Backstop docs
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Install on Windows

Backstop for Windows is a signed MSI installer.

System requirements

  • Windows 10 (build 19041, “20H1”) or later, or Windows 11.
  • 64-bit Intel/AMD or 64-bit ARM.
  • Admin credentials.

Steps

  1. Download Backstop-x86_64.msi (or Backstop-aarch64.msi on ARM devices) from backstop.io/download.
  2. Right-click the MSI → Install. Confirm the User Account Control prompt.
  3. When the installer asks for a pairing code, open your parent web app on any device and copy the code shown under Devices → Add a device.
  4. Paste the pairing code into the installer and click Continue.
  5. The installer will:
    • Register a per-device Windows service that runs the endpoint agent.
    • Apply Chrome, Edge, and Vivaldi Group Policy entries for the blocklist.
    • Write the blocklist entries to hosts.
    • Install a lightweight tray indicator in the current user’s session (transparent mode).
  6. Click Finish and sign back in as your child.

Verify

  • On the child’s account, look for the Backstop tray icon — a small dark rounded square.
  • In the parent web app, Devices should list the new device with a “Last seen” timestamp within the last minute.

What the installer configures

  • Services: BackstopCore (LocalSystem, auto-start, delayed).
  • HKLM\Software\Policies\Google\Chrome\URLBlocklist and equivalents.
  • %SystemRoot%\System32\drivers\etc\hosts entries under a Backstop-managed block.
  • Auto-update service polling the signed release manifest.

Uninstall

See Uninstall for the full flow.