Windows Installation Guide

This guide will walk you through installing Sokuji on Windows systems. Sokuji is available as a .exe installer for easy installation on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Download for Windows

System Requirements

  • Windows 10 (version 1903 or later) or Windows 11
  • 64-bit processor
  • 4GB RAM minimum (8GB recommended)
  • 200MB available disk space
  • Internet connection for AI translation services
  • Microphone and speakers/headphones

Step 1: Download Sokuji

Visit the official GitHub releases page to download the latest version of Sokuji for Windows.

Choose the Right Installer

  • .exe installer - Standard installer for Windows
  • Portable version - No installation required (if available)

Step 2: Run the Installer

Once downloaded, locate the installer file and run it to begin installation.

Windows Defender SmartScreen

When you run the installer, Windows Defender SmartScreen may prevent the app from starting:

Windows Defender SmartScreen warning
  1. Click "More info" on the SmartScreen warning
  2. The window will expand to show more details:
Windows Defender SmartScreen expanded view
  1. Click "Run anyway" to proceed with the installation
Windows may show security warnings for unsigned applications. Sokuji is safe to install. These warnings appear because the app is not yet signed with a commercial certificate.

Step 3: Install VB-CABLE Virtual Audio Device

Sokuji requires VB-CABLE virtual audio device to route audio to other applications. The installer will prompt you to install it automatically.

VB-CABLE Installation

After bypassing SmartScreen, you'll see the VB-CABLE installation prompt:

VB-CABLE installation prompt
  1. Click "Install Now" to automatically download and install VB-CABLE
  2. Alternatively, you can click "Download Manually" to get it from vb-audio.com/Cable
  3. When the User Account Control prompt appears, click "Yes" to allow the installation:
User Account Control prompt for VB-CABLE
  1. The VB-CABLE installer will open. Click "Install Driver":
VB-CABLE installer window
  1. Wait for the installation to complete. You'll see a success message:
VB-CABLE installation complete
  1. Click "OK" on the installation complete dialog
  2. The final confirmation will appear:
VB-CABLE installation success confirmation
  1. Click "OK" to finish the VB-CABLE installation
VB-CABLE creates virtual audio devices that allow Sokuji to pass translated audio to video conferencing applications like Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet.

Step 4: First Run Setup

After VB-CABLE installation, Sokuji will launch automatically and you'll see the audio configuration page:

Verify Audio Devices

Sokuji audio configuration showing VB-CABLE devices

To verify VB-CABLE was installed successfully, open Windows Sound Settings (right-click the speaker icon in the system tray → "Sound settings"):

  • CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable) - Should appear under Recording devices
  • CABLE Input (VB-Audio Virtual Cable) - Should appear under Playback devices

Note: You will not see these CABLE devices in Sokuji's device list — this is by design. Sokuji hides them to prevent accidental audio feedback loops, and automatically detects and uses VB-CABLE in the background.

Complete Setup

  1. Configure your preferred AI provider (OpenAI, Google Gemini, etc.)
  2. Enter your API key for the selected provider
  3. Select source and target languages
  4. Test the audio input/output devices
  5. Select your physical microphone under Microphone
  6. In the Speech block, choose your speakers or headphones as the Default playback device. I hear it too and Translation I hear can each play on their own device; Translation the other side hears goes into the virtual microphone, CABLE Output (VB-Audio Virtual Cable)
Sokuji is now ready to use! You can start real-time translation by clicking the start session button.

Troubleshooting

Windows Defender blocks the installation

If Windows Defender SmartScreen blocks the installation:
  1. Click "More info" on the SmartScreen warning
  2. Click "Run anyway" to proceed with installation
This is a common issue with unsigned applications and does not indicate a security problem.

Microphone not detected or will not open

When the microphone will not open at Start, Sokuji says why:
  • "The microphone “…” is in use by …": another app is holding it. Close the app it names and start again, or click Settings and choose another microphone.
  • "Windows could not open the microphone “…”": another app may be holding it, or its driver stopped responding. Close apps that use it or reconnect it, then start again; Settings lets you choose another microphone.
  • "Windows is not letting Sokuji use the microphone": Windows' privacy settings keep desktop apps off the microphone. Click Open System Settings, turn on microphone access for desktop apps, then start again.
If your microphone is not listed at all:
  1. Open Windows Settings → Privacy & security → Microphone
  2. Ensure microphone access and "Let desktop apps access your microphone" are on
  3. Check your microphone is properly connected and set as default device

No audio output

If you're not hearing any audio:
  1. Right-click the speaker icon in system tray
  2. Select "Open Sound settings"
  3. Verify your output device is correctly selected
  4. Check the volume levels are not muted
  5. In Sokuji's Speech block, check the device of the row you expect to hear: I hear it too for your own translation (off by default), Translation I hear for the other side's, and the Default playback device for everything else

Application won't start

If Sokuji won't start:
  • Try running as Administrator (right-click → Run as administrator)
  • Check if antivirus software is blocking the application
  • Reinstall the application
  • Ensure you have the latest Windows updates installed

VB-CABLE devices not detected

If you don't see CABLE Output/Input devices in Sokuji:
  1. Restart your computer - This often resolves device recognition issues
  2. Check Windows Sound Settings:
    • Right-click the speaker icon in system tray
    • Select "Sound settings"
    • Look for "CABLE Input" in playback devices
    • Look for "CABLE Output" in recording devices
  3. Manually reinstall VB-CABLE:
    • Download from vb-audio.com/Cable
    • Extract the ZIP file
    • Run VBCABLE_Setup_x64.exe as Administrator
    • Restart your computer after installation
  4. Check Device Manager:
    • Open Device Manager (Win+X → Device Manager)
    • Look under "Sound, video and game controllers"
    • Verify "VB-Audio Virtual Cable" is listed without errors