Using the Writer for Windows desktop app
Who can use this feature
- Users enrolled in our Starter, Team and Enterprise plans.
- Users operating Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Generate content from Writer anywhere using our new Windows desktop extension! Using our new extension, you'll be able to brainstorm new content, escape writer's block, and generate fresh ideas for whatever you're working on, no matter where you're writing.
What's in this article:
Installing the desktop extension
- Go to the Writer extensions page.
- Select Install below Writer for Windows.
- Download the Writer installer .exe file.
- Double-click on the installer file.
- Select Install.
- The installer will display a progress bar during the installation process.
- Once installation is complete, select Launch Writer.
Logging in via the desktop extension
- Select Get started.
- If you're not currently logged in to Writer, you will be prompted to log in first.
- If you're currently logged in to Writer, you'll see a consent form: This site is trying to open Writer Desktop App. Select Open.
The first time you launch Writer for Windows, you'll see an onboarding tour. You can re-launch this tour anytime by right-clicking the Writer icon in the system tray and selecting Getting started.
Upon launching the Writer for Windows extension, you'll see a widget which can be dragged around the screen.
Even if the widget is dismissed, Writer for Windows will run in the background. To retrieve the widget:
- Use the ctrl+alt+w keyboard shortcut
- Select the Writer icon in the taskbar
- Select the Writer icon in the system tray
Customizing the Writer for Windows home page
Organize widgets
You and your team admin can customize the look of the Writer for Windows home page, to ensure easy access to your most important tools.
To reorder or remove widgets in the Home page, select the Edit layout icon in the top right corner.
Click the X to the top right of a widget to remove it from your Home page, or hold the dots next to the X to reorder the widgets.
If you remove a widget accidentally, select Edit widgets in the lower left and check the relevant box. Don't forget to select Save to apply your changes!
Always on top
Want to keep Writer at the front - no matter how many applications you have open? Select Always on top in the bottom left sidebar to make Writer for Windows overlay any other windows on your desktop.
Favorite agents for quick access
In the Agents widget of the Home page, you'll see a tab for Favorites. To add an agent to your Favorites tab, select the star next to the agent in the Agent Library.
Using the Writer for Windows app
Start an Ask Writer session
Enjoy the full functionality of our open-ended Ask Writer feature – anywhere! Just ask a question or enter your prompt in the Ask Writer box and a new session will launch. You can also attach a file to include in your prompt.
To access Knowledge Graph mode in the desktop app you will need to first select Knowledge Graph mode from the input field of Ask Writer. From the next screen you will be able to access your Knowledge Graphs. You’ll also be able to access previous Ask Writer sessions from this screen.
Learn more about using Ask Writer here.
Rewrite Ask Writer outputs using voice profiles
Love your Ask Writer output but need to make it sound a little more...you? Skip sending your output to a doc for polishing – you can just rewrite it with a voice profile within Ask Writer!
Transform your writing
Rewrite text
Love using rewrite to get your drafts perfectly polished? The desktop app lets you rewrite text on the go. Just paste your text into Writer for Mac and let us know whether you need it simplified, shortened, or downright Shakespearean!
Translate text
When you select Translate within the Transform widget you can paste your text and select a language to instantly translate your work.
Apply a voice profile
To tailor your work speak for your specific audience select Apply Voice, paste your text and select the voice profile you want to apply. Learn more about voice profiles here.
Capture text from screen
Transform work without the copying and pasting! The Mac desktop app allows you to capture text on your screen, then incorporate it into a command:
- Select Capture text from screen in the bottom left of the app.
- Use the screen capture tool to select the writing you wish to capture.
- After Writer captures the selected text select the Transform Text option option you would like to apply.
Analyze images with a screenshot
Select the Capture screenshot icon in the bottom left to use the Image Analyzer agent to answer questions and generate content based on an image.
Access your previous outputs
To keep working on your previous agent outputs from the desktop app, click the Outputs icon in the bottom left sidebar.
Other settings
Updating settings
Need to update which organization you're using, or which team settings you'd like to apply?
Select the avatar menu with your initials in the bottom left corner. Select Settings to switch to a different org.
If you belong to multiple teams, select the team dropdown menu in the bottom right corner to switch.
Get help using Writer
Select the avatar menu with your initials in the bottom left corner. From here, you can access this Help Center, the in-app Learning center, or our Prompt Library.
Sign out
Right-select the Writer app in the taskbar. Select Sign out of your account.
Quit
Right-select the Writer app in the taskbar. Select Quit the extension.