Installing Desktop Plan
This chapter covers installing Desktop Plan on Windows: the choice between the installer and the portable copy, and what happens to your plans and settings when you install a newer version or uninstall. On a Mac, see Desktop Plan on a Mac.
What you need#
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC (64-bit).
- No administrator rights. Desktop Plan installs just for you.
- An internet connection only for your licence, updates and the web pages Desktop Plan opens, such as this guide (F1). Network and licence requirements for IT teams lists every connection. Desktop Plan never sends your plans anywhere.
Installer or portable copy#
Desktop Plan comes in two forms. Both are the same program.
| Installer (recommended) | Portable copy | |
|---|---|---|
| File | DesktopPlan-<version>-setup.exe | DesktopPlan-<version>-portable.exe |
| How it runs | Installs once, then starts from the Start menu or desktop shortcut | Runs straight away when you double-click it. Nothing is installed. |
| Double-click a plan file to open it | Yes | No (use File › Open instead) |
| Uninstall from Windows Settings | Yes | Not needed: just delete the file |
| Updates itself | Yes | No: you download the new copy yourself |
Your settings and your licence are kept separately from the program. If you start with the portable copy and later install, or the other way round, nothing is lost.
Install Desktop Plan#
Double-click the installer file you downloaded.
Follow the steps on screen. You do not need to be an administrator.
When it finishes, open Desktop Plan from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
To make your first plan, go to Getting started.
Installing a newer version, or uninstalling#
If you run a newer installer while Desktop Plan is already installed, it may offer to Uninstall before installing. Either choice is fine. If you choose to uninstall first, the uninstaller opens, with the box described next.
The uninstaller has one box, Delete the application data. Leave it unticked, especially when you are installing a newer version.
| Unticked (recommended) | Ticked | |
|---|---|---|
Your plan files (.dplan) | Kept | Kept |
| Your licence | Kept | Kept |
| Your settings and window position | Kept | Deleted |
| Saved copies of plans that were open when Desktop Plan closed unexpectedly | Kept | Deleted |
The plans you save yourself, in Documents, on a shared drive or anywhere else you choose, are never deleted. Tick the box only if you are removing Desktop Plan for good and want your settings removed too. Your licence stays either way, so installing again later keeps you activated.
Once installed, Desktop Plan keeps itself up to date from inside the app. See Licence and updates.