# Installation and startup

Common problems when installing, launching, or updating Cursor.

## What if I see a blank screen on startup?

- Quit and restart Cursor
- On Mac, drag Cursor to Trash and reinstall from [cursor.com/download](https://cursor.com/download)
- On Windows, run Cursor as administrator
- Open the command palette and run **Clear Editor History** to reset cached state

## How do I update Cursor?

From inside Cursor: press **Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+P**, type **"Cursor: Attempt Update"**, and restart when prompted.

## What are update channels?

- **Stable** (default): recommended for most users
- **Early Access**: pre-release builds with the latest features, may be less stable

Switch channels in **Cursor Settings**.

## What does the macOS "Cursor is damaged" warning mean?

This is a macOS issue, not a corrupted download. To fix it:

First, quit Cursor and force-quit any remaining processes in Activity Monitor. Wait a minute, then reopen Cursor.

If the warning persists:

1. Move Cursor to Trash and empty the Trash. Re-download from [cursor.com/download](https://cursor.com/download)
2. If it still appears, restart your Mac and try again

## How do I free up disk space used by Cursor?

Cursor stores cached data and extensions locally. To reclaim space:

- Remove unused extensions
- Open the command palette and run **Clear Editor History**

## Related

- [Download and install](https://cursor.com/help/getting-started/install.md)
- [Reporting a bug](https://cursor.com/help/troubleshooting/reporting-bugs.md)


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