# Installation

## Download and install AstroNav MC

1. Open the [AstroNav MC releases](https://github.com/YoupSpace/astronav-mc-releases) page.
2. Download the most recent release for your operating system:
   - On Windows, download the Windows installer or executable.
   - On Linux, download the Linux package or executable.
3. Complete the installation wizard and open AstroNav Mission Control.

### Windows protected your PC

When you start the installer, Windows may show a blue **Windows protected your PC** screen. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen shows this for apps that are not digitally signed yet, which is why it lists the publisher as **Unknown publisher**. It does not mean anything is wrong with the file.

AstroNav MC is safe to install and use when you downloaded it from the official [AstroNav MC releases](https://github.com/YoupSpace/astronav-mc-releases) page.

1. Select **More info**.

   ![Windows protected your PC screen with the More info link and the Don't run button](../../../assets/installation-smartscreen-1.png)

2. Check that **App** shows the AstroNav Mission Control installer, for example `AstroNav.Mission.Control_0.3.0_x64-setup.exe`.
3. Select **Run anyway**.

   ![Windows protected your PC screen after selecting More info, showing the AstroNav Mission Control installer and the Run anyway button](../../../assets/installation-smartscreen-2.png)

:::caution[Only for the official download]
Only select **Run anyway** for an installer you downloaded yourself from the official releases page. If the file came from somewhere else, delete it and download it again from the releases page.
:::

## Update AstroNav MC

AstroNav MC checks for a newer version of itself when it starts. When one is available, a banner shows **Version x.y.z is available** at the top of the overview page.

![Update banner at the top of the AstroNav MC overview showing Version 0.4.0 is available with an Install button](../../../assets/mc-app-update-banner.png)

1. Finish any settings save, flight import or video export.
2. Select **Install** in the banner and wait for AstroNav MC to update and restart.

Select **×** to hide the banner and update later. The current version is shown at the bottom of the sidebar.

This banner updates the AstroNav MC application on your computer. Firmware for the Nano itself is covered in [Firmware update](/firmware-update/).

## Connect the AstroNav Nano

1. Connect the AstroNav Nano to your computer over USB and put it in USB storage mode. For the physical connection, see [Firmware update](/firmware-update/).
2. Make sure the operating system has mounted the device.
3. Open AstroNav MC and wait for discovery to finish.

AstroNav MC automatically checks mounted volumes for a compatible Nano. A compatible device exposes a root-level `Settings.ini`, expected AstroNav identification data, and a `logs` directory. When it connects, AstroNav MC also checks whether newer flight-controller firmware is available. No manual device selection is needed when only one compatible device is connected.

:::tip[Keep the device connected]
Keep the Nano mounted while reading logs, changing settings, importing flights, or deleting files. Use the normal safe-eject workflow before disconnecting when you are finished.
:::

## Connection status

The top-right status reports the current connection:

- **Connected** - a device is selected and healthy.
- **Warning** or **Critical** - a device is selected but reports that health state.
- **Scanning** - discovery is still searching mounted volumes.
- **Select device** - more than one compatible device is connected.
- **Offline library** - no compatible device is available, but imported flights can still be opened.
- **Ejected · safe to unplug** - the Nano was ejected with the **Eject** button and has applied its settings.

Next to a connected device, the **Eject** button safely ejects the Nano. See [Apply settings: eject the device](/software/device-settings/#apply-settings-eject-the-device).

When more than one Nano is connected, select the intended device by its model, serial number, mount label, and health status.

## If the Nano is not detected

1. Confirm that it is powered over USB and in USB storage mode.
2. Check that the operating system mounted the device.
3. Reconnect the Nano and restart AstroNav MC.
4. If the issue continues, record any displayed error before asking for support.

The application identifies a device by its AstroNav files and serial number, not only by its removable-drive label. If a device disappears during an operation, reconnect it and retry.

:::note[Related pages]
Continue with [Device settings](/software/device-settings/) or [Flight logs readout](/software/flight-logs-readout/). For the physical USB and Nano setup, see [Getting started](/getting-started/).
:::