Frequently asked questions

Getting started

What does Blanky run on?

Windows 11, and Windows 10 version 2004 or later, on x64 and Arm64 PCs.

How do I install Blanky?

1. Download Blanky-Setup-x64.exe. On a Snapdragon or other Arm64 PC, download Blanky-Setup-arm64.exe instead.
2. Run it. Blanky installs for your account in a few seconds, without asking for admin rights, and opens.

You'll find it in the Start menu and on your desktop.

Blanky isn't code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen may say it "protected your PC" the first time. Choose More info, then Run anyway. The code is open, and every release is built from the public repository by GitHub Actions.

How do I update Blanky?

You don't need to. Blanky checks GitHub for a new version when it starts and every few hours, and downloads it in the background. A Restart to update button then appears at the top of the window. If you don't click it, the update is installed the next time you close Blanky. Your presets and settings carry over.

How do I uninstall Blanky?

Open Settings > Apps > Installed apps, find Blanky and choose Uninstall. Your presets, settings and imported sounds stay in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Blanky in case you reinstall; delete that folder to remove them too.

I used the zip version of Blanky. How do I switch?

Run the installer as above. Your presets and settings are kept, since Blanky stores them separately from the app. Then delete the folder you extracted the zip into.

Does Blanky work offline?

Yes. All sounds are bundled with the app. The only thing Blanky does online is check for updates, and when you're offline it simply tries again later.

Sounds and presets

How do I play sounds?

Click a sound to add it to your mix, and click it again to take it out. Each sound has its own volume slider. The play button pauses and resumes everything, and the slider next to it sets the overall volume.

Can I add my own sounds?

Yes. Use the + button at the top of the sidebar, then Import Sound or Preset (Ctrl+I). Blanky imports M4A, MP3, WAV, FLAC, AAC and WMA (plus Ogg and Opus with Microsoft's free Web Media Extensions), and matches each import to the same loudness as the built-in sounds.

How do I save a mix?

On the All Blanky Sounds page, pick your sounds and click Save as Preset (Ctrl+N). Changes you make while a preset is playing are saved into it automatically. Right-click a preset to rename it, give it its own accent color, export it or delete it.

Can I use presets from Blankie on my Mac?

Yes. Blanky reads .blankie files exported from Blankie, including any custom sounds inside them. Blanky exports .blanky files with the same layout.

Why does only one music sound play at a time?

Sounds marked with a music note (Ambient Synth, Gentle Guitar, Lo-Fi Beats and Warm Piano) are songs. Starting one stops the other, so two tracks never clash. Nature and noise sounds can be layered freely.

Playback

What are the keyboard shortcuts?

• Space plays or pauses.
• Ctrl+↑ and Ctrl+↓ change the overall volume.
• Ctrl+→ and Ctrl+← move between favorites.
• Ctrl+N saves a new preset, Ctrl+I imports, Ctrl+S shows or hides the sidebar.

Will Blanky keep my PC awake?

Only while it's playing. Once your mix is paused (by you or the sleep timer), Blanky releases the audio device so Windows can sleep as usual.

Free and open source

Is Blanky free?

Yes, completely, with no ads, subscriptions or tracking. If you'd like to support it, you can buy me a coffee, sponsor on GitHub or star therepository.

How is Blanky related to Blankie and Blanket?

Blanket is the original ambient sound app for Linux.Blankie brought the idea to Mac, iPhone and iPad. Blanky is an independent Windows app inspired by both. It uses the same openly licensed sounds and a design modeled on Blankie, but it's built separately in C# and WinUI.

Where do I report a bug or ask for a feature?

Open an issue on GitHub. Including %LOCALAPPDATA%\Blanky\blanky.log helps with audio problems.

Back to home