> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-windows/open-datashare-on-windows.md).

# Start Datashare

Find the application on your computer and run it locally in your browser.

Open the Windows main menu at the left of the bar at the bottom of your computer screen and click on '**Datashare'**. (The numbers after 'Datashare' just indicate which version of Datashare you installed.)

<figure><img src="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1e63521ee19fc15c7a39fa8e4cc433dbf9c3f2d7%2Fcapture-de-cran-33.png?alt=media&amp;token=55751a1c-7973-4022-9f35-fa5b63853bc2" alt="Screenshot of Windows&#x27; homepage with an open menu with the entry &#x27;ICIJ&#x27; > &#x27;Datashare 1.3&#x27; highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

A window called 'Terminal' will have opened, showing the progress of opening Datashare. **Do not close this black window as long as you use Datashare**.

<figure><img src="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6edb849f2869ec474264de492bf62e67d57c1c4b%2Fcapture-de-cran-40.png?alt=media&amp;token=90b226f1-8598-4f94-95e5-9dd8e07022bc" alt="Screenshot of Windows&#x27; homepage with a Terminal Window showing logs of Datashare&#x27;s starting process"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Keep this Terminal window open as long as you use Datashare.**

**Datashare should now automatically open in your default internet browser.**\
If it doesn’t, type '[localhost:8080](http://localhost:8080)' in your browser.

Datashare **must be accessed from your internet browser** (Firefox, Chome, etc), even though it works offline without Internet connection (see FAQ: [Can I use Datashare with no internet connection?](/datashare/usage/faq/general/can-i-use-datashare-with-no-internet-connection.md)).

<figure><img src="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-be0fe389d1f3e984c030055670ec88d2b7a3ae1b%2FScreenshot%202025-06-05%20at%2008.49.50.png?alt=media" alt="Screenshot of Datashare&#x27;s homepage, the projects&#x27; page with one project called &#x27;Default&#x27;"><figcaption><p>Datashare's homepage</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Advanced: adjusting memory settings**

If Datashare crashes on startup or during use, it may be due to insufficient memory allocated to Datashare or Elasticsearch. Two variables control it:

| Variable       | Controls                          | Recommended value |
| -------------- | --------------------------------- | ----------------- |
| `DS_JAVA_OPTS` | Memory allocated to Datashare     | `-Xmx2g`          |
| `ES_JAVA_OPTS` | Memory allocated to Elasticsearch | `-Xms2g -Xmx2g`   |

Adjust these values to the memory available on your computer. You can set them in two ways:

* **In the `datashare.bat` script:** open `datashare.bat` in the installation folder (`%APPDATA%\Datashare` by default) with a text editor, and remove the `::` in front of the two `set` lines in the 'Memory settings' section. Your changes are lost when you update Datashare.
* **In the Windows environment variables:** search for 'environment variables' in the Windows main menu, open 'Edit environment variables for your account', and add each variable under 'User variables'. Your settings are kept when you update Datashare. Restart Datashare to apply them.

See [Performance considerations](/datashare/server-mode/performance-considerations.md) for more recommendations.
{% endhint %}

You can now [add documents to Datashare](/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-windows/add-documents-to-datashare-on-windows.md).


---

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