How to Install Raw Accel - Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (2026)

How to Install Raw Accel - Step-by-Step Installation Guide

If you want better control over your mouse movement, Raw Accel is one of the most popular tools available. However, many people feel unsure while installing it because Raw Accel uses a system-level driver.

Don't worry. This guide will walk you through every step of the installation process in simple, clear language. Whether you are a complete beginner or someone who has tried and failed before, this article will help you get Raw Accel up and running on your PC.

Table of Contents

What You Should Know Before Installing

Before you begin, there are a few important things to understand about Raw Accel:

Raw Accel is Windows-only. It does not work on macOS or Linux. You need Windows 10 or Windows 11 to use it.
It installs a system-level driver. This is how Raw Accel intercepts and modifies mouse input at a low level for maximum precision and consistency.
Windows may show security warnings. Since the software installs a driver, Windows User Account Control (UAC) and SmartScreen may display prompts. This is completely normal and expected.

As long as you download Raw Accel from the official source, there is nothing to worry about. The software is open-source and widely trusted by the gaming community.

Step-by-Step Raw Accel Installation Guide

Check System Requirements

Before downloading anything, make sure your system meets the following requirements:

Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit recommended)
Permissions: Administrator access on your PC
Mouse: A working USB or wireless mouse
Updates: Basic Windows updates should be installed for driver compatibility

If your system meets these requirements, you are ready to proceed.

Download Raw Accel From The Official Source

Always download Raw Accel from the official source to ensure you get a safe and up-to-date version. The safest place to download is the official GitHub releases page:

Official GitHub: github.com/RawAccelOfficial/rawaccel/releases/latest
Our Download Page: rawaccel.co/download

Avoid downloading from third-party websites, forums, or file-sharing platforms. These may contain outdated, modified, or potentially unsafe files.

Extract the ZIP File

Once the download is complete, you will have a ZIP file. To extract it:

Right-click the downloaded ZIP file.
Select Extract All and choose a destination folder.
Wait for the extraction to complete.

Important: Do not try to run the installer directly from inside the ZIP file. Windows may not grant proper permissions, and the installation could fail or be incomplete.

Prepare Windows

Before running the installer, temporarily close any third-party mouse software that might interfere with the driver installation. This includes:

Logitech G HUB
Razer Synapse
Corsair iCUE
SteelSeries GG
Any other mouse management software

You can re-open these programs after Raw Accel is installed and your computer has been restarted.

Run the Installer as Administrator

Navigate to the extracted Raw Accel folder and find the installer file. To run it properly:

Right-click the installer file.
Select Run as Administrator.

Running as administrator is essential because Raw Accel needs elevated permissions to install its kernel-level driver. Without administrator rights, the installation will fail.

Allow Windows Security Prompts

During installation, Windows may show one or more security prompts:

User Account Control (UAC): Click Yes to allow the installer to make changes.
Windows SmartScreen: Click More info, then Run anyway.
Driver signature warning: Click Install this driver software anyway if prompted.

These warnings appear because the software installs a system driver. Since you downloaded from the official source, it is safe to proceed. Microsoft explains that UAC prompts are a standard security measure for driver installations.

Install The Raw Accel Driver

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the driver installation. The process usually takes only a few seconds.

Important: Do not unplug your mouse during the installation process. Disconnecting your input device while a driver is being installed can cause issues.

Restart Your Computer

After the installation is complete, you must restart your computer. This step is required for the Raw Accel driver to load properly into the system.

Do not skip this step. Without a restart, the driver will not be active, and Raw Accel will not function correctly.

Launch Raw Accel After Restart

Once your PC has restarted, navigate to the Raw Accel folder and launch the application:

Right-click on RawAccel.exe.
Select Run as Administrator.

Running as administrator ensures that Raw Accel can communicate with the driver and save your settings properly.

Confirm Installation Is Working

To verify that Raw Accel is installed and working correctly, check for the following:

The Raw Accel app opens normally without error messages.
The interface shows the acceleration curve and settings panel.
Your mouse continues to function normally.
You can enable acceleration and click Apply without errors.

If everything looks good, congratulations! Raw Accel is successfully installed and ready to use. You can now start configuring your settings by reading our How to Use Raw Accel guide.

Common Installation Problems

If you run into issues during or after installation, here are the most common problems and their fixes:

App Doesn't Open After Installation

This usually happens when the app is not run with administrator privileges. Right-click on RawAccel.exe and select Run as Administrator. If that doesn't work, try reinstalling the software.

Driver Error During Installation

If you see a driver-related error, try the following: uninstall Raw Accel completely, restart your computer, then reinstall as administrator. Make sure no other mouse software is running during installation.

Antivirus Blocks The Installation

Some antivirus programs may flag the Raw Accel driver as suspicious. This is a false positive. Add the Raw Accel folder to your antivirus safe list or whitelist, then try the installation again.

For more detailed troubleshooting, read our complete guide: Why Is My Raw Accel Not Working?

Tips After Installation

Now that Raw Accel is installed, keep these tips in mind for the best experience:

Don't install multiple acceleration tools at the same time. Running Raw Accel alongside other mouse acceleration software can cause conflicts and unpredictable behavior.
Always run Raw Accel as Administrator. This ensures the app can communicate with the driver and save your settings.
Make small changes at a time. Avoid changing too many settings at once. Small, incremental adjustments help you find the right feel without losing control.
Test your changes in practice. After adjusting settings, test them in your games or daily workflow before making more changes. Give your muscle memory time to adapt.

What to Do Next

If you need to remove Raw Accel for any reason, follow our step-by-step guide: How to Uninstall Raw Accel.

Ready to configure your settings? Read the complete guide: How to Use Raw Accel.

Looking for game-specific settings? Check out Best Raw Accel Settings for Valorant.

Want to calculate your effective sensitivity? Try our eDPI Calculator or Sensitivity Converter.

Conclusion

Installing Raw Accel is a straightforward process as long as you follow the correct steps. The key points to remember are: always download from the official source, run the installer as administrator, allow the security prompts, and restart your PC after installation.

Once installed, Raw Accel gives you powerful control over your mouse movement, making it a valuable tool for gaming and everyday use. Take your time to explore the settings and find what works best for you.

Guides

How to Use Raw Accel

A beginner-friendly guide to configuring Raw Accel from opening the app to finding your perfect settings.

How to Uninstall Raw Accel

Learn how to completely remove Raw Accel from your system including driver cleanup and settings reset.

Best Raw Accel Settings for Valorant

Find the optimal Raw Accel configuration for competitive Valorant play with recommended values.