FAQ - Dkmariolink/ez-streaming GitHub Wiki

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions and answers about EZ Streaming to help you get the most out of the application.

Getting Started

What is EZ Streaming?

EZ Streaming is a free, open-source application launcher designed specifically for content creators and streamers. It allows you to launch multiple applications (like OBS, Discord, Spotify, games, etc.) with a single click, complete with configurable delays and process management.

How much does EZ Streaming cost?

EZ Streaming is completely free and always will be. It's open-source software licensed under GPLv3, meaning you can use it, modify it, and redistribute it freely. There are no premium versions, subscriptions, or hidden costs.

Do I need to install EZ Streaming?

No installation required! EZ Streaming is a portable application. Simply download the executable file, place it in a folder of your choice, and run it. All your settings are saved automatically.

What operating systems does EZ Streaming support?

Currently, EZ Streaming supports Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit). Cross-platform support for macOS and Linux is planned for future releases.

Features and Functionality

How many applications can I add to a profile?

There's no hard limit on the number of applications per profile. Most users typically have 3-8 applications per profile, but you can add as many as your system can handle. The interface is designed to scale with your needs.

Can I use EZ Streaming with applications that aren't on the supported list?

Absolutely! While EZ Streaming has smart detection for 24+ popular streaming applications, it can launch any Windows executable. Use the "Browse" button to add any program you want to include in your profiles.

What's the difference between "Launch" and "Launch All"?

  • Launch: Starts a single application immediately
  • Launch All: Starts all applications in the profile sequentially, respecting the configured launch delays

How do launch delays work?

Launch delays prevent system overload by waiting between application launches. You can set:

  • Profile default delay: Applied to all applications in the profile
  • Custom delays: Per-application overrides for specific timing needs
  • No delay: The first application in a profile launches immediately

Can I reorder applications in a profile?

Yes! Click and drag the handle (≡) on the left side of any application row to reorder them. Applications launch in the order they appear in the list.

Technical Questions

Why does Windows show a security warning when I run EZ Streaming?

This is completely normal and happens because we haven't code-signed the executable yet. To run EZ Streaming:

  1. Click "More info" in the Windows SmartScreen dialog
  2. Click "Run anyway"

The software is completely safe - you can verify this by checking our open-source code on GitHub.

Does EZ Streaming collect any data or phone home?

No data collection whatsoever. EZ Streaming:

  • Doesn't collect usage statistics
  • Doesn't send any data over the internet
  • Works completely offline
  • Stores all configuration locally on your computer

Why is my antivirus flagging EZ Streaming?

Some antivirus programs show false positives for applications built with PyInstaller (our build tool). This is common and not a real threat. To resolve this:

  1. Add EZ Streaming to your antivirus whitelist
  2. Download from our official GitHub releases page to ensure you have the authentic version

How much system resources does EZ Streaming use?

EZ Streaming is very lightweight:

  • Memory: ~50-100 MB while running
  • CPU: Minimal usage except during application launches
  • Storage: ~15-20 MB for the executable, ~10 MB for configuration
  • Network: None - works completely offline

Profile Management

What's the difference between profiles?

Profiles are different configurations of applications for various scenarios:

  • Gaming Profile: OBS + Discord + Spotify + Game Launcher
  • Art Profile: OBS + Art Software + Reference Browser + Music
  • Podcast Profile: Recording Software + Communication Apps + Notes

Each profile has its own applications, launch order, and delay settings.

Can I copy applications between profiles?

Currently: You need to manually add applications to each profile
Future Feature: Profile import/export and "copy from another profile" features are planned for upcoming releases.

Why can't I rename or delete the Default profile?

The Default profile is protected to ensure you always have at least one working profile. It cannot be renamed or deleted, but you can modify its applications and settings freely.

How many profiles can I create?

No limit on the number of profiles, but for practical organization, most users have 5-8 profiles. The interface remains responsive even with many profiles.

Application Management

Why can't EZ Streaming find my application?

If the smart search can't find your application:

  1. Check spelling: Try different variations of the application name
  2. Verify installation: Ensure the application is actually installed
  3. Use Browse: Manually locate the executable file
  4. Check common locations: Some applications install to unusual directories

My application launches but doesn't work properly. What's wrong?

Common causes and solutions:

  • Wrong executable: Some applications have multiple .exe files - try different ones
  • Needs administrator rights: Run EZ Streaming as administrator
  • Requires specific startup order: Adjust the launch order in your profile
  • Insufficient launch delay: Increase the delay for that application

Can I add Steam games to EZ Streaming?

Yes! EZ Streaming can find Steam games automatically:

  1. Use "Locate App by Name" and search for the game name
  2. EZ Streaming will search your Steam library
  3. It finds the game executable directly (not Steam.exe)

How do I add browser bookmarks or websites?

Current limitation: EZ Streaming launches executables, not URLs directly.
Workaround: Create a browser shortcut that opens to a specific URL, then add that shortcut to EZ Streaming.

Timing and Performance

What launch delays should I use?

Recommended starting points:

  • High-end systems: 3-5 seconds default
  • Standard systems: 5-7 seconds default
  • Budget systems: 8-12 seconds default

Per-application recommendations:

  • OBS/Streamlabs: 8-12 seconds
  • Games: 10-15 seconds
  • Discord/Spotify: 2-5 seconds

My system freezes when launching multiple applications. What should I do?

System freezing indicates insufficient resources:

  1. Increase launch delays by 50-100%
  2. Reduce applications in the profile
  3. Close background programs before launching
  4. Consider hardware upgrade if problem persists

How do I optimize launch times?

Optimization strategies:

  • SSD storage: Significantly faster than HDD
  • More RAM: Allows more applications to run simultaneously
  • Close background apps: Free up system resources
  • Optimal ordering: Launch heavy applications first, light applications last

Troubleshooting

EZ Streaming won't start. What should I do?

Troubleshooting steps:

  1. Run as administrator: Right-click → Run as administrator
  2. Check antivirus: Temporarily disable or whitelist EZ Streaming
  3. Download fresh copy: Redownload from GitHub releases
  4. Check system requirements: Ensure Windows 10/11 64-bit

My configuration isn't saving. How do I fix this?

Configuration issues:

  1. Check folder permissions: Ensure EZ Streaming can write to AppData
  2. Run as administrator: May need elevated permissions
  3. Check disk space: Ensure adequate free space
  4. Antivirus interference: Whitelist the configuration folder

Applications show as "Launched" but aren't actually running. Why?

Process detection issues:

  1. Check application path: Verify the path is still correct
  2. Application updates: Some updates change executable locations
  3. Restart EZ Streaming: Refresh the process detection system
  4. Manual verification: Check Task Manager to confirm application status

How do I reset EZ Streaming to default settings?

To reset configuration:

  1. Close EZ Streaming
  2. Navigate to: C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\EZStreaming\
  3. Delete or rename: ez_streaming_config.json
  4. Restart EZ Streaming: It will create a new default configuration

Advanced Usage

Can I use EZ Streaming for non-streaming applications?

Absolutely! While designed for streamers, EZ Streaming works great for any scenario where you regularly launch the same set of applications:

  • Work setup: IDE + Browser + Communication tools
  • Gaming: Game + Discord + Music + Monitoring tools
  • Creative work: Design software + Reference materials + Music

Is there a command-line interface?

Not currently. EZ Streaming is designed as a GUI application. Command-line support may be added in future versions based on user demand.

Can I run multiple instances of EZ Streaming?

Not recommended. Multiple instances can cause configuration conflicts. Use profiles instead to manage different application sets.

How do I backup my profiles?

Manual backup:

  1. Navigate to C:\Users\[Username]\AppData\Roaming\EZStreaming\
  2. Copy ez_streaming_config.json to a safe location
  3. Built-in backup/export features are planned for future releases

Future Features

What new features are planned?

Upcoming features include:

  • Profile import/export functionality
  • Auto-save capabilities
  • Windows startup integration
  • Command-line argument support for launched applications
  • Built-in settings panel
  • Cross-platform support (macOS, Linux)

How can I request a new feature?

Feature requests are welcome:

  1. Check existing requests on GitHub Discussions
  2. Submit new ideas via GitHub Issues
  3. Join the community discussion about features
  4. Contribute code if you're a developer

Will EZ Streaming remain free?

Yes, absolutely. EZ Streaming will always remain free and open-source. Our commitment:

  • No premium versions or paid features
  • No subscriptions or recurring costs
  • No data collection or monetization
  • Open-source forever

Getting Help

Where can I get support?

Support options:

  • GitHub Issues: For bugs and technical problems
  • GitHub Discussions: For questions and community help
  • Documentation: Comprehensive guides in the wiki
  • Email: Contact the developer directly for urgent issues

How do I report a bug?

Bug reporting:

  1. Check existing issues to avoid duplicates
  2. Gather information: System specs, EZ Streaming version, steps to reproduce
  3. Submit detailed report on GitHub Issues
  4. Include screenshots if applicable

Can I contribute to EZ Streaming?

Contributions are welcome!

  • Code contributions: Submit pull requests on GitHub
  • Documentation: Help improve guides and documentation
  • Testing: Test new features and report issues
  • Feedback: Share your experience and suggestions

Where can I find more detailed documentation?

Documentation resources:

  • Wiki: Comprehensive guides on GitHub
  • Installation Guide: Step-by-step setup instructions
  • User Guides: Detailed feature explanations
  • Architecture: Technical documentation for developers

Community and Support

Is there a user community?

Growing community:

  • GitHub Discussions: Active community discussions
  • GitHub Issues: Technical support and bug reports
  • Social Media: Follow updates on Twitter
  • Email: Direct contact with the developer

How can I support the project?

Ways to support:

  • Star the project on GitHub
  • Share with other streamers and content creators
  • Report bugs and provide feedback
  • Contribute code or documentation
  • Buy the developer a coffee (optional donation)

What's the project's philosophy?

Core principles:

  • Free forever: No premium features or subscriptions
  • User-focused: Built for real streamer needs
  • Community-driven: Features based on user feedback
  • Open and transparent: Open-source development
  • Quality over quantity: Polished, reliable features

Still Have Questions?

If you can't find the answer to your question here:

  1. Search the GitHub Issues - your question might already be answered
  2. Check GitHub Discussions for community Q&A
  3. Read the detailed guides in our documentation wiki
  4. Submit a new question if you can't find existing answers

Remember: No question is too basic! The community is friendly and helpful to users of all experience levels.