WinDevPilot quickstart

For the Windows 11 x64 portable showcase, version 1.3.28.

WinDevPilot helps you find your apps and choose which ones to update. You don't need to know Python or use the command line.

1. Open it

1. Right-click the downloaded ZIP and choose Extract All…. Pick a folder you can write to, such as one inside Documents.
2. Open the extracted WinDevPilot folder. Keep WinDevPilot.exe, app, and runtime together.
3. Double-click WinDevPilot.exe. There's no installer and no separate Python setup. Launch normally, not with “Run as administrator.” Close any other copy first.

The first scan starts automatically. Let it finish; a busy PC may take a little longer. Scanning doesn't install app updates.

2. Find and open your apps

• All packages shows the apps and tools WinDevPilot has found. This showcase starts in the large-icon gallery; click All packages again to switch between gallery and list.
• Search narrows the view as you type an app's name.
• Double-click an entry to see its details—not to launch it.
• To launch an app, right-click it and choose Run, when available. Or select it and press Ctrl+Enter.

3. Update when you're ready

1. Click Updates and review the checked items. Clear anything you don't want to change.
2. Click Update selected. Watch the progress messages and respond to any installer prompts. Windows may ask for administrator approval for a system-wide update.
3. Let the follow-up scan check the result. If a restart is requested, save your work and restart before trying that update again.

An item marked for review isn't a reason to update everything. Double-click it, read the explanation, and leave it for later if you're unsure.

4. Add your portable apps

Click Scan portables and choose the folder where you keep them. Recognized apps join All packages. Apps added this way are listed for reference; update them manually using their own updater or download page.

Everyday use

• Click Scan whenever you want fresh results.
• Not seeing an expected app or update? Clear the search, check All packages, and read any scan messages. Coverage depends on the package tools already installed; you don't need to install every supported tool.
• This download is unsigned, so Windows may show a reputation warning. Confirm it came from the WinDevPilot download page; don't disable security protections to run it.

History and basic settings are saved for your Windows account. This showcase starts in the large-icon gallery each time. You can move the entire extracted program folder later; its saved data remains in %LOCALAPPDATA%\WinDevPilot. Deleting the program folder leaves that data in place.

That's enough to get started. The full README is there for advanced features and troubleshooting—you don't need to read it first.