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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

  1. Confirm the download source: https://download.trace-wall.com/ (TLS valid, no redirects)

  2. Note the published metadata: version, file size, SHA-256 checksum

  3. Download the installer (.exe, NSIS-based)

  4. Verify the checksum:

    PowerShell (recommended):

    Terminal window
    Get-FileHash ".\TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe" -Algorithm SHA256

    Command Prompt:

    Terminal window
    certutil -hashfile "TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe" SHA256
  5. Compare character-by-character with the checksum published on the download page and in the release notes.

  6. If mismatch: delete the file, re-download, re-verify. If persistent, contact TraceWall support.

Installation Modes

  • 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

  1. Close any running TraceWall instances.
  2. Run the installer — double-click the .exe or invoke from terminal:
    Terminal window
    .\TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe
  3. Select install scope — “Current user” (default) or “All users”.
  4. Confirm destination — default is recommended.
  5. Complete setup — installer registers the application, creates shortcuts, configures the background sensor service.
  6. Launch TraceWall Desktop — via Start Menu or tracewall command.

Post-Install Verification

  1. Open TraceWall Desktop.
  2. Local Sensor panel (left sidebar) should show:
    • Hostname, OS version, uptime
    • Network interfaces with IPs, MACs, gateway
    • CPU, memory, disk utilization
  3. Settings → About — confirm version matches downloaded release.
  4. 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

  1. Click “More info”
  2. Verify file name matches official release
  3. Verify SHA-256 checksum (see above)
  4. Click “Run anyway”

See SmartScreen Troubleshooting for detailed guidance.

Silent / Unattended Install

For deployment via SCCM, Intune, GPO, or script:

Terminal window
TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe /S /CURRENTUSER
  • /S — silent (no UI)
  • /CURRENTUSER — per-user (omit for /ALLUSERS system-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" /S or "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

SymptomLikely CauseResolution
Installer won’t launchSmartScreen blockClick “More info” → “Run anyway” after checksum verification
”Access denied” on system installNo admin rightsRun as Administrator or choose per-user
Sensor shows no interfacesNpcap missingRepair install or install Npcap manually (WinPcap API-compatible mode)
Version mismatch after updateStale shortcutRe-launch from Start Menu; old shortcut may point to previous version