Troubleshooting SRWare Iron on Windows

1) Download problems — page loads but file doesn't start

Symptoms: clicking the download button leads to no download, a blocked popup, or a redirect to tracking URL that fails. Do these steps in order:

1. Check browser console (F12 → Network) for blocked requests or errors.
2. Try the official mirror link: srware_iron64.exe. If this downloads, the gateway chain may be the issue.
3. Disable aggressive extensions (adblockers, privacy blockers) temporarily — they can block tracked redirectors or CDN domains.
4. Ensure mixed content isn't blocked (HTTPS page triggering HTTP download) — modern setups use HTTPS everywhere; mixed content will be blocked automatically.
5. If using the captcha widget/gateway, check server-side logs (safe_github.php) for validation errors or blocked POSTs.

If download remains impossible, use another browser or device to fetch the installer and transfer it with a trusted medium (USB) to the target PC.

2) SmartScreen / Antivirus blocks the installer

Windows SmartScreen and antivirus software may flag unknown or unsigned installers. Steps to handle safely:

1. Verify source: prefer official mirror (srware.net). Do not run unknown emails or random sites’ binaries.
2. Check file hash if provided by official release notes. In PowerShell:

   Get-FileHash .\srware_iron64.exe -Algorithm SHA256

3. Right-click → Properties → Unblock (if present) to allow Windows to run the file if you trust it.
4. Temporarily disable AV only if absolutely necessary and only for the installation moment; re-enable immediately.
5. For SmartScreen: on the block dialog choose "More info" → "Run anyway" (only if you trust the file). If this option is missing, use official mirror or check enterprise policies that may enforce blocking.

If AV continues to flag the file, submit the file to your AV vendor for analysis and prefer the official mirror while waiting for verdict.

3) Installer errors during setup

If the installer fails or shows an error code, try these approaches:

• Run as Administrator: right-click → Run as administrator.
• Check disk space and permissions on the target install folder (Program Files or custom path).
• Temporarily disable other installers / updaters (Windows Update, package managers) that may lock files.
• Use the offline installer if available to avoid network failures during package extraction.
• Look up the exact error code/message online or post it to the forum with full details (Forum & Community).

If an old version exists, try running the installer to repair/overwrite; if problems persist, uninstall the older build first (backup profiles!), then install fresh.

4) Portable edition — won't start, missing profile, or persistent errors

Common portable issues and fixes:

1. Check that you extracted all files and preserved the folder structure. Executable and profile folder must be in same root.
2. Run from a local disk first — some USB drives have restrictive policies or slow I/O leading to crashes.
3. If profile is missing or corrupt, restore backup: copy the saved profile folder back into the portable folder.
4. Permissions: ensure the current user has write access to the portable folder (right-click → Properties → Security).
5. Antivirus can quarantine portable files; whitelist the portable folder if needed.

If portable repeatedly fails on a specific machine, try creating a fresh portable folder without extensions to isolate root cause.

5) Moving profiles — Chrome → Iron or across machines

To migrate profile data safely:

1. Locate the profile folders: typically under %LOCALAPPDATA%\Iron\User Data\ for installed, or PortableFolder\profile for portable builds.
2. Copy the profile folder (Bookmarks, Extensions, Preferences, Login Data). Prefer copying rather than moving to keep a backup.
3. Start Iron with the copied profile. If errors occur, try copying specific subfolders (Bookmarks, Extensions) incrementally to find problematic data.
4. Extensions: some may require re‑authentication after migration.

If you rely on Chrome sync, prefer exporting bookmarks and passwords via a password manager rather than direct folder copy to avoid incompatibilities.

6) Crashes, freezes or high CPU

If Iron crashes or uses high CPU:

1. Start Iron with extensions disabled (–disable-extensions) or use a fresh profile.
2. Open Task Manager to spot processes with high CPU/memory. Tabs with heavy scripts or extensions can spike usage.
3. Check for GPU driver issues — try launching with hardware acceleration off in settings.
4. Clear cache and disable site isolation features that may increase process count if you have low RAM.
5. Update to the latest build; older versions may have resolved bugs in more recent releases.

If the crash shows a stacktrace or error dump, include it in forum posts to help diagnostics. Also check Windows Event Viewer (Application logs) for faulting module names.

7) Update problems — auto-update fails or manual update doesn't apply

If automatic updates don't work:

• Check network access and firewall rules blocking updater domains or update mechanisms.
• Run the installer manually to update the build; installer typically upgrades the app preserving profile.
• For portable builds, replace binaries while keeping the profile; ensure correct permissions.

If updater is broken frequently, consider a fresh install after backing up profiles, or check for enterprise policies that may block updates.

8) Security & integrity notes

Always prefer official mirrors and verified downloads. Don't run installers from unknown sources. If you maintain a mirror or use a gateway, keep server logs and validation up to date to detect abuse and invalid requests.

Quick troubleshooting checklist

1. Note error text and screenshot the dialog.
2. Try the official mirror download (srware.net).
3. Temporarily disable extensions & antivirus (if safe) to isolate the issue.
4. Run as admin or try portable copy on local disk.
5. Back up profile before major changes and restore if needed.
6. Search or post in Forum & Community with logs and steps to reproduce.

FAQ

Download starts but installer gets deleted/quarantined by antivirus — what to do?

Check quarantine in AV interface; restore and whitelist only if you trust the file and source. Prefer official mirror and submit sample to AV vendor if false positive.

I get SmartScreen "Windows protected your PC" and no "Run anyway" option — why?

Enterprise policies or stricter SmartScreen settings can block unknown apps. Use the official mirror or consult IT policies. As a last resort, run from an admin account or use official signed builds.

After update, Iron crashes immediately — help!

Start with a fresh profile: move the old profile folder aside and launch Iron. If stable, migrate bookmarks/settings incrementally to identify the corrupt item (extension, preference, or cache).

How to report a reproducible bug?

Include exact Iron version, Windows build, steps to reproduce, logs, extension list, and any crash dumps. Attach screenshots and specify whether portable or installer build was used.

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