Install and get ready

MarginDiff desktop applications use 64-bit Windows. ## Documented requirements Check the [minimum and recommended requirements for MarginDiff Documents](https://margindiff.app/getting-started/#system-requirements) before installing. Separate tested hardware minimums for the current Sheets and Slides builds have not been established in the available product notes. Large or complex files need additional memory and time. See [File formats and preparation](/docs/file-formats) for conversion dependencies and [spreadsheet size limits](/docs/sheets/compare/#spreadsheet-size-limits) for limits that depend on workbook layout. ## Choose an installer MarginDiff is available through private beta access by request. Public installers are not available. Use an installer supplied by Polywick Studio or your administrator; [request access](https://margindiff.app/downloads/) and confirm the products and optional components included. | Product | Installer filename | | --- | --- | | MarginDiff Documents | `MarginDiffDocumentsSetup.msi` | | MarginDiff Sheets | `MarginDiffSheetsSetup.msi` | | MarginDiff Presentations | `MarginDiffPresentationsSetup.msi` | | MarginDiff Settings | `MarginDiffSettingsSetup.exe` (normal distribution); `MarginDiffSettingsSetup.msi` only when separately supplied | | MarginDiff Scrub, including MarginDiff Scrub Settings | `MarginDiffScrubSetup.msi` | | MarginDiff Documents OCR | `MarginDiffDocumentsOCRSetup.msi` | Your administrator may provide only the products you need. The presence of a filename in this table does not mean that a public release is available. MarginDiff Scrub includes its Office and File Explorer integrations and **MarginDiff Scrub Settings**. See [Scrub deployment settings](#margindiff-scrub-msi-and-settings) for the available MSI options and post-install configuration. ## Install 1. Close the MarginDiff applications and any Office applications using their add-ins. 2. Check the MSI’s **Properties → Digital Signatures** for a valid signature from **Polywick Graphics, Ph, Corp.**, then open the supplied installer. 3. Follow the setup prompts and approve the administrator request when asked. 4. Start the application from the Windows Start menu. Depending on the products installed, it contains **MarginDiff Documents**, **MarginDiff Sheets**, **MarginDiff Presentations**, **MarginDiff Settings**, **MarginDiff Scrub**, and **MarginDiff Scrub Settings**. OCR runs through MarginDiff Documents and has no separate Start menu entry. Open Help from within the application. 5. If an activation prompt appears, use the license information supplied with your purchase or ask your administrator for the correct activation process. 6. Run a [small first comparison](/docs/getting-started). On a managed computer, ask your administrator to install or update the software. For integration registration and refreshing Office, see [MarginDiff Settings](/docs/integrations/settings). Bundled add-in files do not by themselves establish that an integration is registered. ## Silent installation Run the following commands from an elevated Command Prompt, in the folder containing the supplied installers. Close MarginDiff and Office first. Create the log folder before installation: ```bat mkdir "C:\Deployment\Logs" ``` All these packages install for the machine on 64-bit Windows. The direct MSIs require Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable (x64) 14.44.35211.0 or newer to be installed first. The normal **MarginDiff Settings EXE** includes the runtime installer; the application MSIs and a separately supplied Settings MSI do not. ### Common Windows Installer switches | Switch | Purpose | | --- | --- | | `/i "package.msi"` | Install or configure the selected MSI. | | `/qn` | No installer dialogs. Administrative privileges are still required. | | `/passive` | Show installation progress without requiring user input; use instead of `/qn`. | | `/norestart` | Suppress an automatic restart. Check the exit code for a required reboot. | | `/l*v "log.txt"` | Write a verbose installation log to an existing, writable folder. | | `/x "package.msi"` | Uninstall that package; its installed product code can also be used. | Use uppercase property names and quote values containing spaces. These switches are defined by [Microsoft's msiexec reference](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/administration/windows-commands/msiexec). ### MarginDiff Documents MSI ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffDocumentsSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Documents-install.log" STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1 GROUPNAME="MarginDiff" ``` ### MarginDiff Sheets MSI ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffSheetsSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Sheets-install.log" STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1 GROUPNAME="MarginDiff" ``` ### MarginDiff Presentations MSI ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffPresentationsSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Slides-install.log" STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1 GROUPNAME="MarginDiff" ``` These three application MSIs share the following properties. MarginDiff Settings also supports the generic shortcut properties, with its defaults listed below. | Property | Values and behavior | | --- | --- | | `INSTALLFOLDER="C:\Apps\MarginDiffDocuments"` | Override the installation directory for that product. Choose a separate absolute directory for each product. | | `GROUPNAME="MarginDiff"` | Start menu folder. If omitted, a supported saved custom group is retained; otherwise the default is `MarginDiff`. | | `STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1` | Create the application Start menu shortcut; default `1`. Use `0` to omit it on a fresh installation. | | `DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1` | Create the desktop shortcut; default `1`. Use `0` to omit it on a fresh installation. | | `STARTMENUSHORTCUTREMOVE=1` | Suppress the Start menu shortcut component even if its ADD property is `1`; default `0`. | | `DESKTOPSHORTCUTREMOVE=1` | Suppress the desktop shortcut component even if its ADD property is `1`; default `0`. | | `RESETSETTINGS=0` | Preserve settings; default `0`. `1` removes shared machine INI settings during installation, as described below. | For a fresh installation without either application shortcut, use `STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=0 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=0`. For example: ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffSheetsSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Sheets-install.log" INSTALLFOLDER="C:\Apps\MarginDiffSheets" STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=0 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=0 ``` The wizard's `NOSTARTMENUGROUP` and `ADDDESKTOP` controls are not substitutes for these ADD properties in a silent installation: wizard events do not run with `/qn`. Shortcut options describe fresh installation choices; changing a property alone is not a promise to remove a shortcut already installed by Windows Installer. Use `RESETSETTINGS=1` only for an intentional reset after backing up preferences. It removes `*.ini` files directly under `%ProgramData%\PolywickStudio\Diffy`, a shared location used by more than one product. It does not target only the application being installed. Leave it at `0` for normal installation or upgrades. ### MarginDiff Settings MSI The normal Settings distribution is `MarginDiffSettingsSetup.exe`. The commands below apply only when your administrator or Polywick supplies the separate `MarginDiffSettingsSetup.msi`, with the Microsoft runtime already installed. Do not pass MSI property arguments to the EXE and assume they reach its embedded MSI. Install with both integrations enabled, a `MarginDiff` Start menu group, and both Settings shortcuts: ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffSettingsSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Settings-install.log" OFFICEINTEGRATION=1 EXPLORERINTEGRATION=1 GROUPNAME="MarginDiff" STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1 ``` Install Settings with both integrations disabled: ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffSettingsSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Settings-install.log" OFFICEINTEGRATION=0 EXPLORERINTEGRATION=0 ``` | Property | Values and behavior | | --- | --- | | `INSTALLFOLDER="C:\Apps\MarginDiffSettings"` | Override the Settings and shared integration installation directory. | | `OFFICEINTEGRATION=1` | Register Office integration; `0` disables it. | | `EXPLORERINTEGRATION=1` | Register File Explorer integration; `0` disables it. | | `GROUPNAME="MarginDiff"` | Start menu group for MarginDiff Settings. If omitted, the saved group is retained; otherwise the default is `MarginDiff`. | | `STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1` | Create the MarginDiff Settings Start menu shortcut; default `1`. Use `0` to omit it. | | `STARTMENUSHORTCUTREMOVE=1` | Suppress the Start menu shortcut even when ADD is `1`; default `0`. | | `DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1` | Create the MarginDiff Settings desktop shortcut; default `0`. | | `DESKTOPSHORTCUTREMOVE=1` | Suppress the desktop shortcut even when ADD is `1`; default `0`. | For a fresh Settings installation without shortcuts, append `STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=0 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=0`. A custom `GROUPNAME` changes only the Start menu folder; it does not change the installation directory or the `MarginDiff Settings` shortcut name. When changing a saved group during maintenance, the installer cleans up its shortcuts in the previous group and keeps unrelated items there. Both integration properties accept only `0` or `1`. If omitted, a saved installer choice is used when available; otherwise the default is `1`. These are Settings MSI properties, not properties of the Documents, Sheets, Slides or Scrub MSIs. Choose individual Office applications and document types in [MarginDiff Settings](/docs/integrations/settings) after installation. ### MarginDiff Documents OCR MSI ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffDocumentsOCRSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\OCR-install.log" ``` `INSTALLFOLDER` can select a different absolute installation directory. The package does not expose Office/Explorer integration switches or application shortcut toggles. OCR is a background worker and has no Start menu shortcut. Installing it does not activate its separate OCR license. ### MarginDiff Scrub MSI and Settings The Scrub MSI includes **MarginDiff Scrub Settings**; there is no separate Scrub Settings MSI to install. The group and shortcut properties below apply to **both** MarginDiff Scrub and MarginDiff Scrub Settings. ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffScrubSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Scrub-install.log" ``` To choose a different installation folder: ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffScrubSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Scrub-install.log" INSTALLFOLDER="C:\Apps\MarginDiffScrub" ``` To create both Start menu and desktop shortcuts in the `MarginDiff` group: ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffScrubSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Scrub-install.log" GROUPNAME="MarginDiff" STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1 ``` | Property | Values and behavior | | --- | --- | | `INSTALLFOLDER="C:\Apps\MarginDiffScrub"` | Installation directory shared by Scrub and Scrub Settings. | | `GROUPNAME="MarginDiff"` | Start menu folder for both applications. A saved custom group is retained when omitted; otherwise the default is `MarginDiff`. | | `STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=1` | Create both Start menu shortcuts; default `1`. Use `0` to omit both. | | `STARTMENUSHORTCUTREMOVE=1` | Suppress both Start menu shortcuts even if ADD is `1`; default `0`. | | `DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=1` | Create both desktop shortcuts; default `0`. | | `DESKTOPSHORTCUTREMOVE=1` | Suppress both desktop shortcuts even if ADD is `1`; default `0`. | For a fresh installation without shortcuts: ```bat msiexec /i "MarginDiffScrubSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Scrub-install.log" STARTMENUSHORTCUTADD=0 DESKTOPSHORTCUTADD=0 ``` The REMOVE properties override their corresponding ADD properties. Changing `GROUPNAME` during installer maintenance cleans up Scrub's own shortcuts in the previous group while retaining unrelated items. Shortcut choices do not disable Office or Explorer integration or uninstall Scrub Settings. The Scrub MSI does **not** expose `OFFICEINTEGRATION`, `EXPLORERINTEGRATION` or `RESETSETTINGS` as configuration options. It installs the classic Explorer and 64-bit Office registrations, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Configure saved integration preferences after installation by opening **MarginDiff Scrub Settings** from the Start menu. With the default installation path, you can also launch it from Command Prompt: ```bat "C:\Program Files\PolywickStudio\DiffyScrub\margindiffscrubsettings.exe" ``` Use **Office Integration** to choose Office hosts. Use **File Explorer Integration** to choose the master menu setting and individual file extensions. An installed Explorer registration does not by itself enable a disabled menu. Use the Settings **Register** or **Unregister** actions to manage integrations, and restart Office after changes. On Windows 11, the modern Explorer menu is registered per Windows user. Installing machine-wide does not register it for every user. Each additional user should open Scrub Settings and choose **File Explorer Integration > Register** in their own session. For deployment under a system account, plan this user-session step rather than relying on installation to provide every user's menu. ### Default installation folders `INSTALLFOLDER` applies to the direct MSI packages above. Defaults are under `C:\Program Files\PolywickStudio`: | Product | Default subfolder | | --- | --- | | MarginDiff Documents | `DiffyCompareDocuments` | | MarginDiff Sheets | `DiffyCompareSheet` | | MarginDiff Presentations | `DiffyComparePresentation` | | MarginDiff Settings | `DiffyCompareShared` | | MarginDiff Documents OCR | `DiffyDocumentsOCR` | | MarginDiff Scrub | `DiffyScrub` | ### Capture the installation result For PowerShell deployment, explicitly wait for Windows Installer and inspect its exit code. This example installs Scrub: ```powershell $process = Start-Process -FilePath 'msiexec.exe' -ArgumentList '/i "C:\Deployment\MarginDiffScrubSetup.msi" /qn /norestart /l*v "C:\Deployment\Logs\Scrub-install.log"' -Wait -PassThru $process.ExitCode ``` | Exit code | Meaning | | --- | --- | | `0` | Installation completed successfully. | | `3010` | Installation succeeded; a restart is required. | | `1641` | Installation succeeded and initiated a restart. | | `1603` | Installation failed; inspect the verbose log. | | `1618` | Another installation is already running. | | `1619` | Windows Installer could not open the package. | See [Microsoft's Windows Installer error codes](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/msi/error-codes) for other results. Run installers sequentially. MSI exit codes differ from the [numeric license status codes](/docs/integrations/settings#check-license-status-from-the-command-line). License activation is a separate post-install step; use [activation from a key file](/docs/integrations/settings#activate-from-a-license-key-file) for the shared Documents, Sheets and Slides license, not an MSI license-key property. ## Update or uninstall Close the applications before running a supplied update. Keep your source files and saved comparisons independently of the installation folder. To uninstall, open **Windows Settings → Apps → Installed apps**, find the relevant MarginDiff product, and choose **Uninstall**. Administrator permission may be required. If an add-in remains visible, restart Office and check its status in [MarginDiff Settings](/docs/integrations/settings). For a managed silent uninstall, use the product code from the installed MSI: ```bat msiexec /x {PRODUCT-CODE-FROM-MSI} /qn /norestart ``` Older installations may be listed as **DiffyCompare**. Use the installed entry or its actual product code, rather than assuming a newer package has the same identity.