Install on Windows
One command in PowerShell installs M3UTool self-host, starts it and opens the editor, already signed in. Keep your M3UTool key ready (see Requirements). Follow these steps to install M3UTool self-host on Windows.
Step 1: Run the installer
- Open PowerShell: Open the Start menu, type PowerShell and open it.
- Run the command: Paste this command and press Enter.
irm https://editor.dontv.shop/selfhost/install.ps1 | iexThe installer now walks through five steps, shown as [1/5] to [5/5].
Step 2: Docker Desktop
The installer checks Docker Desktop first.
- Docker Desktop is running: the step shows a green tick and the installer carries on.
- Docker Desktop is installed but not running: the installer starts it and waits until it is ready. This can take a few minutes.
- Docker Desktop is missing: the installer asks whether it may install it.
[1/5] Docker Desktop
Docker Desktop is not installed yet. M3UTool runs inside it.
Install Docker Desktop now? [Y/n]Recommended: press Enter to install Docker Desktop. When it is installed, restart Windows if it asks you to, start Docker Desktop once and wait until it is ready. Then run the command from Step 1 again.
Step 3: Your M3UTool key
[2/5] Your M3UTool key
Paste your key:- Paste the key: Paste your key with Ctrl+V or a right-click, then press Enter.
- Wait for the check: The installer asks M3UTool whether the key is valid. When it is, the step shows accepted and the release it is about to install.
When the key is refused, the installer tells you why:
- M3UTool does not know this key (mistyped, or revoked). Copy the key again, or create a new one.
- Your M3UTool plan is not active. Self-host needs a paid plan. Pay or renew your plan on editor.dontv.shop, or pick a plan of €40 a year or more, then run the command again.
- This is not a "M3UTool Gateway" key. Create a key of the type M3UTool Gateway. See Requirements.
- An M3UTool key starts with dontv_ The text you pasted is not an M3UTool key. Copy the whole key again.
- M3UTool has no self-host release online right now. Try again later. Wait a while and run the command again.
Step 4: The download
The installer downloads the M3UTool program first ([3/5] M3UTool program) and then the editor ([4/5] The M3UTool editor, about 400 MB). A bar shows how far it is and how fast it goes. Every file is checked after the download.
If the download stops, run the command from Step 1 again.
Step 5: Starting M3UTool
In the last step ([5/5] Starting M3UTool) the installer:
- starts M3UTool in the background,
- adds M3UTool to the Start menu and to your desktop,
- sets M3UTool to start when you log in to Windows,
- opens the editor in its own window, already signed in.
A green box at the end shows the Server address for your customers' players, for example http://192.168.1.20. Your customers' players use this address. More in Address, domain and HTTPS.
Next: First sign-in.
The M3UTool icon
The M3UTool icon sits next to the clock at the bottom right of the screen. A left click opens the editor. A right click opens the menu. The first line of the menu shows what M3UTool is doing, for example Running.
| Menu item | What it does |
|---|---|
| Open editor | Opens the editor in its own window, signed in. |
| Open editor on another device… | Makes a sign-in link for a phone, tablet or second computer. See First sign-in. |
| Customers connect to | Shows your customer address. A click opens the web player at that address. |
| Start | Starts M3UTool. |
| Stop | Stops M3UTool. Your data is kept. |
| Update | Fetches the newest version and restarts. Your data is kept. See Updating. |
| Show logs | Opens a window that follows what M3UTool is doing. Useful when you ask for help. |
| Open install folder | Opens the folder with your settings file and passwords. |
| Start with Windows | When this is ticked, M3UTool starts in the background when you log in. |
| Close tray (M3UTool keeps running) | Closes only the icon. M3UTool keeps serving your customers. |
| Stop M3UTool and close | Stops M3UTool and closes the icon. |
Good to know
- Install folder: your settings (the file
.env) and passwords (the foldersecrets) are in%LOCALAPPDATA%\DonTV. Keep this folder private. - Commands: the
dontvcommands from Install on Linux also work on Windows, in any new PowerShell window. For exampledontv infoshows both addresses. - Run the command again: running the install command again updates everything. Your data stays.