Download and run the .msi installer and follow the prompts. Alternately, you can download the release binary, unzip it and double click on zec-qt-wallet to start.
### macOS
Double-click on the .dmg file to open it, and drag zec-qt-wallet on to the Applications link to install.
## zcashd
zec-qt-wallet needs a Zcash node running zcashd. If you already have a zcashd node running, zec-qt-wallet will connect to it.
If you don't have one, zec-qt-wallet will start its embedded zcashd node.
Additionally, if this is the first time you're running zec-qt-wallet or a zcashd daemon, zec-qt-wallet will download the zcash params (~1.7 GB) and configure `zcash.conf` for you.
Pass `--no-embedded` to disable the embedded zcashd and force zec-qt-wallet to connect to an external node.
## Compiling from source
zec-qt-wallet is written in C++ 14, and can be compiled with g++/clang++/visual c++. It also depends on Qt5, which you can get from [here](https://www.qt.io/download). Note that if you are compiling from source, you won't get the embedded zcashd by default. You can either run an external zcashd, or compile zcashd as well.
See detailed build instructions [on the wiki](https://github.com/ZcashFoundation/zec-qt-wallet/wiki/Compiling-from-source-code)
Please read the [troubleshooting guide](https://github.com/ZcashFoundation/zec-qt-wallet/wiki/Troubleshooting-&-FAQ) for common problems and solutions.
For support or other questions, tweet at [@zecqtwallet](https://twitter.com/zecqtwallet) or [file an issue](https://github.com/ZcashFoundation/zec-qt-wallet/issues).
_PS: zec-qt-wallet is NOT an official wallet, and is not affiliated with the Zerocoin Electric Coin Company in any way._