Extract the WPD ZIP and Start from a Local Folder

After checking the download, extract all four bundled files to a local folder and open WPD from there. Your first launch should be an inspection, not a one-click application of every privacy setting.

On this page
  1. A first-run sequence
  2. Choose a folder you can return to
  3. If a dependency or permission error appears
  4. Questions and answers

A first-run sequence

  1. Save the ZIP and compare its full SHA-256 value with the download page. Do not execute a mismatching file.
  2. In File Explorer, select the archive and use Extract All. Choose a folder where you have normal read and write access.
  3. Confirm that WPD.exe, Constructor.json, Localization.json, and README.txt are present. Read the bundled notes before proceeding.
  4. Open WPD.exe only after verifying its source and reviewing any security message. If Windows requests elevation, understand that you are granting system-changing privileges.
  5. Read the dashboard descriptions and record the starting values. Leave advanced presets untouched during the initial inspection.

Choose a folder you can return to

An extracted folder in your user profile makes it easier to preserve documentation and compare versions. Avoid launching a copy from a temporary archive viewer and later assuming that its configuration files were saved in a permanent location. Keep different versions in clearly labeled separate folders.

If a dependency or permission error appears

Record the exact message rather than guessing which runtime is missing. Obtain required Windows components through Microsoft or your administrator, not a third-party DLL download site. On a managed PC, request approval before using a configuration utility.

Questions and answers

Is there a setup wizard?

The supplied ZIP is a portable package with an executable and supporting files, not an installer wizard.

Should I apply the recommended preset immediately?

No. First understand what that preset changes and prepare a way to restore your existing configuration.

Sources and further reading