Getting started
Installing Nexus
Choose the installer or the portable ZIP, verify the download, and get past SmartScreen safely.
Nexus comes in two forms. Both contain the same app.
| Detail | Installer | Portable ZIP |
|---|---|---|
| File | NexusTweaks-2.3.0-Setup.exe | NexusTweaks-2.3.0-win64-portable.zip |
| Size | 3.27 MB | 1.35 MB |
| Installs | For your account, no admin rights needed (you can choose all users) | Nothing. Unzip and run |
| Start menu entry and uninstaller | Yes | No |
Get the file
Nexus is free to download from the Download page, which also lists the current version, file sizes and checksums. You sign in with a free Nexus account; buying Standard or Pro unlocks more on that account. There's no license key.
Verify the checksum
Before running anything, check that the file is exactly the one we published. Open PowerShell in the folder you downloaded to and run:
Get-FileHash .\NexusTweaks-2.3.0-Setup.exe -Algorithm SHA256
Compare the result with the SHA-256 on the Download page. If it doesn't match, don't run the file. Download it again and tell us.
Run the installer
- Double-click
NexusTweaks-2.3.0-Setup.exe. - If Windows shows Windows protected your PC, select More info, then Run anyway. This appears because the app is not yet code-signed; see SmartScreen.
- Follow the setup steps. A desktop icon is optional.
- Nexus starts when setup finishes and asks you to sign in. Use your Nexus account's email and password, the same ones as on this website. See Signing in.
Use the portable ZIP
Unzip the folder anywhere and run NexusOptimizer.exe. Your account works on one PC at a time. Settings, history and logs still go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\NexusOptimizer unless you start it with --data-dir <folder>.
Requirements
- Windows 11 64-bit (tested), or Windows 10 64-bit version 1809 or later (supported).
- A DirectX 11 GPU. A software fallback is included.
- About 10 MB of disk space.
- An internet connection when Nexus starts, to check your account.