails or stops, try again with a lower baudrate (115200), use a different USB cable or USB port, and make sure no other program (Arduino IDE, serial monitor) is using the COM port.*

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Congratulations, you programmed your M5Stack.

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Continue with the setup [here](./Setup).

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*Looking for the previous installation method? See the [old Windows instructions](./WindowsOld).*