This guide covers install, setup, and daily usage for Windows users.

The Windows installer provides the most streamlined experience with automatic updates and system integration.

flowchart LR
    A[Download Installer] --> B[Run as Administrator]
    B --> C[Accept License Agreement]
    C --> D[Choose Install Location]
    D --> E[Select Components]
    E --> F[Configure Settings]
    F --> G[Complete Installation]
    G --> H[Launch Application]
    H --> I[Authenticate with SIMKL]
    I --> J[Configure Media Players]
    style A fill:#4285f4,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
    style G fill:#34a853,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
    style J fill:#fbbc05,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff

1. Download the latest installer
2. Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator" (recommended)
3. Follow the setup wizard:
   • Accept the license agreement
   • Choose your preferred installation location (optional)
   • Select components to install:
     • Desktop shortcut
     • Start menu shortcuts
     • Auto-start on login (recommended)
     • Auto-update checking (recommended)

• All-in-one package: Includes all dependencies (no separate Python installation required)
• System integration: Creates desktop and start menu shortcuts
• Auto-start capability: Option to run automatically when Windows starts
• Auto-update system: Checks for updates weekly
• Clean uninstallation: Properly removes all components

• The installer now honors common enterprise parameters: use /quiet, /silent, /s, /qn, or /passive when automating deployments
• Each alias maps internally to Inno Setup's /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART flags, ensuring the Microsoft Store silent install check succeeds
• Combine additional switches such as /LOG="C:\\temp\\mpss-install.log" as needed; they will be preserved when silent aliases are used
• When running interactively, the traditional /SILENT or /VERYSILENT options continue to function unchanged

After installation completes:

1. The application launches automatically
2. Authenticate with your SIMKL account when prompted
3. A system tray icon appears in the notification area
4. CRITICAL STEP: Configure your media players for optimal tracking (see below)

For the best tracking experience, configure your preferred media players: Media Players

Right-click the system tray icon to access:

flowchart TD
    A[System Tray Icon] -->|Right-click| B[Context Menu]
    B --> C[Status Information]
    B --> D[Start/Pause Tracking]
    B --> E[Scrobbling]
    E --> E1[Retry Last Scrobble]
    E --> E2[Sync Backlog Now]
    E --> E3[Completion Threshold]
    E --> E4[Open Local Watch History]
    B --> E5[SIMKL]
    E5 --> E5A[Authenticate/Re-auth]
    E5 --> E5B[Open Website]
    E5 --> E5C[Open Watch History]
    B --> F[Maintenance]
    F --> F1[Open Logs]
    F --> F2[Open Data Folder]
    F --> F3[Clear Backlog]
    F --> F4[Clear Cache]
    F --> F5[Clear Watch History]
    F --> F6[Clear Logs]
    F --> F7[Reset App Data]
    B --> G[More]
    G --> G1[Donate ❤️]
    G --> G2[Check for Updates]
    G --> G3[Help]
    G --> G4[About]
    B --> H[Exit]
    style A fill:#4285f4,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
    style D fill:#34a853,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
    style F fill:#fbbc05,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px

• Status information: Current monitoring state and connection status
• Start/Pause Tracking: Pause or resume tracking on demand
• Scrobbling: Recovery and threshold controls
  • Retry Last Scrobble: Clears cache for the active file and attempts to re-identify and scrobble it. Use when the wrong title/episode appears.
  • Sync Backlog Now: Immediately processes any offline scrobbles waiting in backlog.
  • Completion Threshold: Quickly switch between preset watch thresholds (65%, 80%, 90%) or define a custom percentage.
  • Open Local Watch History: Open the local watch history viewer in your web browser.
• SIMKL: Account and service management
  • Authenticate / Re-authenticate: Launch the SIMKL login flow if you are signing in for the first time or need to refresh an expired token.
  • Open Website: Visit the SIMKL website.
  • Open Watch History: View your watch history on SIMKL.
• Maintenance: Logs, data, and cache management
  • Open Logs: Jump straight to app diagnostics from the tray.
  • Open Data Folder: Open the application data directory.
  • Clear Backlog: Deletes pending offline scrobbles to stop repeated sync prompts.
  • Clear Cache: Removes local media cache data while keeping logs and settings intact.
  • Clear Watch History: Removes the local watch_history.json file and viewer data without touching your SIMKL account.
  • Clear Logs: Truncates application and playback logs so you can capture a fresh session before debugging.
  • Reset App Data (Danger): Performs a full reset—use only when you want a clean re-authentication; the app exits afterward.
• More: Additional utilities
  • Donate ❤️: Support the project.
  • Check for Updates: Check if a newer version is available.
  • Help: Open help documentation.
  • About: View application information.
• Exit: Close the application

If you selected auto-start during installation, the app launches when you sign in.

To change startup behavior later:

1. Open Task Manager → Startup apps (or Settings → Apps → Startup)
2. Enable or disable MPS for SIMKL

• Configuration file: %%USERPROFILE%\kavin\simkl-mps\.simkl_mps.env
• Log files: %USERPROFILE%\kavin\simkl-mps\simkl_mps.log
• Backlog: %USERPROFILE%\kavin\simkl-mps\backlog.json

The Windows installer version includes an automatic update system:

1. If auto-check is enabled, the application checks for updates weekly
2. When an update is available, a notification appears
3. Click the update option in the tray menu
4. Your default browser opens and the update downloads automatically
5. Install the Setup
6. The application restarts with the new version

1. Use the Windows installer for the best experience
2. Enable auto-start for convenience
3. Configure VLC or MCP-HC for the most accurate tracking
4. Use the system tray menu for quick access to functions
5. Proper filenames significantly improve media identification:
   • Best format: Movie Title (Year).extension
   • Example: Inception (2010).mkv

1. Right-click the system tray icon
2. Select Maintenance → Open Logs
3. The log file opens in your default text editor

For advanced troubleshooting:

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell
2. Navigate to the installation directory
3. Run: simkl-mps tray --debug

To remove the application from your Windows system:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Apps & features
2. Find "MPS for SIMKL"
3. Click Uninstall
4. Follow the uninstallation wizard
5. Choose whether to remove user data (settings, logs, backlog) ("No" is Recommended)

1. ✅ Install using the Windows installer
2. ✅ Enable auto-start for convenience
3. ✅ Configure your media players (critical step!)
4. ✅ Use clear filenames for your media
5. ✅ Play media and verify it is detected and tracked
6. ✅ Check your SIMKL profile to confirm progress is synced