# Start Datashare

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="/files/6mCow4zN5vRrmBvyQc7A" 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="/files/ShxSUJjZwTFjs8m5xZy6" 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="/files/AGWaHrlbO1yK1MYA0mLT" 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. You can edit the `datashare.bat` script in the installation folder and set the `DS_JAVA_OPTS` and `ES_JAVA_OPTS` variables directly in it. See [Performance considerations](/datashare/server-mode/performance-considerations.md) for 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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