PointerPopInstall on Windows
From download to your first burst in about five minutes. On a Mac instead? Here's the macOS tutorial.
-
Download
Grab the Windows zip:
That's the same button as on the home page — it always points at the latest release on the official releases page. Free during early access; no account needed.
-
Unzip it
Right-click the downloaded zip → Extract All… and pick somewhere permanent (e.g. a
PointerPopfolder in Documents, or anywhere you like). Running the app straight from inside the zip won't work — extract first. -
First launch: get past SmartScreen
Open the extracted folder and double-click pointerpop.exe. Early-access builds aren't code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen will likely show "Windows protected your PC":
- Click More info.
- Click Run anyway.
One time only. Only do this for zips downloaded from pointerpop.com or the official releases page — the only two places PointerPop is distributed. A signed Microsoft Store version is planned.
-
Find the tray icon
PointerPop has no main window — look for the small star mark in your system tray (bottom-right, by the clock). Windows loves hiding new tray icons: click the ^ overflow arrow if you don't see it, and drag the icon onto the taskbar to keep it visible. Click it for the menu: Draw on Screen, Save Screenshot, Magnifier, Break Timer, Preferences, and more.
-
No permissions needed
Unlike macOS, Windows needs no special grants — the magnifier, screenshots, and full-screen zoom work out of the box. (If you later turn on the optional keystroke display, remember it shows what you type — it's off by default for a reason.)
-
Your first five minutes
- Pop: press Ctrl⇧P — a particle burst at your cursor. Open Preferences → Particles and play with shape, colors, and the live preview.
- Draw: press Ctrl⇧D and scribble over anything. Try 3 for the arrow, G for green ink, Ctrl+Z to undo, then Esc — your ink clears itself.
- Shoot: press Ctrl⇧6 — a screenshot of
your display lands on the clipboard and in
Pictures\PointerPop, with a confirmation toast. - Magnify: press Ctrl⇧M for the loupe, or try the tray's Zoom Screen for live full-screen zoom.
-
Verify it shows up in a screen share
Before your first real presentation: start a test meeting alone in Zoom/Meet/Teams, choose Share → Entire Screen (not a window!), press Ctrl⇧P, and check the share preview. Window shares can't include overlays on any platform — why, in Help.