Use the Windows portable edition of KanQual

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The Windows portable edition runs from an extracted folder without the KanQual setup wizard. It needs the full bundle and a writable location, not just its executable.

These instructions use filenames from release v0.9.9, checked on October 15, 2026. When installing a newer release, substitute its version number and read its release notes.

1. Download and extract the portable ZIP #

Download from the official github.com/KanQual/kanqual repository. These builds are unsigned, so your operating system may ask you to approve the app. Approve only the KanQual file you intentionally downloaded; an unknown-publisher notice is different from a malware detection.

Open KanQual’s latest GitHub release and download Kanqual_0.9.9_x64_portable.zip from Assets.
Right-click the ZIP and choose Extract All. Select a permanent folder you can write to, such as a KanQual folder in your user directory. Do not launch the app from inside the ZIP.
Open the extracted folder and find kanqual.exe, portable-mode.json, and runtime. The bundle also prepares a data folder; the application creates it if necessary.

2. Approve the unsigned app #

Double-click the downloaded KanQual file. If Windows displays Windows protected your PC, choose More info.
Check that the application shown is the KanQual file you downloaded. An Unknown publisher label is expected for an unsigned build.
If you trust that download, select Run anyway to continue. This approves this launch; you do not need to turn off Microsoft Defender or SmartScreen.

If Run anyway is unavailable, your device may be enforcing Smart App Control or an organization’s application policy. Ask your IT administrator or contact the developer; these instructions do not bypass that policy. If a warning names malware rather than an unrecognized publisher, stop and report it.

3. Launch as your normal Windows user #

Double-click kanqual.exe. Do not use Run as administrator.

4. Understand where your data lives #

With portable-mode.json beside the executable, KanQual stores application data in the adjacent data folder. That folder contains your working installation data, not disposable program files. Keep the marker, executable, runtime, and data together. If you launch the executable without the marker, it can use the regular installed-app data location instead, making your portable projects appear missing.

Use a writable local drive. Avoid running the active database from a cloud-synced or shared network folder. If using removable storage, keep it connected until KanQual has closed and the database has stopped. The portable archive does not make research data safe to remove or copy while the app is running.

Get help #

If you get stuck, email mcansoy@fairfield.edu with your operating system, KanQual version, filename, and exact error message. Remove research data and personal information from any screenshots.