Granular Granular

Install Granular on Windows (beta)

In short

Download the Granular .exe, click past the one-time Windows security warning (the beta isn’t code-signed yet), install it, and open Granular from the Start menu. Free to start.

Updated 2026-09-12

This is a beta. The Windows version of Granular is brand new and a little newer than the Mac build, so expect the occasional rough edge. Before you start, it’s worth skimming Granular on Windows: what to expect.

What you need

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit. That covers nearly every Windows PC made in the last decade. ARM-based laptops (for example, ones with a Snapdragon chip) run Granular through Windows’ built-in emulation, so it works there too, just a little slower.
  • A few minutes. There’s nothing to configure to get started — you can add the optional extras below later.

Download Granular

Granular for Windows is a single installer file. Get the latest build here:

Download Granular for Windows (beta)

The download is a standard Windows installer (granular-win.exe). It is free to start — you can use Granular with your own AI login before deciding on a plan.

If your browser says the file is “uncommonly downloaded”: that’s normal for a brand-new app that not many people have downloaded yet. Choose Keep to finish the download.

Get past the Windows security warning

The first time you run the installer, Windows shows a blue box titled “Windows protected your PC” (this is a feature called SmartScreen). To continue:

  1. Click More info.
  2. Click Run anyway.

Why this happens, in plain English: the Windows beta is not code-signed yet, so Windows doesn’t yet recognise who published it and shows this caution. It is not a virus warning, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with the file. Code signing — which makes this box go away — is planned. You’ll only see this warning once per install.

Install and open

  1. Run the installer and follow the short setup wizard. Granular installs just for your user account, so there’s no administrator password to enter.
  2. Open Granular from the Start menu — type “Granular” and press Enter.

Two optional extras

Granular works out of the box, but two free tools from other makers unlock specific features. You can install them now or whenever you first need them.

  • Node.js — needed for MCP connectors (the way Granular agents work with outside tools like Notion or Google Drive). Without it, those connectors won’t start. Get it from nodejs.org.
  • Git for Windows — needed for Granular’s Git panel (version history and branch sessions). Without it, the Git panel won’t work. Get it from git-scm.com/download/win.

First run

On first launch Granular helps you connect an AI agent. You can sign in with an existing Claude or Codex login, or add the Granular AI add-on for hosted models with no setup. Then you’re ready for your first session.

Frequently asked questions

Why does Windows warn me about the download?
The Windows beta isn’t code-signed yet, so Windows doesn’t recognise the publisher. That’s why the browser may call the file “uncommonly downloaded” and why SmartScreen shows the blue “Windows protected your PC” box on first run. It’s not a virus warning. Signing is planned.
How much does Granular cost?
Granular is free to start. Pro unlocks higher limits and more sessions; an optional AI add-on provides hosted models. See the plans.
How do I update Granular on Windows?
During the beta, Granular tells you when an update is ready and you download and run the new installer yourself, rather than the automatic install used on Mac. See Granular on Windows for details.

Related

Granular on Windows: what to expect
What’s different in the Windows beta — keyboard shortcuts, how updates work, the one-time security warning, and the rough edges to know about.
Your first session in Granular
Start a session, chat your goal in plain English, and watch an AI agent do the work in a real terminal. Here is exactly what to expect the first time.
Connect an LLM or use the Granular AI add-on
Use your own Claude or Codex login, or add the Granular AI add-on for hosted models with no setup. Here is how to choose and switch models.