---
title: Installing PingID desktop authentication on Windows
description: Install the PingID desktop app on your Windows machine so that you can pair it for secure authentication.
component: pingid-user-guide
page_id: pingid-user-guide:secure_authentication_with_pingid:pid_setting_up_desktop_app_for_windows
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingid-user-guide/secure_authentication_with_pingid/pid_setting_up_desktop_app_for_windows.html
revdate: April 16, 2024
section_ids:
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
  result: Result:
  result-2: Result:
  result-3: Result:
  result-4: Result:
  next-steps: Next steps
---

# Installing PingID desktop authentication on Windows

Install the PingID desktop app on your Windows machine so that you can pair it for secure authentication.

## About this task

To start using PingID desktop app on your Windows machine, you need to:

1. Download and install PingID desktop app.

2. Pair PingID desktop app with your account.

After you have installed and paired your device, you can use PingID desktop app to authenticate when access your account using a web browser, your VPN, or a different Windows login machine remotely, using RDP.

## Steps

1. Download [PingID desktop app for Windows](https://downloads.pingidentity.com/pingid/pc-client/PingID.exe), and click **Save**.

2. To install the PingID desktop app:

   1. Click the `pingID.exe` download file to launch the PingID desktop app installer.

   2. In the **Select install mode** window, choose the relevant option:

      * **Install for me only**: install the desktop app on your local machine.

      * **Install for all users**: For administrators only. Allows administrators to install the desktop app on multiple machines concurrently.

        ![A screen capture of the User Account Control dialog and installation confirmation request, with the options Install for all users and Install for me only showing.](_images/lyp1683020561375.png)

        ### Result:

        The **PingID Setup** wizard opens.

   3. Review the Software License Agreement and select **I accept the agreement**. Click **Next**.

      ![A screen capture of the License Agreement dialog.](_images/uxf1674146268663.png)

      ### Result:

      The **License Agreement** window opens.

   4. Click **Browse** and select the folder in which you want to install PingID and then click **Next**.

      ![A screen capture of the Select Destination Location showing the Browse button, enabling you to select a different installation folder, if required.](_images/kff1674146376317.png)

      ### Result:

      The **Configure PingID** window opens.

   5. To synchronize the settings in the domain roaming folder, select the **Support Roaming User Profiles** check box.

      ![her1674146481382](_images/her1674146481382.png)

      |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                |
      | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
      |   | During a manual update or reinstall over an existing installation, the **Configure**PingID**Enable optional features** window does not display. The previous installation setup is maintained. |

   6. To add the **Support Roaming User Profiles** setting to an existing configuration when it was not previously enabled:

      1. Unpair your Windows desktop app.

      2. Uninstall the desktop app, reinstall, and select the **Support Roaming User Profiles** check box to allow the use of roaming user profiles.

   7. Click **Next**.

      ### Result:

   The files are extracted and the PingID desktop app launches.

## Next steps

Pair PingID desktop app with your account. For information, see [Pairing your PingID desktop app](ug_pid_pairing_pid_desktop_app.html).