When you download, install, or run WhisperApp, your antivirus software (Microsoft Defender, AVG, Avast, Norton, etc.) may display a warning.
This guide explains why these warnings appear and how to safely allow WhisperApp to run.
Why You See These Warnings
WhisperApp is currently not code-signed with an Authenticode certificate. Windows SmartScreen and third-party antivirus tools are designed to warn about unsigned executables or executables that have not yet built up a wide reputation in the wild.
In other words, the warning appears because the file's origin cannot be cryptographically verified, not because the file actually contains malicious code.
Our Guarantee
- WhisperApp executables contain no malicious code (no malware, spyware, or backdoors)
- Audio data and transcription results are processed entirely on your local PC and are never sent to external servers (unless you explicitly enable cloud features)
- We are working toward source code disclosure and third-party audits
If You Are Concerned
If you are uncertain, we recommend uploading the installer to VirusTotal before running it. VirusTotal is a free service that scans the file with 70+ antivirus engines and shows the results in a single view.
What to Do When Warnings Appear During Install
1. Unblock the Downloaded File
Windows attaches a Mark of the Web (MotW) identifier to files downloaded from the internet, which can block some installer functionality.
Steps:
- Right-click the downloaded
.exefile in Explorer - Choose Properties
- At the bottom of the dialog, check the Unblock box
- Click OK or Apply
2. SmartScreen Warning
SmartScreen may show a blue "Windows protected your PC" screen.
Steps:
- Click More info
- Click the Run anyway button that appears
3. AVG / Avast / Norton and Other Third-Party Antivirus
The exact UI varies by product, but you can generally:
- Choose Allow or Ignore
- Add the WhisperApp installer and its install folder (see below) to the antivirus's Exclusions / Exception list
- If the file was already moved to Quarantine, restore it and add it to the exclusion list
If you cannot find the right setting, searching for "
When Warnings Appear Repeatedly During Use
If you see warnings repeatedly during transcription, updates, or normal use after installation, add the WhisperApp folder to your antivirus's exclusion list.
Folder to add:
%LocalAppData%\WhisperApp\
You can paste the path above directly into Explorer's address bar to open the folder (typically C:\Users\<your-username>\AppData\Local\WhisperApp\).
Excluding the entire folder is the most reliable approach — it covers subfolders such as engines, models, and config.
Where to Find Exclusion Settings
- Microsoft Defender: Settings → Update & Security → Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Add or remove exclusions
- AVG: Menu → Settings → General → Exceptions
- Avast: Menu → Settings → General → Exceptions
- Norton: Settings → Antivirus → Scans and Risks → Items to Exclude from Scans
False-Positive Mitigation in v0.10.11
Starting with WhisperApp v0.10.11, we embed VersionInfo (file properties) into the executables. This provides:
- Visible product name, company name, and version under file Properties (right-click → Properties → Details)
- Lower chance of antivirus tools flagging the file as "unknown origin"
We will continue to improve this — including pursuing a code-signing certificate and more trustworthy distribution channels — in future releases.
Summary
- The warnings exist because WhisperApp is not code-signed, not because it contains malicious code
- If concerned, scan the file with VirusTotal before running
- During install: Unblock → SmartScreen "Run anyway" → AV "Allow"
- For repeated runtime warnings, add
%LocalAppData%\WhisperApp\to your antivirus exclusion list - v0.10.11 embeds file properties; further mitigations are ongoing
If you have any questions or run into trouble, please reach out via the in-app Feedback button (in the toolbar).
