Beginner Setup

This page is the most basic setup path for ECHO Next on Windows. It is intentionally simple: open the computer, download the installer from the official source, install the app, import a small music folder, and play one track before changing advanced settings.

Before You Start

Confirm these items first:

Item	Check
System	Windows 10 or Windows 11
Network	Web pages open normally
Storage	Enough space for the installer and app
Audio	Speakers, headphones, or a DAC are connected
Music files	A few known-good MP3 or FLAC files

Do not import an entire drive for the first test. Use a small folder first.

1. Open Windows

1. Turn on the computer.
2. Log in to Windows.
3. Wait until the desktop is fully loaded.
4. Confirm the network is connected.
5. Open Edge, Chrome, or another browser.

2. Download ECHO Next

Open the download page and choose the Windows installer for normal daily use.

Use only the official website or GitHub Releases. Avoid third-party mirrors or forwarded files.

After the download completes, open the downloaded file from the browser download list or the Windows Downloads folder.

3. Install

1. Double-click the .exe installer.
2. Confirm the Windows permission prompt after checking the source.
3. Keep the default install location unless you have a specific reason to change it.
4. Wait for installation to finish.
5. Launch ECHO Next from the installer or the Start menu.

If Windows SmartScreen appears, continue only when the file came from the official website or GitHub Releases.

4. Import A Small Test Folder

Create a small folder such as:

D:\Music\Test

Put 5 to 20 known-good tracks in it. MP3 is best for the first playback test; FLAC is useful for checking metadata and artwork.

In ECHO Next:

1. Use the import folder entry.
2. Select the small test folder.
3. Wait for scanning to start and finish.
4. Open the Songs page.
5. Confirm the tracks appear.

5. Play The First Track

1. Open Songs.
2. Double-click a known-good MP3.
3. Check that the bottom player shows the track.
4. Check that the progress bar moves.
5. Confirm that you hear sound.

If the progress bar moves but there is no sound, check Windows volume, ECHO volume, the selected output device, and switch ECHO back to the system output before trying advanced modes.

6. Import The Full Library Later

Only import your full library after the small folder works. Large libraries can take time because ECHO reads files, metadata, duration, artwork, and album information.

Keep external drives connected during scanning, and do not select the entire system drive as a music folder.

What To Read Next

Goal	Page
Install details	Install and Download
First-use workflow	Quick Start
Full user guide	User Guide
Audio troubleshooting	Audio Output
Common issues	FAQ