Installing tak

Takes about a minute. You need Windows 10 (version 1809 or newer) or Windows 11, and no admin rights. A macOS version is coming soon.

Install

1. Download Install tak.exe

   The link is in your purchase email. The file is about 40 MB.

2. Open it

   If Windows shows a blue box saying it protected your PC, click More info, then Run anyway. It appears for new apps that don't yet have a download history with Microsoft.

   Windows protected your PCMicrosoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognised app from starting. More info

   Run anywayDon't run

3. Click Install

   "Start with Windows" is on by default, so tak is there every time you sign in. A desktop shortcut is optional.

4. Click Open tak

   A small chessboard icon appears by the clock. If you don't see it, click the ^ arrow next to the clock and drag the icon onto the taskbar so it stays visible.

Your first board

1. Pick a board

   Go to pinterest.com and pick any board, yours or someone else's. Its address in the browser bar looks like pinterest.com/ana/studio. In the Pinterest app: Share › Copy link.

2. Paste it into tak

   Settings opens on its own the first time. Paste the link, press Enter. tak checks the board and builds your wallpaper in a few seconds.

If tak says it can't find the board, it's probably secret. On Pinterest, open the board, choose Edit board and turn off Keep this board secret.

Removing it

1. Settings › Apps › tak › Uninstall

   tak closes, your previous wallpaper comes back, and its files are deleted. Nothing is left in your startup apps.