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Download and Install

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Orfeo comes in two versions from the same download page: a normal Windows installer and a portable app that runs without installing. This page helps you pick one, then walks you through downloading, installing and getting past the Windows security prompt on first run. Orfeo is also in the Microsoft Store, see below.

Choose a version

Installer

Portable

File name

Orfeo Setup <version>.exe

Orfeo-<version>-portable.exe

Installation

A normal Windows setup wizard

None, the file is the app

Admin rights

Not needed, it installs for your Windows account only

Not needed

Where it lives

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Orfeo by default, or a folder you choose

Wherever you put the file, even a USB stick

Shortcuts

Start menu and desktop, created for you

None, pin it yourself if you like

Updates

Automatic, see Updating Orfeo

Manual, download the new file

Best for

Everyday use on your own PC

USB sticks, shared or locked-down PCs, trying Orfeo out

Both versions have exactly the same features. The difference is where they keep their settings, explained in Where your data lives. If you’re unsure, choose the installer.

Download

  • Open the latest Orfeo release page.
  • Scroll down to Assets.
  • Click Orfeo Setup <version>.exe for the installer, or Orfeo-<version>-portable.exe for the portable app. You don’t need a GitHub account.

Install the installer version

  • Double-click Orfeo Setup <version>.exe in your Downloads folder.
  • If Windows shows a blue Windows protected your PC window, follow the steps below.
  • Read the licence page and click I Agree. Orfeo is free and open source under the GNU GPLv3.
  • Keep the suggested folder, or click Browse to choose another one, then click Install.
  • Click Finish. Orfeo is now in your Start menu and on your desktop.

IMAGE · install-wizard.png · 800 × 620 px · The Orfeo setup wizard’s welcome page with the dark sidebar, amber Orfeo mark and the “From MIDI to mastery.” tagline.

Run the portable version

  • Create a folder for Orfeo, for example D:\Apps\Orfeo or a folder on a USB stick.
  • Move Orfeo-<version>-portable.exe into that folder.
  • Double-click it to start Orfeo. On first start it creates an Orfeo-Data folder next to itself for your settings.

 Tip

Keep the portable app and its Orfeo-Data folder together. Copy both to another PC or a USB stick and your settings, favourites and library link come with you.

Get Orfeo from the Microsoft Store

Orfeo is also in the Microsoft Store. It is the same app as the installer version, installed and kept up to date by the Store instead of by Orfeo itself.

  • Open Orfeo in the Microsoft Store and click Get. Windows installs it like any other Store app and adds it to the Start menu.
  • There is no Windows protected your PC warning: Microsoft checks every version before it goes into the Store.
  • The Store installs updates for you, a little after each release on GitHub, once Microsoft has checked it. In Orfeo, Check for updates opens the Store page. See Updating Orfeo.

“Windows protected your PC”

The first time you run either version, Windows SmartScreen may block it with a blue window. This happens because Orfeo isn’t code-signed yet, a paid certificate that a free, one-person project doesn’t have so far. It doesn’t mean the file is harmful.

  • In the blue window, click More info.
  • Check that the app name reads Orfeo Setup <version>.exe or Orfeo-<version>-portable.exe.
  • Click Run anyway.

Windows only asks once per downloaded file. Only ever download Orfeo from the official release page linked above.

IMAGE · install-smartscreen.png · 800 × 560 px · The “Windows protected your PC” window after clicking More info, with the app name and the Run anyway button visible.

Next steps

Orfeo is ready. Continue with Quick Start to play your first song in under a minute.