Download & install the desktop app
The Cnotely desktop app (Windows) is a standalone native application: inbox, knowledge base, cards and review all work fully offline, and it adds a screen-region OCR that the web app does not have. It shares the same data as the web app (app.cnotely.com) and syncs automatically once you sign in.
Download & install
- Open the download page and download the Windows installer (x64)
- Run the installer and follow the steps
- Launch Cnotely from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut
System requirements: Windows 10 or later (64-bit). The installer is only a few dozen MB with no special dependencies beyond normal permissions.
Desktop app vs. web app
| Capability | Desktop app | Web app |
|---|---|---|
| Offline use | ✅ Fully offline | Runs in the browser |
| Screen-region OCR | ✅ Select any screen region (including other apps) and OCR it | Image upload / clipboard paste only |
| Native window | ✅ Standalone window, minimize to tray | Browser tab |
| Cloud sync | ✅ Pulls the latest snapshot from the cloud when signed in | ✅ Auto-sync when signed in |
Desktop-exclusive: screen-region OCR
On the Capture page, click the “Screenshot OCR” pill to select any region of your screen — including other application windows. The text is recognized locally (tesseract.js) and lands directly in the editor. Recognition happens on your device, supports mixed Chinese/English text, and the image never leaves your computer.
Data & sync
By default, the desktop app stores data on your machine and works fully without an account. When you sign in under Settings → Account, the app pulls the latest cloud snapshot and stays consistent with your other devices — see cloud sync.
Get started
After installing, start from Capture: jot a thought, paste a link or use screenshot OCR, then archive to the knowledge base, make cards and finish your daily review. The complete walkthrough is in the user guide.