Install STORM on Windows

Set up a complete local test system with the Windows All-in-One installer.

STORM is pre-release software. Known bugs and incomplete workflows remain. Install it on a spare test computer and do not use it for production or official business data yet.
ONE WINDOWS INSTALLER
The App, API, and database—set up together

The All-in-One installer prepares PostgreSQL 16, the local STORM API, the Windows App, the first site, and your first Administrator account. You do not need to install or connect these parts separately.

Open the download page
STORM AppOperator workspace
Local APIWindows service
PostgreSQL 16Local database
Before you begin
Windows 10 or 1164-bit Windows computer
Administrator accessRequired to install services
2 GB free spaceMore is needed as data grows
A password managerFor the recovery password
1. Choose the installer
Recommended
Online installer

The smaller download. Setup retrieves and validates any missing PostgreSQL and Microsoft runtime components while it runs. Keep the computer online until installation finishes.

Download Online
Offline installer

The larger package includes the required PostgreSQL and Microsoft runtime installers. After the file is downloaded, the STORM installation can finish without internet access.

Download Offline
Verify the download when possible Compare the file's SHA-256 value with the published checksum list. In PowerShell, use Get-FileHash .\STORM-Windows-AIO-Online.exe -Algorithm SHA256.
2. Start setup
  1. Double-click the downloaded installer.
  2. Approve the Windows Administrator prompt. The preview installer is not yet code-signed, so Windows may identify the publisher as unknown.
  3. Read the pre-release warning on the first screen.
  4. Optional: select Configuration to change where STORM is installed. The defaults are C:\Program Files\STORM for programs and C:\ProgramData\STORM for the database and protected configuration. The locations must be separate local folders.
  5. Select Install. STORM will open the guided setup after its package preparation completes.
3. Complete the guided setup

Setup presents one decision at a time. Defaults are suitable for most single-computer test installations.

1
Organization or site

Enter the location name operators should recognize. Additional sites can be added later.

2
Administrator account

Create a username and a password of at least 12 printable characters. STORM installs no default account.

3
Security PIN

Choose 4–12 digits. The PIN confirms sensitive Administrator actions after sign-in.

4
Your name

First and last name are optional. Select Skip for now if you prefer to add them later.

5
Database

Keep stormsuite and port 5432 unless they conflict with another local service.

Use Show or Copy to save the generated backup/recovery password. It is not your STORM sign-in password.
6
Local API

Keep port 5215 unless it is already in use. The API and PostgreSQL ports must be different.

7
Review and install

Review the site, account, database, ports, and package mode. Select Install STORM, then keep the progress window open while the services and database are prepared.

4. Finish and sign in
  1. When setup reports success, leave Open README selected if you want the release notes.
  2. Leave Open STORM selected to launch the App immediately. Either checkbox can be cleared before selecting Finish.
  3. On the connection screen, choose This computer.
  4. Sign in with the Administrator username and password you created during setup.
The API and PostgreSQL services start automatically with Windows. No inbound Windows Firewall rule is created for this local-only installation.
Upgrade, repair, or uninstall

When setup detects STORM on the computer, it shows maintenance choices instead of the first-install flow.

Upgrade

Run a newer package from the same family—Online over Online or Offline over Offline. Setup updates older components while retaining the database, accounts, and protected configuration.

Repair

Select Repair to reinstall registered program components. Repair is intended for damaged or missing program files and does not remove the local database or configuration.

Uninstall

By default, uninstall removes the programs and services but retains the local database and configuration for recovery. Select Also remove the database, configuration, and retained machine data only when you intend to permanently purge the complete local installation.

To change between Online and Offline package families, uninstall while leaving the data-removal checkbox clear, then run the other installer. When the retained installation is valid, setup offers to reconnect it without changing credentials, users, or data.
If setup does not complete
  • Use Open the setup log for details on the failure screen and keep that log for troubleshooting.
  • For the Online installer, confirm the computer still has internet access. Use the Offline package when that is not possible.
  • If setup reports a port conflict, choose unused, different values for PostgreSQL and the API.
  • Do not manually delete C:\ProgramData\STORM if it may contain data you want to recover.
  • Contact development@builtonstorm.com and include the setup log and a description of the step that failed. Never send passwords.
Wiki Home Connection Setup