How to Install Beam on Windows — Step by Step
Beam is available on Windows as a standard installer. The whole process takes about 2 minutes. This guide walks you through every step — including the Windows SmartScreen prompt you'll see on first launch.
Step 1: Download the Installer
- Go to getbeam.dev
- Click the Windows download button
- Save Beam-v3.0.1-setup.exe to your Downloads folder
Step 2: Handle the SmartScreen Warning
When you double-click the installer, Windows Defender SmartScreen will likely show a blue dialog that says “Windows protected your PC.” This looks alarming, but it's completely normal.
Why does this happen?
SmartScreen flags apps that don't have an Extended Validation (EV) code signing certificate — which costs $300–600/year. Most indie developer tools show this warning. Beam is built by NextUp Technologies LLC and is used by developers worldwide. The app is safe to install.
Here’s what you’ll see:
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app from starting. Running this app might put your PC at risk.
Click “More info” — this reveals the “Run anyway” button
Here’s how to get past it:
You’ll see “Windows protected your PC” with only a “Don’t run” button. Look for the small “More info” text link underneath the warning message and click it.
A “Run anyway” button appears. Click it. This tells Windows you trust the publisher.
The Beam installer launches. You’ll only see this SmartScreen prompt once — future updates won’t trigger it again.
Step 3: Run the Installer
The Beam installer (NSIS) is straightforward:
- Choose your install directory (defaults to your user folder — no admin privileges required)
- Optionally create a desktop shortcut
- Click Install and wait a few seconds
- Beam launches automatically when done
You can also find Beam in your Start Menu after installation.
Step 4: Create Your First Project
On first launch, Beam will ask you to create a project. Give it a name and a working directory — this is where your terminal sessions will open by default. You can create more projects later with Ctrl+L.
From there, you're ready to go. Open tabs with Ctrl+T, split panes with Ctrl+Shift+T, and jump between anything with Ctrl+P.
Next: Set Up AI Agents
If you want to run Claude Code, OpenAI Codex, or OpenClaw in Beam, check out the Agentic Engineering on Windows guide — it covers installing Claude Code and setting up a multi-agent workspace.
Troubleshooting
SmartScreen completely blocks the app
If SmartScreen won't show "More info" at all (this can happen on managed corporate machines), try this: right-click Beam-v3.0.1-setup.exe in File Explorer → click Properties → check the "Unblock" checkbox at the bottom of the General tab → click Apply → double-click the installer again.
Antivirus flags the installer
Some antivirus software flags unsigned Windows executables as potentially unwanted. This is a false positive. You can add an exception for Beam-v3.0.1-setup.exe in your antivirus settings, or temporarily disable real-time protection during installation.
Need help?
If you run into any issues not covered here, email frank@nextuptechnologies.co and we'll get you sorted.
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