Windows setup

1. Turn off Core isolation / Memory Integrity

Memory Integrity (a.k.a. HVCI) blocks known vulnerable signed drivers. The reader uses ASTRA64.sys, which Windows Defender will refuse to load while Memory Integrity is on.

1. Open Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details.
2. Toggle Memory integrity to Off.
3. Reboot when prompted.

If the toggle is grayed out, you may need to disable it via Group Policy or BIOS first.

2. Add an exclusion to Windows Defender

Windows Defender may flag reader.exe or ASTRA64.sys as vulnerable driver software or unknown executable.

1. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings → Exclusions.
2. Add a folder exclusion for the folder containing reader.exe.
3. Or add file exclusions for reader.exe and ASTRA64.sys.

3. Allow the reader through the firewall

The reader sends game data over UDP to the hosted radar server. Outbound traffic is usually allowed, but strict firewall profiles may block it.

1. Open Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall.
2. Click Change settings → Allow another app.
3. Browse to reader.exe and add it for both private and public networks.

4. Always run reader.exe as Administrator

The reader creates and starts the ASTRA64 kernel service. This requires administrator rights. If you double-click normally, the driver will fail to load with DRIVER_LOAD_FAILED.

1. Right-click reader.exe.
2. Select Run as administrator.
3. Click Yes on the UAC prompt.

5. SmartScreen / unknown app warning

Unsigned or freshly built executables may show a SmartScreen block. Click More info then Run anyway. There is no installer; the zip is portable.

6. Secure Boot

ASTRA64.sys is signed, so Secure Boot does not need to be disabled. If you disabled it for an older unsigned driver, you can leave it on for this build.

7. Optional: disable third-party antivirus

Some AV products flag vulnerable drivers harder than Defender does. If the driver fails to load and Memory Integrity is already off, check your AV quarantine and exclusions.