docs / getting-started / install

Install

Files is a community-driven project that depends on your support to grow and improve. Please consider purchasing Files through the Microsoft Store or supporting us on GitHub if you install the free version.

Note

The Windows Update and Delivery Optimization services will need to be enabled in order for the installation to work. Modified versions of Windows or running "debloat" scripts/programs are often missing these components and aren't supported. Check the troubleshooting section below for further details.

Microsoft Store

Classic Installer

PowerShell

Open the default version of PowerShell as administrator (Powershell 7 will not work).

For the stable branch, use the following command

Add-AppxPackage -AppInstallerFile https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package.appinstaller

For the preview branch, use the following command

Add-AppxPackage -AppInstallerFile https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package.appinstaller

Wait until the blue bar at the top of the window disappears.
Files should be installed and available in the Start Menu.

Winget

The Winget package is maintained by a third party.

Stable branch

winget install -e --id FilesCommunity.Files

Preview branch

winget install -e --id FilesCommunity.FilesPreview

Chocolatey

The Chocolatey package is maintained by a third party.

Stable branch

choco install files

Preview branch

choco install filespreview

Scoop

The Scoop package is maintained by a third party.

Stable branch

scoop install nonportable/files-np

Offline install

Note

The installation files will need to be installed in the same order as listed below.

x64 (AMD and Intel)

Stable branch

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Dependencies/x64/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Dependencies/x64/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Dependencies/x64/Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.8.msix

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Files.Package_x64_arm64.msixbundle

Preview branch

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Dependencies/x64/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.Desktop.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Dependencies/x64/Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.14.00.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Dependencies/x64/Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.8.msix

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Files.Package_x64_arm64.msixbundle

ARM64

Stable branch

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Dependencies/ARM64/Microsoft.VCLibs.ARM64.14.00.Desktop.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Dependencies/ARM64/Microsoft.VCLibs.ARM64.14.00.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Dependencies/ARM64/Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.8.msix

https://cdn.files.community/files/stable/Files.Package/Files.Package_x64_arm64.msixbundle

Preview branch

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Dependencies/ARM64/Microsoft.VCLibs.ARM64.14.00.Desktop.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Dependencies/ARM64/Microsoft.VCLibs.ARM64.14.00.appx

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Dependencies/ARM64/Microsoft.WindowsAppRuntime.1.8.msix

https://cdn.files.community/files/preview/Files.Package/Files.Package_x64_arm64.msixbundle

Keep Files up to date

Files will automatically check for updates whenever the app is opened and an indicator will be displayed on the toolbar if an update is available. You can also manually check for updates from the Microsoft Store or by downloading the classic installer.

Note

Installing an update will automatically restart Files so make sure to save your work before starting an update.

Troubleshooting

Cannot open app package

If you see a “Cannot open app package” message when you try to open Files, it means that your device needs an update for the AppInstaller component. You can update it from the Microsoft Store app on your device, or by downloading and running this installer.

Installing without administrator privileges

Files can be installed without administrator privileges, but it requires the .NET 10 runtime to run. If you don’t have administrator access on your device, you can follow these steps to install .NET:

Download dotnet-install.ps1 from Microsoft.

Open PowerShell in the folder containing the script and run the following commands:

$dotnetDir = "$env:LOCALAPPDATAMicrosoftdotnet"

.dotnet-install.ps1 -Runtime WindowsDesktop -Channel 10.0 -InstallDir $dotnetDir
.dotnet-install.ps1 -Runtime dotnet         -Channel 10.0 -InstallDir $dotnetDir

[System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("DOTNET_ROOT", $dotnetDir, "User")

Reopen Files.

Updates

If you encounter any problems or errors while updating Files, you can try the following solutions:

Make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough disk space for the update.
Restart your computer and try to update Files again.

Unofficial and modified versions of Windows

This includes but is not limited to AtlasOS, ReviOS, disabling Windows update, removing the Microsoft store. Files is not officially supported on devices with these modifications.

Type Services in Windows start menu
Open the Windows update and Delivery optimization services properties (Double click)
Set startup type to manual and click OK
Right click the services
Click Start
Try installing again.