In this article, we explain how to start using your StartMeStick, depending on what version of Windows you are using.
If you aren't sure of what version of Windows you're running on your computer, click here.
If you're trying to start the StartMeStick on a Mac computer, click here.
If you have a Windows 10/11 computer, here's a video on how to get started:
If your computer is using another version of Windows, scroll down to the Index below and click on the instructions for your version of Windows.
Index:
Getting Started if You Have a Windows XP Computer
Getting Started if You have a Windows Vista Computer
Getting Started if You have a Windows 7 Computer
Getting Started if You have a Windows 8/8.1 Computer
Getting Started if You have a Windows 10/11 Computer
Getting Started if You Have a Windows XP Computer
1. Turn on your computer and log in to your normal desktop/background.
2. Plug in your StartMeStick device into a USB port on your computer.
Using a desktop? Try a USB port at the back of the tower.
3. Left-click on the Start button in the corner of the screen and select My Computer.
4. The My Computer window will open on your screen. In this window, you should see the StartMeStick USB drive. You will need to double left-click this option.
If you don't see the StartMeStick USB, try plugging it into a different USB port.
5. Now double left-click on "StartMeStick" and select "Yes" on the pop-up asking you to allow changes to your computer.
7. The StartMeStick device will update and then display a window that says What Happens Next. Click "Reboot and Start StartMeStick" to launch your StartMeStick.
- Your computer will restart, and a black screen will show the StartMeStick is starting. The StartMeStick logo will appear followed by the StartMeStick desktop screen where you will find various icons on the bottom left and right corners. You can take a tour of these icons here (by clicking on the option "Take the tour"). A browser window will also pop up and when it does, you're good to go! Enjoy surfing the web securely.
Getting Started if You Have a Windows Vista Computer
1. Turn on your computer and log in to your normal desktop/background.
2. Plug in your StartMeStick device into a USB port on your computer.
Using a desktop? Try a USB port at the back of the tower.
3. Left-click on the Start button in the corner of the screen and select Computer.
4. The Computer window will open on your screen. In this window, you should see the StartMeStick USB under Removable Storage Devices. You will need to double left-click this option.
If you don't see the StartMeStick USB here, try plugging it into a different USB port.
5. Now double left-click on "StartMeStick" and select "Yes" on the pop-up asking you to allow changes to your computer.
7. The StartMeStick device will update and then display a window that says What Happens Next. Click "Reboot and Start StartMeStick" to launch your StartMeStick.
- Your computer will restart, and a black screen will show the StartMeStick is starting. The StartMeStick logo will appear followed by the StartMeStick desktop screen where you will find various icons on the bottom left and right corners. You can take a tour of these icons here (by clicking on the option "Take the tour"). A browser window will also pop up and when it does, you're good to go! Enjoy surfing the web securely.
Getting Started if You Have a Windows 7 Computer
1. Turn on your computer and log in to your normal desktop/background.
2. Plug your StartMeStick device into a USB port on your computer.
Using a desktop? Try a USB port at the back of the tower.
3. Left-click on the Start button in the corner of your screen and select Computer.
4. The Computer window will open on your screen. In this window, you should see the StartMeStick USB under Removable Storage Devices. You will need to double left-click this option.
If you don't see the StartMeStick USB here, try plugging it into a different USB port.
5. Now double left click on "StartMeStick" and select "Yes" on the pop-up asking you to allow changes to your computer.
7. The StartMeStick device will update and then display a window that says What Happens Next. Click "Reboot and Start StartMeStick" to launch your StartMeStick.
- Your computer will restart, and a black screen will show the StartMeStick is starting. The StartMeStick logo will appear followed by the StartMeStick desktop screen where you will find various icons on the bottom left and right corners. You can take a tour of these icons here (by clicking on the option "Take the tour"). A browser window will also pop up and when it does, you're good to go! Enjoy surfing the web securely.
Getting Started if You Have a Windows 8/8.1 Computer
1. Turn on your computer and log in to your normal desktop/background.
2. Plug your StartMeStick device into a USB port on your computer.
Using a desktop? Try a USB port at the back of the tower.
3. Left-click on the Windows button in the corner of your screen.
4. Click on the search icon at the top right-hand portion of the screen, as shown below.
- Type File Explorer into the search bar. The program that you would like to run will appear directly below the search bar. You will have to left-click this option.
5. The File Explorer window will open on your screen. In this window, you should see the StartMeStick USB under Removable Storage Devices. You will need to double left-click this option.
If you don't see the StartMeStick USB here, try plugging it into a different USB port.
6. Now double left click on "StartMeStick" and select "Yes" on the User Account Control pop-up asking you to allow changes to your computer.
7. The StartMeStick device will update and then display a window that says What Happens Next. Click "Reboot and Start StartMeStick" to launch your StartMeStick.
- Your computer will restart, and a black screen will show the StartMeStick is starting. The StartMeStick logo will appear followed by the StartMeStick desktop screen where you will find various icons on the bottom left and right corners. You can take a tour of these icons here (by clicking on the option "Take the tour"). A browser window will also pop up and when it does, you're good to go! Enjoy surfing the web securely.
Getting Started if You Have a Windows 10/11 Computer
1. Turn on your computer and log in to your normal desktop/background.
2. Plug your StartMeStick device into a USB port on your computer.
Using a desktop? Try a USB port at the back of the tower.
3. Right-click on the Windows button in the corner of your screen, then left-click on File Explorer.
4. The File Explorer window will open on your screen. The "StartMeStick USB" drive
will be on the left-hand side of that window. Left click on "StartMeStick USB".
If you don't see the StartMeStick USB here, try plugging it into a different USB port.
5. Now double left click on "StartMeStick" and select "Yes" on pop-up asking you to allow changes to your computer.
6. The StartMeStick device will update and then display a window that says What Happens Next. Click "Reboot and Start StartMeStick" to launch your StartMeStick.
- Your computer will restart, and a black screen will show the StartMeStick is starting. The StartMeStick logo will appear followed by the StartMeStick desktop screen where you will find various icons on the bottom left and right corners. You can take a tour of these icons here (by clicking on the option "Take the tour"). A browser window will also pop up and when it does, you're good to go! Enjoy surfing the web securely.