Installation Guide
Follow these steps to install M2R on your Windows computer. Review the requirements first to ensure a smooth setup with no unexpected errors.
Before You Begin
Please review these requirements before running the installer. Meeting all of them ensures a smooth installation with no unexpected errors.
Supported Operating Systems
M2R runs exclusively on 64-bit Windows. The following versions are supported:
| Windows Version | Supported |
|---|---|
| Windows 11 (64-bit) | ✔ Fully supported |
| Windows 10 (64-bit) | ✔ Fully supported |
| Windows 8, 8.1, or 7 | ✘ Not supported |
| 32-bit Windows (any version) | ✘ Not supported |
Hardware Requirements
Your computer should meet or exceed the minimum requirements below. The recommended specifications will provide a noticeably better experience.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | 1 GHz, 64-bit | 2 GHz+ multi-core |
| RAM | 2 GB | 4 GB or more |
| Free Disk Space | 1 GB | 2 GB |
| Display Resolution | 1024 × 768 | 1920 × 1080 |
Permissions
You must be logged in as an Administrator (or run the installer as Administrator) to install M2R.
Once installed, you can run the application day-to-day as a standard Windows user — no admin rights needed at runtime.
What Gets Installed
The installer places files in the following locations on your computer. You do not need to change these defaults.
| Item | Default Location |
|---|---|
| Application Files | C:\Program Files\M2R\ |
| User Data Folder | C:\Users\{username}\.m2reporter\ |
| Database File | C:\Users\{username}\.m2reporter\m2reporter.db |
| Backup Files | C:\Users\{username}\.m2reporter\backups\ |
Installed size: approximately 600 MB.
Installer file (M2R_Setup_x.x.x.exe) is 150–200 MB, where x.x.x is the current version number.
Running the Installer
Step-by-Step
M2R_Setup_x.x.x.exe, where x.x.x is the current version number.Installation Options
During installation you will be offered these choices:
| Option | Default / Notes |
|---|---|
| Desktop Shortcut | Off by default — check this box if you want quick access from your Desktop. |
| Start Menu Group | Created automatically. Use Start Menu › M2R to launch the app. |
| Launch After Install | Optional. Launches M2R immediately when the installer closes. |
Optional Dependencies
Most users will not need to install anything extra. The two components below are only required for specific features.
| Component | Only Needed If… | Where to Download |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2015–2022 | You see a "DLL load failed" error on launch. | aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe |
| Microsoft Access Database Engine (ODBC) | You need to import legacy .mdb files. | Microsoft Download Center — ID 54920 |
Troubleshooting
This is a standard Windows SmartScreen warning that appears for software that is not code-signed. M2R is safe to install. To proceed:
1. Click "More info" in the SmartScreen dialog.
2. Click "Run anyway."
3. The installer will continue normally.
A required Windows system library is missing from your PC.
Fix: Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2015–2022 (x64).
After installing, restart your computer and try opening M2R again.
Verify your Windows version: M2R requires Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit).
Verify your architecture: 32-bit Windows is not supported.
Check your antivirus software: it may be quarantining a file. Add M2R to your antivirus exclusions list and try again.
Uninstalling M2R
You can remove M2R using either of these methods:
Method A — Windows Settings
- Open the Windows Start menu and click the gear icon (Settings).
- Go to Apps.
- Find M2R in the list and click it.
- Click Uninstall and follow the prompts.
Method B — Start Menu
- Open the Windows Start menu.
- Browse to the M2R folder.
- Click Uninstall M2R.
- Follow the prompts.
The uninstaller removes the application files only.
Your database and personal data remain in: C:\Users\{username}\.m2reporter\
To completely remove all data, manually delete that folder after uninstalling.
Still need help?
Contact our support team for assistance with this topic.
