> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hyperwhisper.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# General Settings

> Configure how HyperWhisper launches, behaves in the background, handles updates, and reports errors.

General Settings is the first sidebar section in HyperWhisper's Settings window. It controls app-level behavior — how the app starts, how it appears on screen, whether it checks for updates, and how it handles error reporting.

## Opening General Settings

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Click the HyperWhisper menu bar icon, then choose **Settings**. The General sidebar section opens automatically.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Click the HyperWhisper tray icon (or open the main window), then navigate to **Settings** and select **General** in the sidebar.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Application Behavior

### Launch on login / Launch at startup

When enabled, HyperWhisper starts automatically when you log in to your computer. On macOS this uses the system's native login item service (`SMAppService`); on Windows it registers a startup entry.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Labeled **Launch on login**. If macOS rejects the change (for example, because the app is unsigned or you denied the system prompt), the toggle snaps back to its actual state automatically.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Labeled **Launch at startup**. If enabling or disabling fails, an error message is shown explaining that you may need to check your startup permissions.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Launch minimized

When enabled alongside **Launch on login / Launch at startup**, HyperWhisper starts in the background without showing its main window.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    The app is accessible via the menu bar icon. The main window stays hidden until you open it manually.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    The app launches hidden in the system tray. Click the tray icon to open the main window.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Show in Dock

<Note>
  This setting is macOS only.
</Note>

When enabled, the HyperWhisper app icon appears in the macOS Dock. When disabled, the app runs as a menu-bar-only app with no Dock presence. Changing this takes effect immediately.

### Minimize to system tray

<Note>
  This setting is Windows only.
</Note>

When enabled, closing the HyperWhisper window minimizes it to the system tray rather than quitting the app. The app continues running in the background; click the tray icon to restore the window.

### Show recording window

When enabled, a floating overlay appears on screen while you are recording and while HyperWhisper is processing your audio. Both macOS and Windows show an animated waveform.

Disable this if you find the overlay distracting or if you prefer a more discreet recording experience.

***

## Logging and Updates

### Error logging / Send error reports

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Labeled **Error logging**. When enabled, HyperWhisper automatically captures and sends error reports to help improve the app.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Labeled **Send error reports**. When enabled, crash reports are sent automatically. Your transcriptions are never included in these reports.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

You can turn this off at any time if you prefer not to share diagnostic data.

### Auto update / Check for updates automatically

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Labeled **Auto update**. When enabled, HyperWhisper automatically checks for and downloads new versions.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Labeled **Check for updates automatically**. When enabled, HyperWhisper silently checks for new versions on startup.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

See [Updates](/updates) for details on the update process.

***

## Support

The **Need help?** row in General Settings opens the HyperWhisper support page in your browser, where you can contact the support team directly.

You can also reach support at [support@hyperwhisper.com](mailto:support@hyperwhisper.com) or via the [support page](https://www.hyperwhisper.com/support).

***

## App version

The current version and build number are shown at the bottom of the General Settings panel. This is useful when contacting support or checking whether you have the latest release.