Windows Desktop Installation
Download the Windows installer exclusively from https://download.trace-wall.com/. Verify the version, SHA-256 checksum, and signature status before running the installer.
Prerequisites
- Windows 10 (21H2+) or Windows 11 (22H2+) x64
- Local administrator rights for system-wide installation (per-user install does not require elevation)
- 8 GB RAM minimum (16 GB recommended for ARGUS)
- 2 GB free disk space for application + logs + telemetry
Pre-Install Verification
-
Confirm the download source:
https://download.trace-wall.com/(TLS valid, no redirects) -
Note the published metadata: version, file size, SHA-256 checksum
-
Download the installer (
.exe, NSIS-based) -
Verify the checksum:
PowerShell (recommended):
Terminal window Get-FileHash ".\TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe" -Algorithm SHA256Command Prompt:
Terminal window certutil -hashfile "TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe" SHA256 -
Compare character-by-character with the checksum published on the download page and in the release notes.
-
If mismatch: delete the file, re-download, re-verify. If persistent, contact TraceWall support.
Installation Modes
Per-User (Default, Recommended)
- Installs to
%LOCALAPPDATA%\TraceWall - No UAC prompt (unless Controlled Folder Access blocks)
- Auto-updates without elevation
- User-specific Start Menu shortcut
System-Wide (All Users)
- Installs to
C:\Program Files\TraceWall - Requires UAC elevation
- Updates require elevation
- Shared Start Menu shortcut
Choose per-user unless your environment mandates system-wide deployment (e.g., VDI golden image, shared workstation).
Step-by-Step Installation
- Close any running TraceWall instances.
- Run the installer — double-click the
.exeor invoke from terminal:Terminal window .\TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe - Select install scope — “Current user” (default) or “All users”.
- Confirm destination — default is recommended.
- Complete setup — installer registers the application, creates shortcuts, configures the background sensor service.
- Launch TraceWall Desktop — via Start Menu or
tracewallcommand.
Post-Install Verification
- Open TraceWall Desktop.
- Local Sensor panel (left sidebar) should show:
- Hostname, OS version, uptime
- Network interfaces with IPs, MACs, gateway
- CPU, memory, disk utilization
- Settings → About — confirm version matches downloaded release.
- Settings → Sensor — confirm “Local telemetry” is Enabled.
Microsoft SmartScreen
The installer is not commercially code-signed. SmartScreen will likely show:
“Windows protected your PC. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting.”
Correct Response
- Click “More info”
- Verify file name matches official release
- Verify SHA-256 checksum (see above)
- Click “Run anyway”
See SmartScreen Troubleshooting for detailed guidance.
Silent / Unattended Install
For deployment via SCCM, Intune, GPO, or script:
TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe /S /CURRENTUSER/S— silent (no UI)/CURRENTUSER— per-user (omit for/ALLUSERSsystem-wide)/D=C:\Custom\Path— custom destination (must be last parameter)
Exit codes: 0 = success, non-zero = failure (check %TEMP%\TraceWall-Install.log).
Updating
- Per-user: Auto-update checks on launch; downloads and applies silently.
- System-wide: Auto-update downloads; prompts for elevation to apply.
- Manual: Download new version from download.trace-wall.com, verify, run installer (upgrades in-place).
Uninstalling
- Settings → About → Uninstall (per-user)
- Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps → TraceWall → Uninstall
- Silent:
"%LOCALAPPDATA%\TraceWall\uninstall.exe" /Sor"C:\Program Files\TraceWall\uninstall.exe" /S
Uninstall removes application, sensor service, and user data. Logs and telemetry database are preserved in %LOCALAPPDATA%\TraceWall\data for forensic continuity.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Installer won’t launch | SmartScreen block | Click “More info” → “Run anyway” after checksum verification |
| ”Access denied” on system install | No admin rights | Run as Administrator or choose per-user |
| Sensor shows no interfaces | Npcap missing | Repair install or install Npcap manually (WinPcap API-compatible mode) |
| Version mismatch after update | Stale shortcut | Re-launch from Start Menu; old shortcut may point to previous version |
Related Pages
- Download & Verification — Source, checksums, signing status
- SmartScreen Troubleshooting — Detailed SmartScreen guidance
- System Requirements — Hardware and network prerequisites
- Settings — Configure sensor, integrations, updates, retention