# How to Open Spikemark

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Opening your show file directly does not always allow Spikemark to operate in the most efficient manner.**

**This can result in degraded performance as well as missing features such as Firmware Updates.**
{% endhint %}

## Ways to Open Spikemark Correctly

1. Through the Start Menu
2. Windows Shortcut
3. Task Bar

#### Open Spikemark through the Start Menu

1. Click on Start or press the Windows Key
2. Type in `Spikemark`
3. Click on **Spikemark App**
4. Open your show file from **File>Open**

<figure><img src="/files/oK3j9W3iOdioSqQly5iS" alt=""><figcaption><p>Open Spikemark from Start</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Create and Open Spikemark from a Windows Shortcut

1. Navigate to Spikemark.exe in your programs folder
   1. Default location is `C:\Program Files\Spikemark`
2. Single left click on **SpikeMark.exe** to highlight it
3. Press **CTRL+C** to copy
4. Right click on the Desktop and select **Paste shortcut**
5. Double-click on the shortcut that says SpikeMarke.exe - Shortcut to open
6. Open your show file from **File>Open**

<figure><img src="/files/HLzJMnJacuewLqe0C2Ur" alt=""><figcaption><p>Create and Open Spikemark Shortcut</p></figcaption></figure>

#### Pin and Open Spikemark from the Taskbar

1. Click on Start or press the Windows Key
2. Type in `Spikemark`
3. Right click on **Spikemark App** and select **Pin to taskbar**
4. Click on the Spikemark icon from the Taskbar to open
5. Open your show file from **File>Open**

<figure><img src="/files/96rmxWQ2lGH6Ta2A0vLm" alt=""><figcaption><p>Pin and Open Spikemark from the Taskbar</p></figcaption></figure>

## Open a show file in Spikemark

1. Press **Ctrl+O**

\-- **or --**

1. Click on **File** in the top left corner of the menu bar
2. Click on **Open**
3. Navigate to your show file in File Explorer and click Open

<figure><img src="/files/leSkZyVjwjVV91vvhovc" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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