SAMPLEDEX FOR WINDOWS — START HERE FIRST
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BEFORE YOU INSTALL: READ THE WINDOWS PROMPT STEPS BELOW
This release is unsigned. If Windows says "Windows protected your PC" when you
open setup, you will need to choose More info, then Run anyway to start it.
Only do this for a Sampledex download from a source you trust. The prompt does
not appear on every computer; school or work policies may prevent continuing.

1. EXTRACT THE DOWNLOAD
   Right-click the downloaded package and choose Extract All. Open the extracted
   folder. Do not run setup or Sampledex from inside a ZIP preview.

2. START THE INSTALLER AND HANDLE THE WINDOWS PROMPT
   Open the included file whose name ends in Windows-x64-Setup.exe.
   If "Windows protected your PC" appears:
     a. Click More info.
     b. Check that the app name is the Sampledex Setup file you opened.
        This unsigned release may show "Unknown publisher".
     c. Click Run anyway to start the installer.
   If no warning appears, setup opens directly. Follow the setup screens, then
   open Sampledex from the Start menu.

   If Run anyway is unavailable, ask the computer's administrator to review the
   package. Do not disable antivirus or change school/work security policies.
   These steps apply to the unrecognized-app prompt, not a malware detection.

   Setup installs the application, required runtime files, shortcuts and guides
   for your Windows account. No certificate account is required.

3. OPTIONAL: USE THE PORTABLE VERSION INSTEAD
   Extract the included portable Windows ZIP into its own folder and run
   Sampledex.exe. Keep the scanner, DLLs, docs and licenses beside the app.
   The same unrecognized-app prompt can appear on first launch; use step 2
   only if you trust the download and Windows offers that option.
   You only need one setup option: installer or portable.

4. SET UP AUDIO
   On Home, choose Audio / MIDI settings and select an output device and buffer.
   Find the House template, choose Open demo, then press Play or Space.
   On one laptop screen, press F6 for Focus timeline. Click an editor tab when
   needed; F7 shows/hides the editor and F8 shows/hides the browser.
   For audio recording, allow desktop microphone access in Windows Settings.

5. OPEN THE WINDOWS USER GUIDE
   Double-click Windows_User_Guide.html in this folder. It explains the layout,
   resizing, floating and docking panels, tempo and editing tools, recording,
   plug-ins, saving and exporting.
   Installed and portable copies also include the guide in their docs folder.

6. SAVE YOUR WORK
   Save projects in Documents or another folder you own. Use a .sdxp project
   package to keep audio media with the project. Keep a backup before upgrades.
   Windows Build 54 saves project format 13 for the existing Mac Build 51.
   Open older Windows format-14 projects in Build 54, then use Save As to make
   a compatible copy. Keep the original as a backup.
   ZIP the entire .sdxp folder/package, including its media, before transfer.
   Use Save As or back up the entire original package before resaving.
   Open WHATS_NEW.html for the new Steps controls and compatibility details.

The installer supports Windows 10/11 x64 and installs for the current user.
Uninstalling Sampledex leaves your saved projects and user settings in place.
SHA256SUMS.txt lets you check that the release files are intact. A checksum
checks file integrity; it does not identify or verify a publisher.
The source repository name mentions 0.18.7; the current code is version 0.19.0.

Read START_HERE_FIRST.html for clickable guide links and more setup details.
