Short answer
Press Win+R, paste winget install -e --id Upscayl.Upscayl --accept-source-agreements --accept-package-agreements and press Enter. Windows installs Upscayl 2.15.0 for all users after one administrator prompt. Prefer a file? Download upscayl-2.15.0-win.exe from GitHub instead. Either way you need Windows 10 or later and a Vulkan-capable graphics card.
How do I install Upscayl on Windows?
- Copy the winget command. Copy the full winget command, with both agreement flags, from the install box beside this guide.
- Open the Run box. Press Win+R, paste with Ctrl+V and press Enter. A console window opens and runs the install.
- Approve the administrator prompt. Upscayl installs for every user on the PC, so Windows asks once for permission. Click Yes; the window closes when the install finishes.
- Open Upscayl from Start. Press the Windows key, type Upscayl and press Enter. The first launch shows a short welcome dialog.
- Choose the two welcome switches. In the welcome dialog, leave Auto Update Upscayl on and decide whether to keep Help Improve Upscayl on, then click Get Started.
Which Upscayl file should I install on Windows?
The installer is the right file for almost everyone. Upscayl’s build configuration produces two Windows files per release: an NSIS setup program (upscayl-…-win.exe) and a portable ZIP (upscayl-…-win.zip). The setup program is an assisted installer rather than a one-click one: it lets you change the install folder and installs for every user on the PC, which is why it asks for administrator rights. The ZIP holds the same application unpacked; extract it to a folder you control and run Upscayl.exe from there. Neither file installs anything besides Upscayl.
What does the winget command actually do?
The winget command downloads the same GitHub installer and checks it before running it. The winget installer manifest lists the official GitHub URL, installer type nullsoft, scope machine and the file’s SHA-256, and winget refuses to run a file whose hash differs. The two --accept-… flags answer the source and package agreement questions in advance, so the Run box window can finish without any typing. To update later, run winget upgrade Upscayl.Upscayl the same way.
Why does Upscayl open but not upscale anything?
Installing proves the app launches, not that your graphics card can process images. The Upscayl README states that a Vulkan-compatible GPU is required and that many integrated GPUs do not work. Before you spend time on settings, run the Vulkan GPU check: try one small image and read the log in Settings. If it fails there, reinstalling the app will not help; the fix is a graphics driver or a different GPU.
What changes after the first launch?
Two switches in the welcome dialog affect what the app sends over the network. Auto Update Upscayl is on by default and makes the app check GitHub for new releases and notify you. Help Improve Upscayl is also on by default; it sends anonymous usage data, such as your GPU model and daily use, to the Upscayl team. Both switches stay available in the Settings tab afterwards. Your pictures themselves are processed on your own computer and are never uploaded by the app.
| Route | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
winget Upscayl.Upscayl | The same upscayl-2.15.0-win.exe installer, hash-checked by winget, installed without questions | Most people: one command, no browser download |
GitHub win.exe installer | The setup wizard: choose the folder, then install for all users | Picking the install folder yourself |
GitHub win.zip | The same app unpacked, with no installer and no Start menu entry | A USB drive, or a PC where you cannot install software |
| upscayl.org download page | Links to the same GitHub files | Starting from the official website |
Sources: the winget installer manifest and Upscayl's build configuration (package.json) at the checked release.
Frequently asked questions
What is the winget ID for Upscayl?
The Windows Package Manager ID is Upscayl.Upscayl. The full command is winget install -e --id Upscayl.Upscayl --accept-source-agreements --accept-package-agreements. The manifest points at the official GitHub installer and records its SHA-256, so winget refuses a file that does not match.
Why does Windows show a SmartScreen warning for Upscayl?
The Upscayl README says Windows may show SmartScreen or an unverified-publisher dialog during setup. If the file came from the official GitHub release or winget, click More info and then Run anyway. Compare the SHA-256 on the download page first if you want proof the file is unmodified.
Where can I download Upscayl on Windows?
Only from the project's GitHub releases, the download page on upscayl.org, or winget. All three deliver the same win.exe installer. Skip download portals, and ignore the Source code archives and blockmap files on the release page; they are not the app.