New Computer Setup Guide
New Computer Setup Guide
© 2026 Stenograph L.L.C
Welcome to New Computer Setup Guide. This guide will help you get CATalyst installed along with all your files, get real time working, and be able to record audio. Simply follow the directions and you’ll be up and running in no time ready for your next job. If you have a question or need assistance, please contact Technical Support at 1-800-323-4247.
System Zvinodiwa
Operating System
Windows 11
Computer processor
An Intel Core 5 or 7, Intel Ultra 5, 7, or 9, or AMD Ryzen 5, 7, or 9 processor.
NOTE: There is a processor type called an ARM Processor. This processor is commonly called Snapdragon for Windows computers. This processor is not compatible with CATalyst due to driver incompatibility. Please be aware of what processor is on the computer before purchasing.
RAM
8 GB of RAM or more.
If using CATalyst VP with Dragon Naturally Speaking, 16 GB of RAM or more is recommended.
Hard Drive
256 GB hard drive or larger.
Vadivelu Comedy Audio files, including Direct Audio files, take up the most space in CATalyst. Having enough storage on your computer is essential in keeping CATalyst and other programs running efficiently.
Ports
A USB port for the writer to write Realtime, update the writer dictionary, and update the writer software.
USB-C ports are compatible but require a USB-C to USB adapter. A Luminex II and NexGen writer can use a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Kubatana kweInternet
A stable, high speed internet connection is essential for many of CATalyst’s advanced features like Cloud Backup & RealTeam. It is recommended that your internet connection has a minimum download speed of 10/Mbps and a minimum upload speed of 5/Mbps.
Using Direct Audio and the Stenograph Virtual Audio Cables for web conferencing platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.) can also affect your internet connection due to video and audio streaming from the platform. If using Stenograph Virtual Audio Cables for Direct Audio, it is recommended your internet connection exceeds the above minimum internet connection requirements.
Mamwe Mashoko
Many CATalyst editing commands rely on the Function Keys (F1 – F12), especially the F4 key when inserting format symbols. Computer manufacturers have changed the default Function Keys to Activity Keys (increase/decrease volume, increase/decrease screen brightness, etc.) and this can cause these editing commands to not function. If your computer’s Function Keys are Activity keys, consult your computer’s documentation or contact the manufacturer for assistance on changing the Activity Keys to Function Keys.
Laptop and Desktop computers are beginning to use higher definition displays which can cause applications like CATalyst to appear blurry. If CATalyst appears blurry, the following article can help resolve this issue.
While these are the minimum requirements for CATalyst, Stenograph cannot guarantee compatibility with all makes and models of computers. We recommend asking the store or manufacturer about their return policy just in case an issue arises.
Downloading CATalyst
Zvichienderana nezvako web browser there are different methods to download CATalyst. We will cover the three most common web browsers, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
The difference between with IVT and without IVT is with IVT includes the Integrated Video Training videos that show basic features of CATalyst for new users as well as some other commonly used features. Downloading CATalyst with IVT is a larger download than without IVT so the download time will increase.
If you are not sure which version to download, open CATalyst on another computer and go to Help, About Case CATalyst (Alt-h, a). On the top, left side, you will see Version: xx.xx Build: xxxxx. This is the version of CATalyst currently installed on your computer. Choose that version to download.
NOTE: Sometimes we are asked where to download the Student version or Edit version of CATalyst. The download of CATalyst is the same for all customers. What determines your access, Full, Edit, or Student, is your Product Key Code (PKC). Once the PKC is activated, then you will have access to CATalyst as well as the features associated with your PKC.
Google Chrome
1) Click the following link to access the Stenograph Downloads page.
2) Right click on the version of CATalyst you need to download, and choose Save link as… A Save As dialog box will appear. By default, the CATalyst Setup will be saved in your Downloads folder. To change to a different folder, click the save location on the left side. Click Save to begin downloading CATalyst.
3) In the upper right corner of Chrome there will be a download icon 
. Click the download icon and you should see Chrome has “blocked” the download. Click Keep, to download CATalyst.
4) Once the download is finished, click on the Setup to begin the installation.
© 2026 Stenograph L.L.C
Microsoft Edge
1) Click the following link to access the Stenograph Downloads page. Click the version of CATalyst you need to download.
2) You will receive a security warning from Microsoft Edge saying the setup can’t be downloaded securely. Click the three dots next to the error and click Keep.
Another security warning will appear saying this file can’t be downloaded securely. Click Keep Anyway.
3) Once the download is completed, click Open file kutanga kuisirwa.
Microsoft Edge
1) Click the following link to access the Stenograph Downloads peji. Click the version of CATalyst you need to download.
2) You will receive a security warning from Microsoft Edge saying the setup can’t be downloaded securely. Click the three dots next to the error and click Keep.
Another security warning will appear saying izvi file can’t be downloaded securely. Dzvanya Chengeta Zvakadaro.
3) Once the download is completed, click Vhura file kutanga kuisirwa.
© 2026 Stenograph L.L.C 6
Mozilla Firefox
1) A message may appear in the upper right corner saying File not downloaded: Potential security risk.
2) Click the arrow on the right side and select Allow Download kuti download the file.
3) While CATalyst is downloading click on Tools, Downloads (Ctrl-j) ku view the Vadivelu Comedy Downloads window. Once the download is completed, tinya kaviri on the setup file to install CATalyst.
© 2026 Stenograph L.L.C 7
Installing CATalyst
1) If you’ve clicked on the Setup file in the previous steps, you should already be on the first screen that says, “Welcome to the Case CATalyst Version ‘X’ Setup Wizard”. Dzvanya Next
CHERECHEDZA: When you run the Setup, you may receive a message from Windows saying, “Do you wish to allow the following program from an unknown publisher to make changes to this computer?” Dzvanya Ehe kuenderera mberi.
2) At the Rezinesi Chibvumirano screen choose Ndinogamuchira zviga zveChibvumirano cheRezinesi uye tinya Next.
© 2026 Stenograph L.L.C 8
3) At the Data Privacy skrini, tinya Next.
4) Mune Case CATalyst Security screen, type in your Product Key Code (PKC) and click Next.
CHERECHEDZA: If you do not have your PKC, click Next and you will be prompted to enter it the first time you run CATalyst.
5) At the Choose Components screen click Typical uye tinya Next.
6) At the User Information screen, type in your name in the Zita remushandisi munda ndokudzvanya Next.
7) At the Remote Platform Recording – Virtual Cables skrini, sarudza I want to install Stenograph Virtual Cables uye tinya Next. Kana iwe usa want to install the Stenograph Virtual Cables, leave I do not want to install Stenograph Virtual Cables selected and click Next.
CHERECHEDZA: If you are installing CATalyst 21 or lower, you can skip this step.
8) Confirm your settings and click Install. Now CATalyst will begin installing.
9) When the installation is complete click Finish kuvhara Wizard.
CHERECHEDZA: After installing the Stenograph Virtual Cables, Windows will set those cables as the default sound device, and you’ll need to change your Windows Sound Settings back to their default devices. See our article Changing Sound Settings to Default Devices kuti ubatsirwe.
Installing Writer Drivers
Now it’s time to install the drivers for your writer so you can write Realtime. This section applies to the Luminex family and NexGen writers. Make sure your writer is connected to your computer with a USB cable before you install the drivers.
1) Open CATalyst. From Manage Jobs click on Help, zvino Vhura Device Manager.
2) In Device Manager look for a category that says Zvimwe Zvishandiso. Below that you should see a yellow exclamation point that says Luminex Machine, Diamante Machine, Stenograph Elan Mira, or Stenograph Fusion. Tinya kurudyi on the yellow exclamation point and left click on Update Driver.
3) The Update Driver Software Wizard will appear. Click on Browse my computer for driver software.
4) In the next screen type C:\Cat4\Drivers\Writer (or copy and paste this text) in the Search for driver software in this location munda. Wobva wadzvanya Next.
5) The drivers will install. You may be prompted to verify whether you want to install the driver; click Install. When the driver has finished installing, click Close.
6) This will bring you back to Device Manager. You should see a new category that says Stenograph USB Writer pamwe Steno Machine listed below it. You can close Device Manager and the System Properties windows.
Kuisa Power Options
To keep this guide as short as possible, the following links will show you how to set the power options for Windows 11 computers.
Setting Up Audio
To keep this guide as short as possible, the following links will show you how to set up audio on Windows 11 computers.
To setup Single Channel audio, please look at our Single Channel guide.
To setup Direct Audio, look at our Direct Audio guide.
Kutsigira files from CATalyst
Now you need to back up your files from the old computer so they can be restored to the new computer.
CHERECHEDZA: If you have a Cloud Backup account, you can restore your files from the cloud instead. Click here for more information. Student CATalyst users do not have access to Cloud Backup.
1) On your old computer, from Manage Jobs click on Zvishandiso, Backup (Ctrl-b).
2) The Backup dialog box displays. In this example we will be backing up our System Files to a USB flash drive.
• On the left-hand side, in the Copy from: box, place a check next to the files and cases to back up.
• On the right-hand side, in the Save in: box, click the down arrow and select the USB flash drive.
• At the bottom of the dialog box is the File zita: box. Type a name for the backup and click Sevha.
3) If your backup file contains audio, you may receive a dialog box letting you know that the backup contains audio. Choose Ehe to continue backing up the file with audio, Aihwa to back up the file without audio, or Cancel to stop the backup and return to Manage Jobs.
Kudzorera Files into CATalyst
Now it’s time to bring your files onto your new computer. We’ll be using the Restore feature in CATalyst to bring the files mu.
1) Open CATalyst on your new computer. You should be at the Chikamu chevashandisi. Double click on your name to go into the user. Your user will look like this.
ZANO: If you would like CATalyst to automatically log into your user when open the program, after you double click your name click Zvishandiso, Auto Logon. In the Auto Logon dialog box, left click the radio button next to Always start Case CATalyst with user: zita rako, wobva wadzvanya OK.
2) Now click the Tools, Restore (Ctrl+r) to restore your files.
3) The Open window will appear. We need to browse to where our files are located. In this example we will be restoring our System Files kubva kuUSB flash drive.
• First on the left-hand side choose the USB flash drive so that CATalyst displays the files on the flash drive on the right-hand side of the window.
• Then select systemfiles.zip and click Vhura.
4) The Restore window appears.
• The left side of the window shows Restore jobs from and Subfile mhando panes. This pane shows what files you will be restoring.
• The right side shows where your files will be restored to. Make sure that the Restore Jobs To option in the upper right corner is set to C:\Cat4\usr\yourname and that the Keep Case Structure box is checked. Then click OK.
5) A dialog box may open asking if you want to replace the existing file. This dialog box appears if CATalyst already has a file ane zita rakafanana nerekuti file you’re restoring. Since this is a new computer, CATalyst only has the default files and not any of your backed-up files. In this case you will want to choose Yes to All.
6) Once the restore is finished, it will bring you back to the Manage Jobs screen. If there are other files you would like to restore, repeat this same process.
Testing Realtime
1) The last thing you need to do with your new computer is to test realtime and AudioSync to make sure it’s all working. To do this open CATalyst and from Manage Jobs click the Shandura icon pa Basa Bar kana kudzvanya Ctrl+t.
2) The Translate window will appear. In the lower left corner, click on Options.
3) The Options window will open.
• Dzvanya pa Realtime tab pamusoro.
• Under the Realtime tab on the left-hand side is the Realtime Writer field. Make sure it’s set to your writer. In this example we are using a Luminex II with a USB cable, so we are selecting Stenograph Writer USB.
• Mu Codec: section, click the down arrow to select a codec. For more information using Codecs in CATalyst click here.
• Also make sure the Audio Input drop down menu is set to Default. Once you’ve set your options, click Shandisa zvino OK.
4) Now you’re back to the translate window.
• In the top left-hand side next to Steno Source, you need make sure it says Munyori. • You also need to click the down arrow next to Layout File and select your layout. • On the right-hand side, you need to make sure both check boxes next to Record Audio are checked.
• Then in the bottom left, type a file zita mu File Zita field and click OK.
The Translate window will go away and a new file will open. You should see a dialog box appear that says Connected to Writer…Stroke a Key to Begin Writing. Write a few strokes on your writer and they should appear in the CATalyst transcript window.
Zvinyorwa / Zvishandiso
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