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Install RANZER on Windows

Download the one-click wizard installer and be protected in minutes.

Step 1 - Choose your version

Which Windows are you running?

Not sure? Most laptops and desktops use Windows x64.

Available Now

Windows x64

For Intel and AMD processors - the vast majority of Windows laptops and desktops.

Windows 10 / 11  ·  Intel Core, AMD Ryzen Download x64 Installer
Available Now

Windows ARM64

For ARM-based Windows devices - Surface Pro X, Snapdragon laptops, Windows on ARM.

Windows 10 / 11  ·  Snapdragon, Ampere Download ARM64 Installer

To check: Settings → System → About - look at "System type".

Installation Guide

Follow these steps carefully

Takes about 2 minutes. Skipping steps - especially the Python check - is the most common reason RANZER fails to launch.

⚠

Read before you run the installer

RANZER requires Python 3.10 or later to be installed first. The installer will check for it automatically, but if Python is missing you'll need to install it and re-run. Step 1 below tells you exactly what to do.

1

Check Python is installed

RANZER requires Python 3.10 or later. Open Command Prompt and run:

python --version

If you see Python 3.10.x or higher, skip to step 2.

If Python is not found, download it from python.org/downloads. During installation tick "Add Python to PATH" and "Install for all users". Restart your computer before continuing.
2

Run the installer as Administrator

Right-click the downloaded RANZER_Setup.exe and select Run as administrator. This is required to install to Program Files and update your system PATH.

Windows may show a SmartScreen warning. Click More info → Run anyway. RANZER is fully open source - you can review the code on GitHub.
3

Follow the install wizard

The wizard installs RANZER to C:\Program Files\Ranzer\ and automatically:

· Installs required Python libraries (watchdog, psutil, Pillow)
· Creates a RANZER entry in your Start Menu
· Optionally adds a Desktop shortcut
· Adds ranzer to your system PATH

The full process takes about 30–60 seconds.

4

Launch RANZER

From Start Menu: Press the Windows key, type RANZER, and click the app.

From Command Prompt: Open a new terminal window (so it picks up the updated PATH) and run:

ranzer gui
Always open a new Command Prompt after installing. Existing windows won't have the updated PATH yet.
5

Verify the install

In a new Command Prompt, run:

ranzer --help

You should see the full RANZER command list. If so - you're all set. Head to the User Guide to start protecting your files.

Uninstalling RANZER

Go to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps, find RANZER, and click Uninstall. Alternatively use Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a Program. All files, shortcuts, and PATH entries are removed automatically.

Troubleshooting

'ranzer' is not recognized - Open a new Command Prompt. If still failing, restart your PC to reload environment variables.

Python not found during install - Install Python 3.10+ from python.org with "Add Python to PATH" ticked, restart, then re-run the installer.

GUI doesn't open - Run python -m ranzer gui in a terminal to see the error directly.

SmartScreen blocks install - Click More info → Run anyway. The app is unsigned open-source software, not malware.

Next Step

Ready to start monitoring?

The User Guide walks you through setting up your first monitored directory, understanding alerts, and getting the most out of RANZER.

Read the User Guide →

Developed as part of an academic project at
Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia