---
title: Windows installer — install Meridian | Meridian
description: Install Meridian on Windows 10/11 64-bit: SmartScreen handling, install path rules, and first-launch checks.
canonical: https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/protocol/windows-installer
updated: 2026-10-13
---

# Windows installer

Run the 64-bit installer, keep the default path, and confirm first launch before firmware.

## Facts (2026-10-13)

- **OS:** Windows 10 / 11, 64-bit only
- **Source:** Free build from /download
- **Path rule:** Default path; no OneDrive or network drives
- **Next step:** Install firmware

## Procedure

Precondition: 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 with admin rights for the install step.

1. [Download Meridian](/download) and run the installer. If SmartScreen appears, choose More info, then Run anyway — the binary is unsigned by design at this stage.

2. Keep the default install path. Paths under OneDrive, Dropbox, or network shares cause lock and sync errors during shader-cache writes.

3. Launch once and confirm the version string in About. Do not index games yet — firmware comes first.

## First-launch checks

- The launcher opens without a missing-DLL error. If one appears, stop and follow [Missing runtime](/protocol/missing-runtime): Microsoft's official Visual C++ 2015–2022 x64 runtime.

- The Vulkan check passes. If it fails, see [Vulkan check](/reference/vulkan-check) before continuing.

- Windows Defender exclusions are optional but reduce scan stalls on the cache folder — same page as the Vulkan check references.

## After install

Continue to [Install firmware](/protocol/install-firmware): fetch the official PS5UPDATE.PUP from Sony's system-software page and apply it with File then Install Firmware. Own your library — Meridian ships with no games and no firmware.

## FAQ

### Is the installer free?

Yes. The Windows build is free from [Download Meridian](/download) for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11.

### Why does SmartScreen warn?

The build is currently unsigned. Use More info → Run anyway, and verify you downloaded from this site.

### Can I install to an external drive?

Install the launcher on an internal drive. Game dumps may live on a fast external, but the cache folder must stay local.

## Related

- [Protocol](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/protocol)
- [Missing runtime](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/protocol/missing-runtime)
- [Install firmware](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/protocol/install-firmware)
- [Vulkan check](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/reference/vulkan-check)
- [Minimum and recommended](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/hardware/minimum-recommended)

## Download

Free Windows app: [Download Meridian](https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/download)

Markdown mirror: https://ps5emulatorwindows.com/protocol/windows-installer.md