Windows blocks the install file

[Corvalan]

Windows security - Threat blocked - 'Severe' it says.

[sujithatzackriya]

The issue

Windows blocks the apps that are from unknown publishers. To get recognized as known publisher, we have to buy an certificate. Please see similar issue below

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/252226/signing-a-windows-exe-file

https://stackoverflow.com/a/66582477

Quoting one of the answers

This warning is shown if your app doesn't have enough reputation with Microsoft SmartScreen yet. In order to gain reputation, you can either

- submit your app for malware analysis to Microsoft,
- buy an "Extended Validation" (EV) code signing certificate,
- buy an "Organization Validation" (OV) code signing certificate, or
- just wait for a long time.

Buying these certificates requires an yearly subscription fee (Depending on certificate providers, this varies. But ball park is a total of $700 per year for both certificates)

As of now, we do not have the commercial version of the app available and this is an open source project. So getting a certificate might be an effort that we could do later.

Potential solutions

For using the installer

Before installing the application, click on Properties of the installer(.exe or .msi) and unblock, which the application installable (Windows Defender SmartScreen prevented an unrecognized app )

- Right click on installer(.exe)
- Select properties option.
- Click on checkbox to check Unblock at the bottom of Properties.

Source - https://stackoverflow.com/a/53685718

Build the application from source code

Prerequisites

For Windows:

• Node.js (v18 or later)
• Rust (latest stable)
• pnpm (v8 or later)
• Visual Studio Build Tools with C++ development tools
• Windows 10 or later

1. Install prerequisites:

   • Install Node.js (v18 or later)
   • Install Rust
   • Install pnpm: npm install -g pnpm
   • Install Visual Studio Build Tools with C++ development tools

2. Clone the repository and navigate to the frontend directory:

   git clone https://github.com/Zackriya-Solutions/meeting-minutes
   cd meeting-minutes/frontend

3. Install dependencies:

   pnpm install

4. Use the provided script to run the app in development mode:

clean_run_windows.bat

If anyone has information regarding any alternative option for signing the application for an open-source version, contributions are highly appreciated.