Installing the Desktop Client
The desktop client is a Windows application installed from an MSI. It installs into your own user profile, so you do not need administrator rights and do not need to raise a ticket with IT to get it or to update it.
What you need
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later |
| Architecture | 64-bit (x64) |
| .NET | .NET Framework 4.8 — included with Windows 10 version 1903 and later |
| Rights | None beyond your own account |
On any current Windows machine the .NET requirement is already met, because 4.8 ships with the operating system. Only quite old Windows 10 builds need it installed separately.
There is no 32-bit or ARM build. On a machine that cannot run the desktop client, use eConnect in a browser instead — it needs no installation at all.
Installing
- Get the installer from your administrator, or from the Download desktop client option on the sign-in screen if your server offers it.
- Run the MSI and follow the prompts.
- Start eConnect Core from the Start menu.
- Point it at your server the first time it opens — see Signing In.
The installer is signed by eConnect, Inc. Windows will show that publisher name; if it does not, stop and check with your administrator where the file came from.
Updating
Because the client installs per user, updates apply the same way the original install did and do not require an administrator. The application tells you when a new version is available, offering Install & Restart.
Mid-shift is rarely the moment for that, so the prompt can be dismissed with its ✕. It comes back about four hours later rather than immediately, which is long enough to finish what you were doing and short enough that an update is not forgotten for a week.
Choosing between desktop and browser
Both run the same application and show the same data. The difference that matters is video:
| Desktop client | Browser | |
|---|---|---|
| Live and recorded video | Yes | Refreshing still images only |
| Installation | MSI, per user | None |
| Operating system | Windows 10+ | Any |
| Pop-out windows | Yes | Yes, best when installed as an app |
If your work involves watching video, use the desktop client. If you mostly search, analyse, run dashboards or work cases, the browser is equally capable and gets you working immediately. See Using eConnect in a Browser for the detail.
If the installer will not run
- Windows blocks it. Check the publisher shows as eConnect, Inc. before allowing it.
- It fails part-way. Confirm the machine is 64-bit Windows 10 or later.
- It installs but will not start. Confirm .NET Framework 4.8 is present — on Windows 10 builds before 1903 it may need installing.
More in Troubleshooting.