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TraceWall Desktop V3 AI

Windows Server 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.

Supported Versions

VersionDesktop ExperienceServer Core
Windows Server 2019✅ Tested❌ Not supported
Windows Server 2022✅ Tested❌ Not supported
Windows Server 2025🔄 In validation❌ Not supported

Server Core is not supported — TraceWall Desktop is an Electron-based GUI application and requires a graphical shell.

Prerequisites

  • Windows Server 2019 or 2022 with Desktop Experience installed
  • Local Administrator rights (installation is per-machine only)
  • 8 GB RAM minimum (16 GB recommended for ARGUS)
  • 2 GB free disk space for application + logs + telemetry
  • RDP or console access for interactive session

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 published checksum.

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

Installation Steps

  1. Close any running TraceWall instances.
  2. Run the installer elevated — right-click → “Run as administrator” or invoke from elevated terminal:
    Terminal window
    .\TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe
  3. Confirm UAC prompt — installation is per-machine only (no per-user option on Server).
  4. Confirm destination — default C:\Program Files\TraceWall is recommended.
  5. Complete setup — installer registers the application, creates Start Menu shortcuts (all users), 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 should show:
    • Hostname, OS version (Server), 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.

Key Differences from Windows Desktop

AspectWindows DesktopWindows Server
Install scopePer-user or per-machinePer-machine only
ElevationOptional (per-user)Required (always)
Auto-updateSilent (per-user)Prompts for elevation
SensorStandard user sessionRequires interactive session
ARGUSFully supportedSame limits, same RAM/GPU needs
Service modeNot availableNot available (runs in user session)
Server CoreN/ANot supported

Session Requirements

TraceWall Desktop does not run as a Windows service. It runs in the interactive user session. This means:

  • A user must be logged in (locally or via RDP) for telemetry collection.
  • If the session is disconnected, the sensor pauses; reconnecting resumes it.
  • For continuous operation, consider a dedicated “monitoring” account with auto-logon and locked console, or use RDP session persistence.

ARGUS on Server

ARGUS Local AI functions identically to Desktop. Requirements:

  • 16 GB RAM minimum (8 GB base + 8 GB ARGUS)
  • NVIDIA GPU with 8+ GB VRAM (CUDA) recommended for inference performance
  • CPU with AVX2 support required

Microsoft SmartScreen

The installer is not commercially code-signed. SmartScreen will likely warn. Follow the same verification process as Windows Desktop.

Silent / Unattended Install

Terminal window
TraceWall-Desktop-V3-x.x.x-Setup.exe /S /ALLUSERS
  • /S — silent (no UI)
  • /ALLUSERS — system-wide (required on Server)
  • /D=C:\Custom\Path — custom destination (must be last)

Updating

  • Auto-update downloads new version; prompts for elevation to apply (per-machine).
  • Manual: download new version, verify checksum, run installer (upgrades in-place).

Uninstalling

  • Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps → TraceWall → Uninstall (requires Admin)
  • Silent: "C:\Program Files\TraceWall\uninstall.exe" /S (elevated)

Uninstall removes application, sensor service, and user data. Logs and telemetry database preserved in %LOCALAPPDATA%\TraceWall\data per user.

Troubleshooting

SymptomLikely CauseResolution
Installer won’t launchSmartScreen block”More info” → “Run anyway” after checksum verification
”Access denied”Not elevatedRun as Administrator
Sensor shows no interfacesNpcap missingRepair install or install Npcap manually (WinPcap API-compatible mode)
No telemetry after RDP disconnectSession disconnectedSensor pauses on disconnect; reconnect to resume
Version mismatch after updateStale shortcutRe-launch from Start Menu