---
title: "Windows 7 and 8"
description: "Install the TapHome app on Windows 7 or 8 from a ZIP archive: unpack, pass the SmartScreen warning with Run anyway, Vista compatibility mode on Windows 7."
url: "https://taphome.com/en/docs/applications/windows-7-8/"
language: en
lastmod: 2025-11-17
generator: hugo
ai:
  topics: ["windows-installation","manual-installation","compatibility-mode","smartscreen","troubleshooting"]
  questions: ["How do I install TapHome on Windows 7 or Windows 8?","Where can I download the TapHome app for Windows 7 and 8?","How do I bypass the Windows SmartScreen warning for TapHome?","What compatibility mode does TapHome need on Windows 7?","How do I update TapHome manually on Windows 7 or 8?","What is the difference between TapHome Official and TapHome Next?","How to fix blurry display in TapHome on Windows?"]
---

# Windows 7 and 8

Installing the TapHome app on Windows 7 and Windows 8

Last updated: 2025-11-17

For Windows 7 and Windows 8, the TapHome app is not available in the Microsoft Store. It must be installed manually from a ZIP archive.

## Downloading the application

1. Download the appropriate version from [Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/185asuGnVb320XuPvgT0yacH0G2yh-NP9)
2. Choose:
   - **TapHome Official** - stable version for end users
   - **TapHome Next** - beta version with upcoming features

## Installation

1. **Extract all files** from the ZIP archive into a folder of your choice (e.g., `C:\Program Files\TapHome`)
2. Open the extracted folder

## First launch

1. Run the file **TapHome.Client.Desktop.Wpf.exe**

> [!WARNING]
> On first run, Windows will display a SmartScreen warning. This is normal behavior for apps downloaded from outside the Microsoft Store.

2. Windows will display a warning: **"Windows protected your PC"**
3. Click **"More info"**
4. Click **"Run anyway"**

![Run anyway](https://taphome.com/documentation/applications/run-anyway.gif)

## Setup for Windows 7

> [!NOTE]
> For Windows 7, you need to set the application to Windows Vista compatibility mode.

![Vista Compatibility](https://taphome.com/documentation/applications/Vista_Compatibility.webp)

1. Right-click the file **TapHome.Client.Desktop.Wpf.exe**
2. Select **Properties**
3. Go to the **Compatibility** tab
4. Check **"Run this program in compatibility mode for:"**
5. From the dropdown menu, select **Windows Vista**
6. Click **OK**

## Using the application

After successful startup:
1. Sign in to your TapHome account
2. Choose your location
3. The application is ready to use

> [!TIP]
> For easier access, create a desktop shortcut to the file **TapHome.Client.Desktop.Wpf.exe**.

## Updating

The application does not update automatically. To install a newer version:
1. Download the latest version from [Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/185asuGnVb320XuPvgT0yacH0G2yh-NP9)
2. Close the running application
3. Replace the old files with the new ones
4. Run the application again

## Troubleshooting

### The application won't start on Windows 7

- Make sure you have Windows Vista compatibility mode enabled
- Check that all Windows updates are installed
- Try running the application as an **administrator** (Run as administrator)

### The SmartScreen warning appears at every start

- This is normal behavior for apps downloaded from outside the Microsoft Store
- Always click **"More info" → "Run anyway"**

### The application appears blurry

- Right-click **TapHome.Client.Desktop.Wpf.exe**
- Select **Properties → Compatibility**
- Check **"Disable display scaling on high DPI settings"**

**See also** — [Keyboard shortcuts](https://taphome.com/en/docs/applications/keyboard-shortcuts/), [Requirements for Third-Party Devices](https://taphome.com/en/docs/setup/requirements/).