Windows guide
MAKAN Translate for Windows: install and use guide
What it is
The Windows app is the full MAKAN Translate (text, subtitles, documents, voice, media, dictionary, compare, glossary, history, 7 themes) plus screen translation: select a region of your screen and translate it. Free, open source (MIT).
Requirements
- Windows 10 or 11, 64-bit.
- Free disk space and memory for offline models (the app shows sizes before download). Whisper Large v3 works best with a graphics card. On a weaker PC use Tiny, Base or Small.
Download
Go to https://github.com/makan20042002/translator/releases/latest and pick one:
- Setup installer (MAKAN Translate Setup 1.0.0.exe): installs for your user, creates a desktop and Start menu shortcut, can be uninstalled from Windows Settings.
- Portable exe (MAKAN Translate-1.0.0-portable.exe): no install, run it from any folder or USB drive. Each Release lists a SHA-256 hash so you can check the file was not changed.
The same files are also on GitHub Releases, where the SHA-256 hashes are listed.
First start: the Windows SmartScreen warning
The app is not code-signed yet, so Windows may show "Windows protected your PC".
- Click More info.
- Click Run anyway.
This happens for every new unsigned app. You can read the source code on GitHub.
Using it
- Pick a tab (Text, Subtitles, Documents, Voice, Screen, Media, and the tools). Translation uses free Google Translate by default. Add your own API key in "Engines & keys" for AI engines. Keys stay on your PC.
- Offline models: open the Model Hub, see the size, then Download. After the download nothing is sent.
- Screen translation: open the Screen tab, choose to select a region of the screen, and the translation appears in a small card. The card has two buttons:
- Open in Windows app: sends the text to the app on your PC (only to 127.0.0.1, nothing leaves your computer).
- Open in browser: opens the web app at https://makanlab.tech/translate/app/ with your text filled in, useful for Chrome's on-device translation.
- Report a bug: opens your own email program with a prepared message to makan20042002@gmail.com. Nothing is sent until you press Send; keys are removed from the report.
Privacy in short
No account, no ads, no tracking, nothing sent to MAKAN servers. Text goes only to the engine you choose. Full policy: https://makanlab.tech/translate/privacy/
Update and uninstall
- Update: download the new Release and run it (Setup keeps your settings; with the portable exe replace the file).
- Uninstall: Windows Settings > Apps > MAKAN Translate > Uninstall. Portable: delete the file.
Troubleshooting
- SmartScreen blocks it: see "More info > Run anyway" above.
- Antivirus flags it: unsigned apps are sometimes flagged; check the SHA-256 from the Release, and write to makan20042002@gmail.com.
- A model will not download: check free disk space and your internet connection, then press Download again.
- Screen translation shows nothing: pick the region again; very small regions with tiny text are hard to read.
Not in version 1
Live video subtitles, game translation, music and lyrics translation, vocal separation, mobile apps (planned, no dates).
Support: makan20042002@gmail.com