In comparison with smartphone versions, the Windows version allows for concurrent texts, fast hovering, and parallel lists for words and characters.
A Microsoft Store version is also available but at the moment it is not yet stabilized.
With universities and institutions quickly moving to AI, DDB Access remains helpful to audit AI results and thwart AI hallucinations, as well as for any scholars wanting to challenge AI interpretations.
However, as a vintage application maintained by a vintage developer, both this site and the store version may vanish at any time. Providing a stable, up-to-date reinstallable version remains an essential objective.
Frequent users should prefer the reinstallable version below and keep a copy of the installation file.
- Dictionaries updated.
- Access to Japan mirror restored.
Previous version: v2025.03 Legacy version: v2025.03
- System requirements: Windows 10 or 11.
- Ignore SmartScreen warnings (blue screen):
Windows protected your PC > More info > Run anyway
- Keep a copy of the installation file.
Due to hardened Windows security, just reaching the blue screen might require additional steps.
To my US users: I have always been committed to providing high-quality software for free. However, with the recent changes in Windows security policies and related certificates, the cost of 'free' has become prohibitive. The financial and administrative burden of simply 'existing' on Windows is no longer sustainable for an independent developer.
1) After 15 years, the application needs a full rewrite to facilitate maintenance.
A Microsoft Store (Windows Store) version with automatic updates, similar to the classical version above (manual updates but reinstallable) has been a long time target. Last year, the modern WinUI 3 framework was seen as an adequate basis, but it eventually appeared as incredibly complex and unstable.
A work is in progress for a modernized version with the "obsolete" WPF framework. The best guarantee is that it is still in use by large corporations, starting with Microsoft for their internal needs.
At the moment, the publication is temporarily restarted with the initial software (classical version) and WinUI 3 (store version).
2) Another serious issue is the growing cost of code signing certificates. With a slightly different renewed certificate, some time will be required to re-establish the SmartScreen reputation with a number of user approved downloads.
