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Installation Guide

FolderRewind is distributed through three channels: Microsoft Store, MSI, and an MSIX sideload package.

:::tip Recommended Use Microsoft Store whenever it is available. Installation is simple and the Store manages later updates. :::

:::warning Do not mix channels Do not install or run the Store, MSI, and MSIX versions side by side. MSI and MSIX/Store use different data directories, and switching channels does not migrate configs, history, or plugins automatically. :::

Choose a channel​

ChannelBest forInstallationImportant note
Microsoft StoreMost usersOne-click Store installRecommended and easiest to keep updated
MSIGeneral users who cannot use StoreRun the .msiThis distribution format is still under testing; the installer is not signed with a trusted Authenticode certificate
MSIX (.7z)Users comfortable with Developer Mode and PowerShellExtract and run install.ps1Requires Developer Mode; closest to the Store build

Choose x64 for most Intel/AMD Windows devices. Choose ARM64 only for Windows on Arm.

Option 1: Microsoft Store​

  1. Open the Microsoft Store page.
  2. Select Install.
  3. Launch FolderRewind from the Start menu.

Option 2: MSI​

  1. Open the latest GitHub Release.

  2. Download the .msi for your architecture and the matching .msi.sha256 file.

  3. In the download directory, run the command below and compare the output with the value in the .sha256 file:

    Get-FileHash .\FolderRewind_*.msi -Algorithm SHA256

  4. Run the MSI and complete the wizard. It installs to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\FolderRewind by default, with an option to choose another local directory.

MSI does not require Developer Mode or manual certificate import. Because the installer is not yet signed with a Windows-trusted Authenticode certificate, Windows may show an unknown-publisher or SmartScreen warning. Download only from the official Release and verify the hash first.

Option 3: MSIX sideload package​

  1. Open Windows Settings > System > For Developers and enable Developer Mode.

  2. Open the latest GitHub Release.

  3. Download the .7z for your architecture and the matching .7z.sha256 file.

  4. Verify the download:

    Get-FileHash .\FolderRewind_*.7z -Algorithm SHA256

  5. Extract the .7z, then run the following commands in the extracted directory:

    Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process
    .\install.ps1

  6. Wait for the script to register the certificate and install the MSIX package, then launch FolderRewind from the Start menu.

Set-ExecutionPolicy applies only to the current PowerShell session and does not change the system-wide policy.

Data directories and channel switching​

ChannelConfig and history directory
Store / MSIX%LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\<PackageFamilyName>\LocalState\FolderRewind
MSI%LOCALAPPDATA%\FolderRewind

The directory contains config.json, history.json, and plugins. Before switching channels:

  1. Exit FolderRewind completely.
  2. Back up the entire FolderRewind data directory for the current channel.
  3. Uninstall the old channel.
  4. Install the new channel, then import or copy only data you have reviewed by following the Data Migration Guide.

Do not allow two installations to operate on the same active backup workflow.

Upgrading from an older release​

Before upgrading to 1.8, read v1.8 Upgrade and Startup Recovery. Complete at least one backup-and-restore test with non-production data before protecting important files.

If v1.8.0 cannot start because of a legacy language value, do not delete config.json. Upgrade to v1.8.1 or change only GlobalSettings.Language as described in the recovery guide.

Validate immediately after installation​

  1. Create a config that uses a test directory.
  2. Complete one manual backup and one test restore.
  3. Run Automatic Core Feature Validation in Settings.
  4. Confirm the destination is writable and history is generated before enabling automation.

System requirements​

ItemRequirement
OSWindows 10 1809 or later / Windows 11
Architecturex64 / ARM64
Runtime.NET 10 (bundled)
Disk spaceAbout 80 MB, excluding backup data

Next steps​