> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vowen.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Installation

Download and install Vowen on [macOS](#macos-installation) or [Windows](#windows-installation).

## Supported Platforms

| Platform | OS Version                   | Architecture                                 |
| -------- | ---------------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| macOS    | macOS 12 (Monterey) or later | Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel x64 |
| Windows  | Windows 10 or later          | x64                                          |

Vowen does not currently support Linux or Windows on ARM.

## System Requirements

|            | macOS                                                   | Windows                                            |
| ---------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM        | 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended                          | 4 GB minimum, 8 GB recommended                     |
| Disk Space | \~300 MB for the app, plus the model you choose         | \~300 MB for the app, plus the model you choose    |
| GPU        | Not required (Apple Neural Engine handles acceleration) | NVIDIA GPU optional (for local model acceleration) |

Transcription models range from 78 MB (Tiny) to 3 GB (Large v3). You pick one during onboarding and can switch or download more anytime from **Settings > Models**.

## Download

Download the latest version from [vowen.ai](https://vowen.ai).

## macOS Installation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the DMG">
    Double-click the downloaded `.dmg` file to mount it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Drag to Applications">
    Drag the Vowen icon to your Applications folder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch">
    Open Vowen from Applications. macOS may show a standard first-launch warning since the app was downloaded from the internet.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Onboarding">
    The setup wizard walks you through granting permissions, downloading a transcription model, and trying your first dictation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Windows Installation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Run the Installer">
    Double-click the downloaded `.exe` file.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Handle Security Warning">
    If Windows Defender shows "Windows protected your PC", click **More info** then **Run anyway**. This appears because the app is not yet code-signed with an EV certificate.

    <Note>The app is safe to install. To bypass this warning permanently, we would need an Extended Validation (EV) code-signing certificate, which Microsoft requires for SmartScreen reputation. EV certs cost several hundred dollars per year and require a hardware token, which is a meaningful expense for a two-person team. We are working toward getting one for future releases.</Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete Installation">
    Follow the installer prompts. Vowen will be installed and shortcuts created.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch and Onboard">
    Open Vowen and complete the setup wizard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  Vowen is safe to install. Some antivirus software (QuickHeal, Kaspersky) may flag it as suspicious because the app is not yet code-signed. If you see a warning, add Vowen to your antivirus whitelist.
</Check>

## What Gets Installed

* The Vowen application
* Helper binaries for transcription and audio capture
* The Silero Voice Activity Detection (VAD) model

Your transcription model is downloaded during onboarding rather than bundled in the installer. This keeps the download small and lets you pick the model that fits your hardware.

## After Installation

Vowen checks for updates daily and shows a banner in the settings window when a new version is available. See [Updates](/updates) for details on how releases are shipped and how to give us feedback.

## Uninstalling

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    1. Quit Vowen completely (right-click menu bar icon > Quit Vowen)
    2. Drag Vowen from Applications to Trash
    3. To remove all data: delete `~/Library/Application Support/vowen/`
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    1. Quit Vowen completely (right-click tray icon > Quit Vowen)
    2. Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps
    3. Find Vowen and click Uninstall
    4. To remove all data: delete `%APPDATA%/vowen/`
  </Tab>
</Tabs>