System
Adjust PixPin startup, clipboard, recognition, translation, tray actions, updates, and proxy settings, and learn how to verify changes and restore defaults.
The System page manages startup, copying and recognition preferences, updates, and network access. Open the PixPin menu in the Windows system tray or macOS menu bar, choose Configuration, then select System on the left. The following sections cover the eight groups on this page.
Most changes take effect immediately without a separate save action. A manual proxy requires verification; administrator mode involves restarting. Read the relevant instructions before proceeding.
System
The System group at the top contains these options:
| Option | Usage |
|---|---|
| Language | Changes the interface language. The default is Follow the system, or you can choose a language. This is separate from the recognition language and translation target |
| Ignore copy keystroke macros | On by default, reducing interference from copy keystrokes simulated by other software during screenshots and other operations. Turn it off if you need macros to trigger copying in PixPin |
| Run After Boot | Available on both platforms, off by default. Starts PixPin when you sign in; macOS manages it as a login item |
| Context menu mode | Windows only. Defaults to Image files only, adding a PixPin pin command to supported image files' context menus. All files extends it to other files; Disabled removes the command |
| Desktop tool Bar display | Floating ball mode shows an expandable ball; Toolbar mode shows the toolbar directly; Disabled hides it. Defaults to floating ball mode; see Desktop floating ball for usage |
| Run as administrator | Windows only, shown when the current account has administrator privileges. The checkbox is unavailable in a process that is not elevated; click Restart as administrator first. Once checked, subsequent launches use administrator privileges |
In Windows administrator mode, you cannot drag content onto the floating ball or desktop toolbar. To use drag and drop, turn off administrator mode and restart with normal privileges. macOS does not show Context menu mode or Run as administrator.
Clipboard
Copy image as file controls whether copying an image also supplies a pasteable image file:
- Auto: the default. Transparent images include a PNG file; opaque images are copied as ordinary images.
- Copy as PNG / JPG / WEBP / BMP / AVIF: always includes a file in the chosen format, which can be pasted into folders or apps that accept files. The receiving app decides whether to use the image or file.
- Disable: does not generate an additional file. Images can still be copied.
Text recognition
These options set the defaults for future text recognition. You can still adjust the current image in the recognition window.
| Option | Usage |
|---|---|
| Text layout | Auto organizes paragraphs from the results; Remove Line Breaks joins them into one paragraph; Multi Line preserves multiple lines. Defaults to automatic |
| Show dialog when | Select Screenshot, Copy Pin selected text, and Copy Pin all text individually; all are checked by default. Unchecking an item copies that type of result directly. The latter two apply to image pins |
| Punctuation processing | Defaults to No Action. You can also convert punctuation to half-width or full-width for consistent formatting |
| Language | Selects the language of text in the image. Defaults to Follow Software, which uses the interface language rather than detecting the image language automatically. Download any language that is not installed |
| Remove Spaces | Removes spaces from recognized text, off by default. Leave it off to retain spaces between English words |
Translation
- Language: selects the target language. Defaults to Follow Software, translating into the current interface language.
- Translation mode: Image to Text produces readable, copyable text; Image to Image produces a translated image.
- Enable fallback language: shown only in Image to Text mode. When source and target languages match, uses the fallback language selected beside it. On by default with English selected. For example, a Chinese target switches to English for Chinese source text.
- Translation service: configure your own credentials. Select Youdao or Baidu, enter the provider's APP ID and key, then click Verification to check them. Setup Tutorial provides instructions. If Using custom API Key appears, check it to enable these fields. Custom credentials apply to Image to Image and do not replace the service used for Image to Text.
System tray
These click actions currently work only on Windows. Action On Single Click, Action On Double Click, and Action On Middle Click configure interactions with the PixPin tray icon. Their defaults are screenshot, no action, and pin, respectively.
Each offers no action, screenshot, pin, open configuration, disable shortcuts, and hide/show all pin windows. Pin reads the clipboard; disable shortcuts toggles between disabling and restoring them.
macOS also shows this group, but menu bar icon clicks do not execute these three actions. Choose a function from the PixPin menu instead.
Updates
Upgrade Config contains the update method, release channel, and check button:
| Control | Usage |
|---|---|
| Update method | Defaults to Auto Upgrade: downloads a new version and schedules installation for the next launch when ready. Update Popups notifies you so you can decide what to do. No Check stops automatic checks; manual checks remain available |
| Release channel | Defaults to Official version. Choosing Beta version requires confirmation; beta versions include newer changes and may have more issues |
| Check for updates | Checks the selected channel immediately. When an update is found, New version available appears; click it to open the update window |
Packages without built-in updating do not show this group. Update through the installation source.
Network proxy
The proxy type offers Use system proxy, No proxy, Socks5, and HTTP. It follows the system by default; no proxy connects PixPin directly. These first two choices need neither a host nor verification.
To use a manual proxy:
Select Socks5 or HTTP to enable the host, port, and Verification controls.
Enter the host address and port supplied by your proxy service.
Click Verification. The proxy applies only after verification succeeds. If it fails, read the message, correct the values, and retry. Verify again after changing an existing host or port.
Share analytics
Automatically send usage statistics (NO PRIVATEDATA) is on by default and controls sending usage statistics. Uncheck it to stop sending them; it does not control screenshots, copying, or recognition.
Restore defaults
To reset this page, click Restore Default at the bottom and confirm. Restore All Default also resets other settings pages; choose the appropriate scope.
Related articles
Document recognition
Recognize screenshots or image pins as documents, edit Markdown against the original, and export Word, PDF, LaTeX, or Markdown with image files.
Account/membership
Sign in with Google, Apple, or email, manage your PixPin account and subscriptions, change email, review devices, redeem codes, and delete your account.