> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.akiraghost.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.akiraghost.com/product-guides/akira-memory/bypassing/before-running-akira.md).

# Before running Akira

This guide prepares your system so Akira downloads and runs correctly. Work through the steps in order before launching Akira for the first time.

{% hint style="success" %}
**Prefer the automatic route?** We provide a batch file that automates the bypass: [download it here](https://dashboard.akiraghost.com/utils/bypass.bat). Run it as Administrator first, then open one of our programs. The manual steps below do the same thing by hand.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
**These steps disable Windows security protections.** Real-time protection, Tamper Protection, and SmartScreen all guard your system. Only turn them off if you understand the risk, and only download Akira from our official website, [akiraghost.com](https://akiraghost.com).
{% endhint %}

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Disable Windows Defender & SmartScreen

1. Open the Start menu and search for <mark style="color:purple;">Virus & threat protection</mark>. Click <mark style="color:purple;">Manage settings</mark> under it.
2. Uncheck <mark style="color:purple;">Tamper Protection</mark> and <mark style="color:purple;">Real-time protection</mark>.
3. Open your browser in incognito mode and go to <https://www.sordum.org/files/download/def-con/DefCon.zip>. Extract the files, open the `.exe`, and click **Disable Windows Defender**.
4. Search the Start menu for <mark style="color:purple;">Windows Security</mark>. On the left, click <mark style="color:purple;">App & Browser control</mark>, then **Reputation-based protection**.
5. Turn off **Check apps and files**, <mark style="color:purple;">SmartScreen for Edge</mark>, and <mark style="color:purple;">SmartScreen for Microsoft Store Apps</mark>.

<figure><img src="https://i.imgur.com/EMFy1KZ.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enable the required Windows processes

1. Open the Start menu, search for <mark style="color:purple;">RUN</mark>, type <mark style="color:blue;">services.msc</mark>, and press Enter.
2. Find <mark style="color:purple;">Program Compatibility Assistant Service</mark>, right-click it, and open <mark style="color:purple;">Properties</mark>. Set <mark style="color:purple;">Startup Type</mark> to <mark style="color:purple;">Automatic</mark>, click <mark style="color:purple;">Apply</mark>, then <mark style="color:purple;">Start</mark>.
3. Find <mark style="color:purple;">Diagnostic Policy Service</mark>, right-click it, and open <mark style="color:purple;">Properties</mark>. Set <mark style="color:purple;">Startup Type</mark> to <mark style="color:purple;">Automatic</mark>, click <mark style="color:purple;">Apply</mark>, then <mark style="color:purple;">Start</mark>.

<figure><img src="https://i.imgur.com/7aruDXa.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Prepare your browser

Follow the section for the browser you use.

<mark style="color:red;">Firefox</mark>

1. Click the three lines in the top right and open <mark style="color:purple;">Options</mark>. Search for <mark style="color:purple;">Downloads</mark>.
2. Check <mark style="color:purple;">Always ask you where to save files</mark>.
3. Uncheck **Block dangerous downloads** and <mark style="color:purple;">Warn you about potentially unwanted and uncommon software</mark>.

<mark style="color:blue;">Edge</mark>

1. Click the three dots in the top right and open <mark style="color:purple;">Settings</mark>.
2. Search for <mark style="color:purple;">Ask me what to do with each download</mark> and enable it.
3. Search for <mark style="color:purple;">Downloads</mark> and uncheck <mark style="color:purple;">Defender SmartScreen</mark> and <mark style="color:purple;">Block potentially unwanted apps</mark>.

<mark style="color:yellow;">Chrome</mark>

1. Click the three dots in the top right and open <mark style="color:purple;">Settings</mark>.
2. Search for **Ask where to save each file before downloading** and enable it.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Download the client

1. Download the client from our website and save it under a legitimate-looking name like <mark style="color:blue;">Spotify.exe</mark> or <mark style="color:blue;">Chrome.exe</mark>.
2. Create a subfolder inside that legitimate program's folder. For Chrome, use <mark style="color:orange;">C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\SetupMetrics</mark> instead of just <mark style="color:orange;">C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application</mark>.
3. Be creative — avoid obvious application names like the examples above.
4. Save the client in one of those subfolders.
   {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Prepare the client

1. Open CMD as Administrator and run `cd` followed by your <mark style="color:orange;">\[FILE DIRECTORY]</mark> — for example, `cd C:\Users\child\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Users`, using your own client's directory.
2. Run `attrib +h` on your client file. For <mark style="color:blue;">Spotify.exe</mark> this is `attrib +h Spotify.exe`.
3. In your browser, open <https://www.voidtools.com/Everything-1.4.1.1023.x86-Setup.exe> and install Search Everything.
4. Press **Ctrl + P** to open Exclude and make sure <mark style="color:purple;">Enable Exclude List</mark> is on.
5. Press <mark style="color:purple;">Add Folder</mark> and paste your client's directory into the <mark style="color:purple;">Folder</mark> field at the bottom.
6. Press <mark style="color:purple;">Apply</mark> and close Search Everything.

<figure><img src="https://i.imgur.com/SLcVeDT.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Clean tracers

1. Open <https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner/download> in incognito and click <mark style="color:purple;">Free Trial</mark> to download <mark style="color:blue;">CCleaner</mark>.
2. Untick everything under any browser that isn't yours (if you use Chrome, untick Microsoft Edge, Edge Chromium, etc.).
3. Tick everything under <mark style="color:purple;">Windows Explorer</mark> and <mark style="color:purple;">System</mark>. Under <mark style="color:purple;">Advanced</mark>, tick everything except <mark style="color:purple;">Wipe free space</mark>.
4. Click <mark style="color:purple;">Applications</mark>. If you use <mark style="color:blue;">Chrome</mark>, tick <mark style="color:purple;">Internet History</mark>, <mark style="color:purple;">Download History</mark>, <mark style="color:purple;">Install Files</mark>, and <mark style="color:purple;">Last Download Location</mark>.
5. Repeat the previous step for your own browser, focusing on its specific settings instead of Chrome.
6. Untick everything under <mark style="color:purple;">Spotify</mark>, <mark style="color:purple;">Windows Store</mark>, <mark style="color:purple;">Applications</mark>, <mark style="color:purple;">Internet</mark>, and <mark style="color:purple;">Multimedia</mark>. Tick everything under <mark style="color:purple;">Utilities</mark>.
7. Under <mark style="color:purple;">Windows</mark>, tick <mark style="color:purple;">RegEdit</mark>.
8. Click <mark style="color:purple;">Run CCleaner</mark>.
9. Open CMD as Administrator and run `Fsutil usn deletejournal /D C:`.
10. Restart your PC.
    {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Run your client

1. Open CMD as <mark style="color:purple;">Administrator</mark>.
2. Run `start` followed by your <mark style="color:orange;">\[FILE DIRECTORY]</mark> and <mark style="color:blue;">\[Cheat name]</mark>. For a directory of <mark style="color:orange;">C:\Users%username%\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Users</mark> and a cheat named <mark style="color:blue;">Spotify.exe</mark>, this is `start C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\Users\Spotify.exe`.
3. Open <mark style="color:purple;">regedit</mark> and go to <mark style="color:orange;">HKEY\_LOCAL\_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\bam\State\UserSettings</mark>. Open the subfolders until you find the one with many <mark style="color:blue;">.exe</mark> entries.
4. Delete your cheat's entry from that folder. If you lack permission, <mark style="color:purple;">right-click the folder</mark> and enable <mark style="color:purple;">full access permissions</mark>.
   {% endstep %}
   {% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
If you hit freezing, open the <mark style="color:blue;">Self-Destruct</mark> page and tick <mark style="color:purple;">Traceless</mark> and <mark style="color:purple;">Clean Logs</mark>. Tick <mark style="color:purple;">Remove Program</mark> if you need to prepare the client again.
{% endhint %}