> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.florists.digital/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting up Connect on Windows

> Install Digital Florists Connect on Windows 10 or later and run through the first-time setup wizard.

This guide walks you through installing **Digital Florists Connect** on Windows 10 or later, then running the first-time setup wizard. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes.

The wizard inside Connect looks the same on Mac and Windows. The only Windows-specific bit you might bump into is the SmartScreen warning when you first run the installer — that's covered below.

## Before you start

You'll need a few things ready:

* **Windows 10 or later (64-bit)** — Connect doesn't run on 32-bit Windows.
* **Digital Florists open in your browser** — you'll pair Connect from **Settings** > **Advanced** > **Integrations** > **Connect**, either with a connection link (easiest) or by copying an access token.
* **Your printer powered on** — and either plugged in over USB, on the same network as your PC, or already added in Windows.

<Tip>
  Open Digital Florists in a browser on the same PC you're installing Connect on. The connection link can only open Connect on the computer you click it from.
</Tip>

## Install Connect

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the installer">
    Go to [downloads.florists.digital](https://downloads.florists.digital) and download the Windows `.exe` installer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the installer">
    Double-click the downloaded file to start the install.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get past Windows SmartScreen">
    Windows may show a blue warning when the installer runs. Click **More info**, then **Run anyway**.

    <Info>
      SmartScreen warns about any installer it hasn't seen many people download yet. The installer is safe — it's the same file linked from [downloads.florists.digital](https://downloads.florists.digital).
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Allow it through your antivirus">
    If your antivirus or endpoint-protection software (Norton, McAfee, Bitdefender, Sophos, ESET, or Windows Defender on stricter settings) flags Connect or quarantines it, whitelist Connect and let the installer through. This is a common blocker on shop PCs that came with antivirus pre-installed. We can't advise on third-party antivirus software — check the maker's documentation, or ask your IT support to whitelist Connect for you.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish the install">
    Follow the prompts to the end. Connect launches automatically and opens the setup wizard.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Setup wizard

If you're not ready to pair Connect with your shop yet, click **Skip Setup** on the welcome screen and come back later.

When Connect opens, you'll see a welcome screen with a four-step progress bar at the top — **Login**, **Receipt**, **Drawer**, **Label**. Click **Get Started** to begin.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Connect to Digital Florists">
    There are two ways to pair Connect, and both live on the same page in Digital Florists: **Settings** > **Advanced** > **Integrations** > **Connect**.

    **Use the connection link (easiest).** Open that page in your browser and click the connection link. Connect comes to the front and asks you to confirm the shop you're connecting to — click **Connect**. Once it shows **Connected**, the wizard moves straight on to the receipt printer step.

    **Or paste your access token.** Copy the token from the same page, paste it into the wizard, and click **Connect & Continue**. Connect tests the link to your shop and shows a green **Connected** banner with your shop's address.

    Already paired to a different shop? Connect warns you before replacing the connection, and your printer setup is kept. If a connection link won't open or has gone stale, generate a fresh one from the same page in Digital Florists.

    <Info>
      If Connect spots an existing connection from a previous install, it'll skip ahead. Click **Continue to Printer Setup**, or **Use a different instance** to pair fresh.
    </Info>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose your receipt printer">
    <Info>
      Before you start, make sure your receipt printer is fully set up following **the manual that came in the box** — unboxed, paper loaded, powered on, and (for network printers) connected to the same network as your computer. Connect can only find printers that are already up and running.
    </Info>

    Connect looks for receipt printers on the till computer and your local network. Each one appears as a card.

    Click **Test Print** on the printer you want to use. A short test slip prints. If it looks right, click **Use This Printer** to save it.

    If your printer doesn't appear, click **Search for Printers** to scan again. For a network printer with a fixed address, click **Enter Network Printer Address** and type in the host and (optionally) a friendly name. Connect tests the connection before saving.

    If you don't have a receipt printer yet, skip this step.

    [Supported receipt printers →](/get-started/connect-receipt-printers)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test the cash drawer">
    Most cash drawers plug into the receipt printer with the cable that came in the box. Click **Open Drawer** and listen for the click.

    Confirm whether the drawer opened when prompted. Saving routes you on; declining surfaces troubleshooting tips. Common fixes are checking the cable from the drawer to the printer, and making sure the drawer key is in the unlocked position.

    If you don't use a cash drawer, click **Skip — I don't use a cash drawer**.

    [Cash drawer wiring →](/get-started/connect-cash-drawer)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up a label printer (optional)">
    Connect now looks for label printers. If yours connects through your operating system's own printer list, add it there first so it appears here automatically.

    For each printer it finds, you can:

    * **Pick the label stock** — choose the roll size loaded in the printer (e.g. 62mm continuous, 102 x 152mm).
    * **Print landscape address labels** — turn this on for our classic landscape delivery-label layout with your logo at the top.
    * **Include your saved business logo** — only shown when landscape labels are on. Prints your saved logo at the top of each label.

    Click **Test Print** to print a sample label. If it looks right, the printer is saved and the wizard moves on.

    If you don't print labels, click **Skip — I don't print labels**.

    [Supported label printers →](/get-started/connect-label-printers)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Finish setup">
    The **Setup complete** screen shows the web address for your POS. Click **Copy** to grab it for your browser's bookmarks or home screen.

    A toggle on the same screen lets the Digital Florists App on phones and tablets reach this computer, with a **Test reachability** check. See [Connect settings](/get-started/connect-settings#companion-app-access) for the detail.

    Click **Finish Setup** to save your choices, then **Open Digital Florists POS** to launch your till.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Printing from the web app won't work until you click **Finish Setup** on the final step. Closing the wizard before that point leaves your printers unsaved.
</Warning>

Once saved, Connect tucks itself into the **system tray** in the bottom-right of your taskbar. If you can't see the icon, click the small chevron (`^`) — Windows hides less-used tray icons behind it.

## Where Connect lives

After setup, Connect runs quietly in the **system tray** — the row of small icons in the bottom-right of your taskbar, next to the clock. If you can't see it, click the chevron (`^`) to reveal hidden icons.

**Right-click** the Connect icon for:

* **Open App** — bring the main window back.
* **Settings** — jump straight to Connect's settings.
* **Clear Interflora Sign-In** — wipe your saved Interflora session if Relay is misbehaving.
* **Quit** — fully close Connect. Closing the window only hides it; this is the only way to stop it running in the background.

## Launch at login

Connect is set to launch at login by default, so it's ready every time you start your PC. It launches hidden — no window flashes onto your screen, just the tray icon appears.

You can toggle this in **Settings** > **Advanced settings** > **Launch at login**.

## Re-running setup

If you swap printers, replace a cash drawer, or move Connect to a new shop, run the wizard again.

1. Right-click the Connect icon in the system tray and click **Open App**.
2. Go to **Settings** > **Printers**.
3. Scroll to **Need to change printers?** and click **Run Setup Wizard Again**.

The wizard reopens from the start. Connect stays paired with your shop, so you can usually skip the connection step and go straight to picking printers.

<Info>
  If you're plugging a Star receipt printer in by USB, see [Star USB on Windows](/get-started/connect-receipt-printers#star-usb-windows). Connect prompts you to install a small driver helper the first time and walks you through it.
</Info>

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why is SmartScreen warning me?">
    Windows SmartScreen warns about installers it hasn't seen many downloads of yet. Connect is published by a small developer, so it can take a while for the warning to go away. The installer from [downloads.florists.digital](https://downloads.florists.digital) is safe — click **More info** > **Run anyway** to continue.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My Star printer isn't found over USB.">
    See [Star USB on Windows](/get-started/connect-receipt-printers#star-usb-windows) for the driver helper Connect installs the first time. Once that's in, the printer behaves like any other Star receipt printer.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does Connect run on 32-bit Windows?">
    No. Connect is 64-bit only and needs Windows 10 or later.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I need to keep Connect open?">
    Yes, but only in the background. Closing the main window just hides it — Connect keeps running in the system tray and handles printing on demand. To fully stop it, right-click the tray icon and click **Quit**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## What's next?

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Printers" icon="print" href="/get-started/connect-printers">
    Supported receipt and label printers, plus how to connect them.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Relay" icon="arrows-rotate" href="/get-started/connect-relay">
    Automate Interflora and eFlorist order sync.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect settings" icon="sliders" href="/get-started/connect-settings">
    Configure Connect after setup — logo, font, auto-start, and more.
  </Card>
</Columns>