Install guide

Helix on Windows

From buying a license to your first encrypted message — start to finish, nothing skipped. Takes about 5 minutes.

Windows macOS Linux Android iPhone / iPad

Buy a license

On the pricing page, choose a tier (Core, Operator or Sovereign) and pay with BTC, ETH or USDT. No account, no email, no name. The moment your payment confirms on-chain, your license key appears on screen.

Helix is a closed network — everyone you talk to also runs Helix. Each license includes one desktop seat and one mobile seat.

Get your download + key

With your license you receive a private download link, the file's SHA-256 checksum, and your key in the format HELIX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Builds are issued to license holders — not posted on the open internet.

Save your license key like a seed phrase. There is no account and no reset. Lose it and it cannot be re-issued.

Verify the download

Always confirm the file is genuine before running it. Open PowerShell where you saved it:

Get-FileHash .\helix-windows.zip -Algorithm SHA256

Compare the result to the published SHA256SUMS value. If it doesn't match, do not run it — re-download.

Install (portable — no installer)

  1. Right-click helix-windows.zip → Extract All to any folder (a USB stick works too).
  2. Open the folder and run helix.exe. The native crypto library ships beside it — keep the files together.
  3. Windows SmartScreen may warn that the publisher is unknown (the build is intentionally unsigned). Click More info → Run anyway.
Portable by design: nothing is written to the registry or Program Files. Delete the folder and it's gone.

First run — set your unlock secret

Helix has no ordinary login and no "wrong password" message. On first run you set a private unlock secret; only that reveals the real app. To anyone else the device gives nothing away.

There is no recovery for your unlock secret. It isn't stored anywhere we can read. Choose something you'll never type by accident but can always recall.

Activate your license

Inside the app, go to Account → Activate, paste your HELIX-… key, and confirm. The device claims the desktop seat automatically. Repeat on your phone to claim the mobile seat.

Configure your protection

  • VPN & onion network — pick an exit country; traffic routes through the onion network, fail-closed.
  • Physical Meeting — one tap kills the mic, camera and GPS for sensitive meetings.
  • Disappearing messages (or Compliance mode if you're a regulated professional who must retain records).

Start using it

  • Add people — send an invite or scan a contact's QR. Outsiders can't reach you; you choose who's in.
  • Message, call & video — triple-encrypted, over our own network.
  • Files — share contracts/media end-to-end encrypted, stored only on devices you control.
  • Wallet — your self-custody BTC/ETH/USDT, keys sealed on the device.

Troubleshooting

SmartScreen blocks it

Expected — the build is unsigned on purpose. More info → Run anyway. Verify the checksum (step 3) if you want certainty it's genuine.

"Missing DLL" or it won't start

Keep every file from the zip together in one folder — the native library must sit beside helix.exe.

I can't message someone

They must also run Helix and be added to your network. There are no outside contacts by design.

New PC

Install on the new machine and activate the same key — it rolls the desktop seat over and deactivates the old one. You don't need the old PC.

Get your license