How to Install Safe Exam Browser on Windows — Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Installing Safe Exam Browser on Windows is a straightforward process that takes less than five minutes. This guide walks you through every step — from downloading the correct installer to launching SEB for the first time. Whether you are a student preparing for an upcoming exam or an IT administrator deploying SEB across multiple machines, this guide covers everything you need.
System Requirements for Windows
Before downloading Safe Exam Browser, verify your system meets the following minimum requirements:
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel/AMD dual-core 1.6 GHz | Quad-core 2.0 GHz+ |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB or more |
| Storage | 200 MB free space | 500 MB free space |
| Display | 1024 × 768 | 1920 × 1080 |
| Internet | Required for exam access | Stable broadband |
| Admin Rights | Required for installation | Required for installation |
Step 1: Downloading the Installer
Always download Safe Exam Browser from the official source. Using unofficial mirrors risks downloading modified or outdated versions.
Go to the Official Download Page
Navigate to the Safe Exam Browser download page on this website, or visit the official GitHub releases page directly.
Select the Windows Version
Click the Windows download button to download SEB_3.10.1.864_SetupBundle.exe (approximately 68 MB). This is the full bundle installer which includes all required components.
Verify the File (Optional but Recommended)
After downloading, verify the SHA-1 hash of the file matches the value shown on the download page. This confirms the file has not been tampered with. You can check the hash using Windows PowerShell: Get-FileHash .\SEB_3.10.1.864_SetupBundle.exe -Algorithm SHA1
Step 2: Running the Setup Wizard
Launch the Installer
Double-click the downloaded .exe file. If Windows SmartScreen shows a warning, click "More info" and then "Run anyway." This warning appears because the file is newly downloaded from the internet — the software itself is safe and open source.
User Account Control Prompt
Windows will ask if you want to allow this app to make changes to your device. Click Yes to proceed. Administrator privileges are required for installation.
Welcome Screen
The Safe Exam Browser Setup Wizard will open. Click Next to continue.
License Agreement
Read the Mozilla Public License 2.0. Select "I accept the terms in the License Agreement" and click Next.
Installation Folder
The default installation path is C:\Program Files\SafeExamBrowser\. Unless you have a specific reason to change it, leave this as default and click Next.
Install
Click Install to begin the installation. The wizard will copy all files, register components, and create a Start menu shortcut. The process typically takes 30–90 seconds.
Finish
When installation is complete, click Finish. Safe Exam Browser is now installed on your system.
Step 3: First Launch and Configuration
Safe Exam Browser is not a browser you simply open and browse freely. It requires either a configuration file (.seb) provided by your institution or manual configuration by an administrator. Here is what to expect on first launch:
- If you launch SEB without a configuration file, it will open in a default mode where you can enter an exam URL manually.
- If your institution provided a .seb configuration file, double-click it to launch SEB with the correct settings automatically loaded.
- SEB will lock your screen immediately on launch. Use the quit password provided by your administrator (or press Ctrl+Q and enter the quit password) to exit SEB.
- The default quit password is blank in unrestricted configurations — pressing Ctrl+Q twice will close SEB if no password has been set.
Android Installation
Safe Exam Browser is not available on Android. The officially supported mobile platform is iOS (iPad). If your institution requires mobile device support, they will provide specific instructions for iOS setup via the App Store (App ID: 1155002964).
For Android users, institutions typically require the use of a Windows or macOS machine for SEB-protected exams, or they offer an alternative mobile assessment path that does not require SEB.
Common Installation Problems and Fixes
SEB installer won't run
Ensure you have administrator rights on the machine. Right-click the installer and select "Run as administrator" if the normal double-click does not work.
Windows Defender or antivirus blocks the installer
This can occasionally happen with newly released versions. Temporarily disable real-time protection, run the installer, then re-enable it. SEB is clean and verified on VirusTotal. Always download from the official source to ensure safety.
Installation fails partway through
Ensure your Windows installation is fully up to date. Try running the installer with logging enabled via Command Prompt: SEB_3.10.1.864_SetupBundle.exe /L*V install_log.txt
SEB is installed but won't launch
Check that the Windows .NET runtime is installed. SEB for Windows requires .NET Framework 4.8 or later, which is included by default on Windows 10 1903+ and Windows 11.
Continue Learning
Frequently Asked Questions
Download Safe Exam Browser for Windows Now
Get the latest version — free, open source, and verified clean.
Download Now