diff --git a/.gitea/workflows/windows-host.yml b/.gitea/workflows/windows-host.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ce2fdef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.gitea/workflows/windows-host.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+# Build the punktfunk Windows HOST as a signed Inno Setup installer and publish it to Gitea's generic
+# package registry, so a Windows GPU box can install the streaming host (SYSTEM service + bundled
+# SudoVDA virtual-display driver) from one signed setup.exe. Runs on the self-hosted Windows runner
+# (host mode; scripts/ci/setup-windows-runner.ps1) — same MSVC/Windows-SDK/LLVM env as windows.yml.
+#
+# Why an installer and not MSIX (like the client): the host installs a LocalSystem SCM service that
+# CreateProcessAsUserW's into the interactive session for secure-desktop capture, and bundles a
+# kernel/IDD driver — neither is expressible in MSIX's sandbox. The real install logic already lives
+# in `punktfunk-host service install` (crates/punktfunk-host/src/service.rs); the installer just lays
+# the exe down and calls it elevated. Packaging internals: packaging/windows/README.md.
+#
+# Registry (public reads, unom org): https://git.unom.io/unom/-/packages  (generic group)
+#
+# Versioning (free-form; not MSIX's 4-part rule):
+#   host-win-vX.Y.Z tag -> X.Y.Z   (a real host release; own tag namespace, off host-v*/win-v*/v*
+#                                   to avoid the version-shadow bug class — see deb.yml).
+#   main push / dispatch -> 0.2.<run_number>  (rolling; climbs monotonically by run number).
+#
+# Signing reuses the client's MSIX_CERT_PFX_B64 / MSIX_CERT_PASSWORD secrets (CN=unom). Without them
+# an ephemeral self-signed cert is generated and its public .cer published next to the installer
+# (import once to LocalMachine\TrustedPublisher). See packaging/windows/pack-host-installer.ps1.
+#
+# NVENC: the host builds with --features nvenc; the only link need is nvencodeapi.lib, synthesised
+# from a 2-export .def with llvm-dlltool (no GPU/SDK at build time). The resulting exe is NVIDIA-only
+# by design — CI never launches it, so no GPU is needed here.
+name: windows-host
+
+on:
+  push:
+    branches: [main]
+    paths:
+      - 'crates/punktfunk-host/**'
+      - 'crates/punktfunk-core/**'
+      - 'packaging/windows/**'
+      - 'scripts/windows/host.env.example'
+      - 'Cargo.lock'
+      - 'Cargo.toml'
+      - '.gitea/workflows/windows-host.yml'
+    tags: ['host-win-v*']
+  workflow_dispatch:
+
+env:
+  REGISTRY: git.unom.io
+  OWNER: unom
+  PKG: punktfunk-host-windows
+
+jobs:
+  package:
+    runs-on: windows-amd64
+    timeout-minutes: 90
+    steps:
+      - uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+      - name: Configure + version
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          # CARGO_TARGET_DIR=C:\t dodges the MAX_PATH wall in the CMake-from-source crates (aws-lc,
+          # opus) the host pulls; CARGO_WORKSPACE_DIR mirrors the client workflows. Both via GITHUB_ENV
+          # (pwsh Out-File utf8 = no BOM, unlike Windows PowerShell 5.1 — keeps the first line clean).
+          "CARGO_TARGET_DIR=C:\t" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8
+          "CARGO_WORKSPACE_DIR=$env:GITHUB_WORKSPACE" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8
+          $v = if ($env:GITHUB_REF -like 'refs/tags/host-win-v*') {
+            $env:GITHUB_REF_NAME -replace '^host-win-v', ''
+          } else {
+            "0.2.$($env:GITHUB_RUN_NUMBER)"
+          }
+          "HOST_VERSION=$v" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8
+          "PUNKTFUNK_BUILD_VERSION=$v" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8
+          Write-Output "host version $v"
+
+      - name: Generate NVENC import lib
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          & packaging/windows/nvenc/gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1 -OutDir C:\t\nvenc
+          "PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_LIB_DIR=C:\t\nvenc" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8
+
+      - name: Build (release, nvenc)
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: cargo build --release -p punktfunk-host --features nvenc
+
+      - name: Clippy (host, Windows)
+        shell: pwsh
+        # First-ever Windows lint coverage for the host (Linux CI never lints the windows-cfg code).
+        run: cargo clippy -p punktfunk-host --features nvenc -- -D warnings
+
+      - name: Ensure Inno Setup
+        shell: pwsh
+        run: |
+          if (-not (Test-Path 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Inno Setup 6\ISCC.exe') -and -not (Get-Command iscc -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)) {
+            Write-Output "installing Inno Setup via choco"
+            choco install innosetup -y --no-progress
+          }
+
+      - name: Pack + sign installer
+        shell: pwsh
+        env:
+          MSIX_CERT_PFX_B64: ${{ secrets.MSIX_CERT_PFX_B64 }}
+          MSIX_CERT_PASSWORD: ${{ secrets.MSIX_CERT_PASSWORD }}
+        run: |
+          & packaging/windows/pack-host-installer.ps1 `
+            -Version $env:HOST_VERSION -TargetDir C:\t\release -OutDir C:\t\out
+
+      - name: Publish to Gitea generic registry
+        shell: pwsh
+        env:
+          REGISTRY_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.REGISTRY_TOKEN }}
+        run: |
+          # Check curl's exit code ourselves — a best-effort DELETE (404 on first run) must not abort.
+          $PSNativeCommandUseErrorActionPreference = $false
+          function Publish-File($f, $url) {
+            curl.exe -fsS --user "enricobuehler:$($env:REGISTRY_TOKEN)" --upload-file "$f" "$url"
+            if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "upload failed ($LASTEXITCODE): $url" }
+            Write-Output "published $url"
+          }
+          $files = @($env:HOST_SETUP_PATH, $env:HOST_CER_PATH) | Where-Object { $_ -and (Test-Path $_) }
+          if (-not $files) { throw "pack produced no artifacts to publish" }
+          $base = "https://$($env:REGISTRY)/api/packages/$($env:OWNER)/generic/$($env:PKG)"
+          foreach ($f in $files) { Publish-File $f "$base/$($env:HOST_VERSION)/$(Split-Path $f -Leaf)" }
+          # On a tagged release, also refresh the stable `latest/` alias (delete-then-reupload, like
+          # flatpak.yml/decky.yml) so there's a predictable download URL.
+          if ($env:GITHUB_REF -like 'refs/tags/host-win-v*') {
+            $aliases = @{ $env:HOST_SETUP_PATH = 'punktfunk-host-setup.exe'; $env:HOST_CER_PATH = 'punktfunk-host-windows.cer' }
+            foreach ($f in $files) {
+              $alias = $aliases[$f]; if (-not $alias) { continue }
+              curl.exe -fsS -o NUL --user "enricobuehler:$($env:REGISTRY_TOKEN)" -X DELETE "$base/latest/$alias" 2>$null
+              Publish-File $f "$base/latest/$alias"
+            }
+          }
diff --git a/docs-site/content/docs/running-as-a-service.md b/docs-site/content/docs/running-as-a-service.md
index de31238..0578cd4 100644
--- a/docs-site/content/docs/running-as-a-service.md
+++ b/docs-site/content/docs/running-as-a-service.md
@@ -77,6 +77,22 @@ to be up by the time a client connects, so the ordering is soft.)
 On Bazzite, the host launches its own gamescope/Steam session per client, so you don't need a separate
 session unit — see [Bazzite](/docs/bazzite).
 
+## Windows
+
+On Windows the host runs as a `LocalSystem` service that launches into the interactive session, so it
+captures the secure desktop (UAC / lock screen) and survives reboots with nobody logged in — the same
+model Sunshine/Apollo use.
+
+The easy path is the **signed installer**: download `punktfunk-host-setup-<ver>.exe` from the package
+registry ([`punktfunk-host-windows`](https://git.unom.io/unom/-/packages)) and run it. It drops the host
+into `C:\Program Files\punktfunk`, optionally installs the bundled **SudoVDA** virtual-display driver,
+and registers + starts the service for you (`/VERYSILENT` for unattended). Upgrades and uninstall are
+handled through Add/Remove Programs.
+
+Prefer the CLI? Run `punktfunk-host service install` from an elevated prompt — see
+[Windows service](https://git.unom.io/unom/punktfunk/src/branch/main/docs/windows-service.md). Either
+way you need an NVIDIA GPU + driver (the host is NVENC-only on Windows).
+
 ## Verifying
 
 After a reboot, from another machine on the network:
diff --git a/docs/windows-service.md b/docs/windows-service.md
index ab94eb5..cbcdbad 100644
--- a/docs/windows-service.md
+++ b/docs/windows-service.md
@@ -4,7 +4,24 @@ The `PunktfunkHost` Windows service is the end-user way to run the host on Windo
 manual bring-up chain (a scheduled task → `PsExec64 -s -i 1` → `wscript launch.vbs` → `host-run.cmd`)
 with one command, auto-start on boot, and supervision.
 
-## Install
+## Install (installer — recommended)
+
+Download the signed installer from the package registry
+(`punktfunk-host-windows`, <https://git.unom.io/unom/-/packages>) and run it (it elevates itself):
+
+```
+punktfunk-host-setup-<ver>.exe              # wizard
+punktfunk-host-setup-<ver>.exe /VERYSILENT  # unattended
+```
+
+It lays the host into `C:\Program Files\punktfunk`, optionally installs the bundled **SudoVDA**
+virtual-display driver, then runs `service install` + `service start` for you. Upgrades stop the
+service first and re-point it; uninstall (Add/Remove Programs) runs `service uninstall`. Packaging
+details: [`packaging/windows/README.md`](../packaging/windows/README.md). A self-signed CI build also
+publishes a `.cer` — import it once (`Import-Certificate -FilePath punktfunk-host-windows.cer
+-CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\TrustedPublisher`) so Windows trusts the signed setup.
+
+## Install (manual / CLI)
 
 From an **elevated** (Administrator) prompt:
 
diff --git a/packaging/windows/README.md b/packaging/windows/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69b48f8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/windows/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+# Windows host packaging — signed Inno Setup installer
+
+A one-file, signed `setup.exe` for the punktfunk streaming **host** on Windows, published to Gitea's
+generic package registry (`punktfunk-host-windows`) by `.gitea/workflows/windows-host.yml`.
+
+## Why not MSIX (like the client)
+
+The host installs a **`LocalSystem` SCM service** that `CreateProcessAsUserW`'s from Session 0 into the
+interactive session for secure-desktop (UAC / lock screen) capture, adds firewall rules, and depends
+on the **SudoVDA** kernel/IDD virtual-display driver. MSIX's sandbox can install **neither** a SYSTEM
+service of this kind **nor** a driver. So the host ships as a classic elevated installer.
+
+The installer is deliberately thin: the real install logic — SCM registration, firewall rules, the
+default `host.env`, and the SYSTEM→interactive-session supervisor — already lives in
+`punktfunk-host service install` (`crates/punktfunk-host/src/service.rs`). The installer just lays the
+exe into `C:\Program Files\punktfunk\` and calls that subcommand, elevated.
+
+## What the installer does
+
+- Installs `punktfunk-host.exe` (+ `host.env.example`, this README) to `{app}` (`C:\Program Files\punktfunk`).
+- **Optional task** *Install the SudoVDA virtual display driver* — imports the driver's self-signed
+  cert (machine `Root` + `TrustedPublisher`), creates the `root\sudomaker\sudovda` device node (only
+  if absent — `install-sudovda.ps1`), and stages the driver with `pnputil /add-driver /install`.
+  Best-effort: a driver failure warns but never aborts the install (the host degrades to a physical
+  display without it).
+- Runs `punktfunk-host service install` (idempotent; writes a default `host.env` only if absent, so
+  user config survives upgrades) and, by the *Start service now* task, `service start`.
+- **Upgrade:** stops a running `PunktfunkHost` service and waits for `STOPPED` before replacing files
+  (otherwise the locked exe / respawning supervisor would block the copy), then re-points the service.
+- **Uninstall** (Add/Remove Programs): runs `service uninstall` (stop + delete service + remove
+  firewall rules). The SudoVDA driver is intentionally left installed.
+
+Silent install: `punktfunk-host-setup-<ver>.exe /VERYSILENT` (omit the driver with `/MERGETASKS="!installdriver"`).
+
+## Prerequisites on the target box
+
+- An **NVIDIA GPU + driver** — the installer's exe is built `--features nvenc` and load-depends on the
+  driver's `nvEncodeAPI64.dll`.
+- **ViGEmBus** (optional) for virtual gamepads — still a manual prerequisite (not bundled yet):
+  <https://github.com/nefarius/ViGEmBus/releases>.
+
+## Files here
+
+| File | Role |
+|------|------|
+| `punktfunk-host.iss` | Inno Setup script (the installer definition). |
+| `pack-host-installer.ps1` | Orchestrator: cert + sign, fetch/stage SudoVDA, run ISCC, sign setup.exe, emit registry paths. |
+| `fetch-sudovda.ps1` | Download + SHA-256-verify the **pinned** SudoVDA + nefcon releases; stage the driver payload. |
+| `install-sudovda.ps1` | Runs at install time (elevated): trust cert → gated device-node create → `pnputil` install. |
+| `nvenc/nvenc.def`, `nvenc/gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1` | Synthesise `nvencodeapi.lib` for the `--features nvenc` link (llvm-dlltool / lib.exe). |
+
+> **Pinning:** the SudoVDA / nefcon release URLs + SHA-256s in `fetch-sudovda.ps1` are the source of
+> truth for what ships. Confirm the latest asset URLs and fill the SHA-256s to lock a release.
+
+## Build locally (Windows, MSVC + Windows SDK + Inno Setup)
+
+```powershell
+# 1. import lib for the nvenc link
+pwsh -File packaging\windows\nvenc\gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1 -OutDir C:\t\nvenc
+$env:PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_LIB_DIR = 'C:\t\nvenc'
+
+# 2. build the host
+cargo build --release -p punktfunk-host --features nvenc
+
+# 3. pack (self-signed unless MSIX_CERT_PFX_B64/MSIX_CERT_PASSWORD are set; -NoDriver to skip SudoVDA)
+pwsh -File packaging\windows\pack-host-installer.ps1 -Version 0.0.0-dev -TargetDir C:\t\release -OutDir C:\t\out
+```
+
+## Release
+
+Push a `host-win-vX.Y.Z` tag — the workflow builds, signs, and publishes
+`punktfunk-host-setup-X.Y.Z.exe` + the public `.cer`, and refreshes the `latest/` alias. Main pushes
+publish rolling `0.2.<run>` builds (no `latest/` update).
diff --git a/packaging/windows/fetch-sudovda.ps1 b/packaging/windows/fetch-sudovda.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d4f77ea
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/windows/fetch-sudovda.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+  Download + verify the SudoVDA virtual-display driver and the nefcon device tool, and stage the
+  files the installer bundles into -OutDir.
+
+.DESCRIPTION
+  The host uses SudoVDA (the SudoMaker Indirect Display Driver the Apollo Sunshine-fork ships) for
+  client-native-resolution virtual outputs (crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/sudovda.rs). The
+  driver isn't in this repo; CI fetches a PINNED release at pack time so the installer can carry it.
+  nefcon (nefarius/nefcon) provides `nefconc.exe`, used to create the root-enumerated device node
+  (pnputil cannot create a software/root device node from nothing).
+
+  Output (consumed by punktfunk-host.iss): -OutDir gets the driver payload (*.inf/*.cat/*.dll/*.sys
+  + the signing *.cer) and nefconc.exe, flattened. install-sudovda.ps1 is copied in by the packer.
+
+  PINNING: the URLs + SHA-256s below are the single source of truth for what ships. If a Sha256 is
+  left empty, the script downloads, prints the computed hash, and continues with a loud warning —
+  fill it in to lock the release. Override any field with the params for a one-off build.
+
+.EXAMPLE
+  pwsh -File fetch-sudovda.ps1 -OutDir C:\t\out\stage
+#>
+[CmdletBinding()]
+param(
+    [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$OutDir,
+
+    # --- PINNED SudoVDA release (https://github.com/SudoMaker/SudoVDA/releases) ---------------
+    # Baseline validated by the host backend: SudoVDA 0.2.1 (sudovda.rs header). Confirm the latest
+    # asset name/URL at impl time; fill Sha256 to lock it.
+    [string]$SudoVdaTag = 'v0.2.1',
+    [string]$SudoVdaUrl = 'https://github.com/SudoMaker/SudoVDA/releases/download/v0.2.1/SudoVDA-v0.2.1.zip',
+    [string]$SudoVdaSha256 = '',
+
+    # --- PINNED nefcon release (https://github.com/nefarius/nefcon/releases) ------------------
+    [string]$NefconUrl = 'https://github.com/nefarius/nefcon/releases/download/v1.0.2.0/nefconw.zip',
+    [string]$NefconSha256 = ''
+)
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+$ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'
+
+function Get-Verified([string]$Url, [string]$ExpectedSha256, [string]$Dest) {
+    Write-Host "==> downloading $Url"
+    Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $Url -OutFile $Dest -UseBasicParsing
+    $got = (Get-FileHash -Algorithm SHA256 -Path $Dest).Hash.ToLowerInvariant()
+    if ($ExpectedSha256) {
+        if ($got -ne $ExpectedSha256.ToLowerInvariant()) {
+            throw "SHA-256 mismatch for $Url`n  expected $ExpectedSha256`n  got      $got"
+        }
+        Write-Host "    sha256 ok ($got)"
+    }
+    else {
+        Write-Warning "no pinned SHA-256 for $Url — computed $got (PIN THIS in fetch-sudovda.ps1)"
+    }
+}
+
+# fresh staging dir
+if (Test-Path $OutDir) { Remove-Item -Recurse -Force $OutDir }
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $OutDir | Out-Null
+$work = Join-Path $OutDir '_work'
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $work | Out-Null
+
+# --- SudoVDA driver payload -------------------------------------------------------------------
+$sudoZip = Join-Path $work 'sudovda.zip'
+Get-Verified -Url $SudoVdaUrl -ExpectedSha256 $SudoVdaSha256 -Dest $sudoZip
+$sudoEx = Join-Path $work 'sudovda'
+Expand-Archive -Path $sudoZip -DestinationPath $sudoEx -Force
+
+# Flatten the driver files we need into -OutDir. SudoVDA is a user-mode IDD (a .dll registered by an
+# .inf); pull the .inf/.cat/.dll plus a .sys if present and the signing .cer.
+$driverFiles = Get-ChildItem -Path $sudoEx -Recurse -Include *.inf, *.cat, *.dll, *.sys, *.cer
+if (-not ($driverFiles | Where-Object Extension -eq '.inf')) {
+    throw "no .inf found in the SudoVDA archive ($SudoVdaUrl) — wrong asset?"
+}
+$driverFiles | ForEach-Object { Copy-Item $_.FullName (Join-Path $OutDir $_.Name) -Force }
+
+# --- nefcon (nefconc.exe) ---------------------------------------------------------------------
+$nefZip = Join-Path $work 'nefcon.zip'
+Get-Verified -Url $NefconUrl -ExpectedSha256 $NefconSha256 -Dest $nefZip
+$nefEx = Join-Path $work 'nefcon'
+Expand-Archive -Path $nefZip -DestinationPath $nefEx -Force
+# Prefer the x64 console build.
+$nefc = Get-ChildItem -Path $nefEx -Recurse -Filter 'nefconc.exe' |
+    Where-Object { $_.FullName -match '(?i)(x64|amd64)' } |
+    Select-Object -First 1
+if (-not $nefc) { $nefc = Get-ChildItem -Path $nefEx -Recurse -Filter 'nefconc.exe' | Select-Object -First 1 }
+if (-not $nefc) { throw "nefconc.exe not found in $NefconUrl" }
+Copy-Item $nefc.FullName (Join-Path $OutDir 'nefconc.exe') -Force
+
+Remove-Item -Recurse -Force $work
+Write-Host "==> staged SudoVDA + nefcon in $OutDir :"
+Get-ChildItem $OutDir -File | ForEach-Object { "    $($_.Name)" }
diff --git a/packaging/windows/install-sudovda.ps1 b/packaging/windows/install-sudovda.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d8c0a2c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/windows/install-sudovda.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+  Install the bundled SudoVDA virtual-display driver. Runs ELEVATED at setup time (invoked from the
+  installer's [Run] section). Best-effort: warns and exits 0 on any failure — the host degrades to a
+  physical display without SudoVDA, so a driver hiccup must never abort the whole install.
+
+.DESCRIPTION
+  -Dir holds the staged payload from fetch-sudovda.ps1 (the .inf/.cat/.dll + signing .cer + nefconc.exe).
+  Steps:
+    1. Trust the self-signed driver cert (machine Root + TrustedPublisher) so PnP installs it silently.
+    2. Create the root device node IF ABSENT (gated — a blind re-create spawns a phantom duplicate, and
+       the host's open_device() binds interface index 0; crates/punktfunk-host/src/vdisplay/sudovda.rs).
+    3. Stage + bind the driver (pnputil /add-driver /install — modern, in-box, idempotent).
+
+  Class/ClassGuid are read from the .inf so they always match the shipped driver.
+
+.EXAMPLE
+  powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File install-sudovda.ps1 -Dir C:\path\to\sudovda
+#>
+[CmdletBinding()]
+param(
+    [string]$Dir = $PSScriptRoot,
+    [string]$HardwareId = 'root\sudomaker\sudovda'   # verified live (docs/windows-host.md)
+)
+# Never abort the installer on a driver failure.
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Continue'
+trap { Write-Warning "SudoVDA install error: $_"; exit 0 }
+
+function Test-SudoVdaPresent {
+    $devs = Get-PnpDevice -Class Display -PresentOnly -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    foreach ($d in $devs) {
+        $hw = (Get-PnpDeviceProperty -InstanceId $d.InstanceId -KeyName 'DEVPKEY_Device_HardwareIds' `
+                -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue).Data
+        if ($hw -and ($hw | Where-Object { $_ -ieq $HardwareId })) { return $true }
+    }
+    return $false
+}
+
+$inf = Get-ChildItem -Path $Dir -Filter *.inf -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+$cer = Get-ChildItem -Path $Dir -Filter *.cer -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+$nef = Get-ChildItem -Path $Dir -Filter 'nefconc.exe' -Recurse -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -First 1
+if (-not $inf) { Write-Warning "no SudoVDA .inf in $Dir; skipping driver install."; exit 0 }
+Write-Host "SudoVDA inf: $($inf.FullName)"
+
+# 1) Trust the self-signed driver cert (a self-signed driver needs the cert in BOTH the machine
+#    Root store, so the chain validates, and TrustedPublisher, so PnP installs without a prompt).
+if ($cer) {
+    Write-Host "==> importing $($cer.Name) to Root + TrustedPublisher"
+    certutil.exe -addstore -f Root "$($cer.FullName)" | Out-Null
+    certutil.exe -addstore -f TrustedPublisher "$($cer.FullName)" | Out-Null
+}
+else { Write-Warning "no .cer in $Dir — driver may not install silently (untrusted publisher)" }
+
+# 2) Create the root device node only if it isn't already there.
+if (Test-SudoVdaPresent) {
+    Write-Host "SudoVDA device node already present — leaving it as-is."
+}
+elseif ($nef) {
+    $infText = Get-Content -Raw $inf.FullName
+    $classGuid = ([regex]::Match($infText, '(?im)^\s*ClassGuid\s*=\s*(\{[0-9A-Fa-f-]+\})')).Groups[1].Value
+    $className = ([regex]::Match($infText, '(?im)^\s*Class\s*=\s*([^\s;]+)')).Groups[1].Value
+    if (-not $classGuid) { $classGuid = '{4d36e968-e325-11ce-bfc1-08002be10318}'; $className = 'Display' } # Display class
+    Write-Host "==> nefconc --create-device-node hwid=$HardwareId class=$className $classGuid"
+    & $nef.FullName --create-device-node --hardware-id $HardwareId --class-name $className --class-guid $classGuid
+    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0 -and $LASTEXITCODE -ne 3010) {
+        Write-Warning "nefconc --create-device-node returned $LASTEXITCODE"
+    }
+}
+else { Write-Warning "nefconc.exe not found in $Dir — cannot create the SudoVDA device node." }
+
+# 3) Stage + bind the driver (idempotent; re-staging the same .inf is harmless).
+Write-Host "==> pnputil /add-driver $($inf.Name) /install"
+& pnputil.exe /add-driver "$($inf.FullName)" /install
+$rc = $LASTEXITCODE
+if ($rc -eq 3010) { Write-Host "    driver installed; a reboot is recommended." }
+elseif ($rc -ne 0) { Write-Warning "pnputil /add-driver returned $rc" }
+
+exit 0
diff --git a/packaging/windows/nvenc/gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1 b/packaging/windows/nvenc/gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..54e21a5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/windows/nvenc/gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+  Generate the NVENC import library (nvencodeapi.lib) into -OutDir, so the host links with
+  `--features nvenc` on a box that has no NVIDIA Video Codec SDK and no GPU.
+
+.DESCRIPTION
+  The host links against nvencodeapi.lib (crates/punktfunk-host/build.rs). That import lib is just
+  a link-time stub for two exports of nvEncodeAPI64.dll (the real DLL ships with the NVIDIA driver
+  and resolves at runtime). We synthesise it from nvenc.def:
+
+    1. llvm-dlltool  — preferred; LLVM is on the CI runner PATH (C:\Program Files\LLVM\bin) and this
+                       works without a Visual Studio developer shell.
+    2. MSVC lib.exe  — fallback; located via vswhere (no vcvars needed).
+
+  Point PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_LIB_DIR at -OutDir before `cargo build --features nvenc`.
+
+.EXAMPLE
+  pwsh -File gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1 -OutDir C:\t\nvenc
+#>
+[CmdletBinding()]
+param(
+    [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$OutDir,
+    [string]$DefPath = (Join-Path $PSScriptRoot 'nvenc.def')
+)
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+$ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'
+$PSNativeCommandUseErrorActionPreference = $false   # check $LASTEXITCODE ourselves (pwsh 7.4 safe)
+
+if (-not (Test-Path $DefPath)) { throw "module-definition file not found: $DefPath" }
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $OutDir | Out-Null
+$out = Join-Path $OutDir 'nvencodeapi.lib'
+
+# 1) llvm-dlltool (preferred) ------------------------------------------------------------------
+$dlltool = Get-Command llvm-dlltool -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+if ($dlltool) {
+    Write-Host "==> llvm-dlltool -> $out"
+    & $dlltool.Source -m i386:x86-64 -d $DefPath -D nvEncodeAPI64.dll -l $out
+    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "llvm-dlltool failed ($LASTEXITCODE)" }
+    Write-Host "    ok ($((Get-Item $out).Length) bytes)"
+    return
+}
+
+# 2) MSVC lib.exe via vswhere (fallback) -------------------------------------------------------
+$vswhere = Join-Path ${env:ProgramFiles(x86)} 'Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\vswhere.exe'
+if (Test-Path $vswhere) {
+    $lib = & $vswhere -latest -prerelease -products * -find 'VC\Tools\MSVC\**\bin\Hostx64\x64\lib.exe' |
+        Select-Object -First 1
+    if ($lib -and (Test-Path $lib)) {
+        Write-Host "==> lib.exe -> $out"
+        & $lib "/def:$DefPath" /machine:x64 "/out:$out"
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "lib.exe failed ($LASTEXITCODE)" }
+        Write-Host "    ok ($((Get-Item $out).Length) bytes)"
+        return
+    }
+}
+
+throw "neither llvm-dlltool (LLVM bin on PATH) nor MSVC lib.exe (via vswhere) was found to build $out"
diff --git a/packaging/windows/nvenc/nvenc.def b/packaging/windows/nvenc/nvenc.def
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f30005
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/windows/nvenc/nvenc.def
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+; Module-definition file for the NVENC import library the host links against with `--features nvenc`.
+;
+; The real entry points live in nvEncodeAPI64.dll, which ships with the NVIDIA driver. At LINK time
+; the host only needs an import library exporting these two symbols (see crates/punktfunk-host/build.rs:
+; it emits `cargo:rustc-link-lib=dylib=nvencodeapi` and searches PUNKTFUNK_NVENC_LIB_DIR). No GPU,
+; driver, or NVIDIA Video Codec SDK is required to BUILD — only to run, where the DLL resolves from
+; the installed driver. Generate nvencodeapi.lib from this file with gen-nvenc-importlib.ps1.
+;
+; The LIBRARY line names the DLL the import records point at — required for MSVC `lib.exe /def`
+; (without it the import name would default to "nvenc.dll"). llvm-dlltool takes the name from `-D`.
+LIBRARY nvEncodeAPI64.dll
+EXPORTS
+    NvEncodeAPICreateInstance
+    NvEncodeAPIGetMaxSupportedVersion
diff --git a/packaging/windows/pack-host-installer.ps1 b/packaging/windows/pack-host-installer.ps1
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..fc3c451
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/windows/pack-host-installer.ps1
@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+<#
+.SYNOPSIS
+  Build + sign the punktfunk Windows host installer (Inno Setup setup.exe).
+
+.DESCRIPTION
+  From a release `cargo build -p punktfunk-host --features nvenc` output (the exe), this:
+    1. resolves a code-signing cert (supplied stable .pfx from CI secrets OR an ephemeral self-signed
+       CN=unom — same scheme as the client's pack-msix.ps1) and exports the public .cer,
+    2. signs the inner punktfunk-host.exe,
+    3. fetches + stages the SudoVDA driver bundle (unless -NoDriver),
+    4. runs ISCC to build punktfunk-host-setup-<ver>.exe,
+    5. signs the setup.exe (timestamp best-effort),
+    6. emits HOST_SETUP_PATH / HOST_CER_PATH to GITHUB_ENV for the publish step.
+
+  Idempotent; safe to re-run. Run on the Windows runner / dev box (MSVC + Windows SDK + Inno Setup).
+
+.EXAMPLE
+  pwsh -File pack-host-installer.ps1 -Version 0.2.137 -TargetDir C:\t\release -OutDir C:\t\out
+#>
+[CmdletBinding()]
+param(
+    [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Version,                 # e.g. 0.2.137 or 1.4.0 (free-form)
+    [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$TargetDir,               # cargo --release dir (has punktfunk-host.exe)
+    [string]$OutDir = (Join-Path $TargetDir 'installer'),
+    [string]$Publisher = 'CN=unom',
+    [string]$PfxBase64 = $env:MSIX_CERT_PFX_B64,                    # reuse the client's signing secret
+    [string]$PfxPassword = $env:MSIX_CERT_PASSWORD,
+    [switch]$NoDriver,                                              # build without the bundled SudoVDA driver
+    [switch]$NoSign                                                 # skip signing (local debug)
+)
+$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
+$ProgressPreference = 'SilentlyContinue'
+# Keep the traditional "check $LASTEXITCODE myself" model: don't let pwsh 7.4 turn a non-zero native
+# exit into a terminating error (it would bypass Sign-File's timestamp-then-retry fallback below).
+$PSNativeCommandUseErrorActionPreference = $false
+
+$here = Split-Path -Parent $MyInvocation.MyCommand.Path
+$iss = Join-Path $here 'punktfunk-host.iss'
+$exe = Join-Path $TargetDir 'punktfunk-host.exe'
+if (-not (Test-Path $exe)) { throw "missing build artifact 'punktfunk-host.exe' in $TargetDir (did 'cargo build --release -p punktfunk-host --features nvenc' run?)" }
+New-Item -ItemType Directory -Force -Path $OutDir | Out-Null
+
+# --- locate ISCC (Inno Setup) + signtool (Windows SDK) ---------------------------------------
+function Find-Iscc {
+    foreach ($p in @(
+            'C:\Program Files (x86)\Inno Setup 6\ISCC.exe',
+            'C:\Program Files\Inno Setup 6\ISCC.exe')) {
+        if (Test-Path $p) { return $p }
+    }
+    $c = Get-Command iscc -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+    if ($c) { return $c.Source }
+    throw "ISCC.exe (Inno Setup 6, any 6.x) not found — install it (choco install innosetup -y)."
+}
+function Find-SdkTool([string]$name) {
+    $root = 'C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\bin'
+    $hit = Get-ChildItem -Path $root -Recurse -Filter $name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue |
+        Where-Object { $_.FullName -match '\\(10\.0\.\d+\.\d+)\\x64\\' } |
+        Sort-Object { [version]([regex]::Match($_.FullName, '\\(10\.0\.\d+\.\d+)\\x64\\').Groups[1].Value) } |
+        Select-Object -Last 1
+    if (-not $hit) { throw "$name not found under $root — install the Windows 10/11 SDK." }
+    $hit.FullName
+}
+$iscc = Find-Iscc
+Write-Host "ISCC: $iscc"
+
+# --- signing cert (supplied stable pfx OR ephemeral self-signed) -----------------------------
+$pfxPath = Join-Path $OutDir 'signing.pfx'
+$cerPath = Join-Path $OutDir "punktfunk-host-windows_${Version}.cer"
+$signtool = $null
+if (-not $NoSign) {
+    $signtool = Find-SdkTool 'signtool.exe'
+    Write-Host "signtool: $signtool"
+    if ($PfxBase64) {
+        Write-Host "signing with supplied code-signing cert (MSIX_CERT_PFX_B64)"
+        [IO.File]::WriteAllBytes($pfxPath, [Convert]::FromBase64String($PfxBase64))
+    }
+    else {
+        Write-Host "no MSIX_CERT_PFX_B64 -> generating an ephemeral self-signed cert (subject $Publisher)"
+        if (-not $PfxPassword) { $PfxPassword = 'punktfunk' }
+        $tmp = New-SelfSignedCertificate -Type Custom -Subject $Publisher `
+            -KeyUsage DigitalSignature -FriendlyName 'punktfunk host (self-signed)' `
+            -CertStoreLocation 'Cert:\CurrentUser\My' `
+            -TextExtension @('2.5.29.37={text}1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.3', '2.5.29.19={text}')
+        $sec = ConvertTo-SecureString -String $PfxPassword -Force -AsPlainText
+        Export-PfxCertificate -Cert "Cert:\CurrentUser\My\$($tmp.Thumbprint)" -FilePath $pfxPath -Password $sec | Out-Null
+        Remove-Item "Cert:\CurrentUser\My\$($tmp.Thumbprint)" -Force
+    }
+    # Always export the public .cer. For a self-signed cert it's the file users import once
+    # (LocalMachine\TrustedPublisher) so SmartScreen/UAC trusts the signed setup.exe; for a real CA
+    # cert it's a harmless extra.
+    $pwsec = if ($PfxPassword) { ConvertTo-SecureString -String $PfxPassword -Force -AsPlainText } else { $null }
+    $pubCert = if ($pwsec) { Get-PfxCertificate -FilePath $pfxPath -Password $pwsec } else { Get-PfxCertificate -FilePath $pfxPath }
+    Export-Certificate -Cert $pubCert -FilePath $cerPath | Out-Null
+    Write-Host "signing cert subject=$($pubCert.Subject) thumbprint=$($pubCert.Thumbprint)"
+}
+
+function Sign-File([string]$Path) {
+    if ($NoSign) { return }
+    $signArgs = @('sign', '/fd', 'SHA256', '/f', $pfxPath)
+    if ($PfxPassword) { $signArgs += @('/p', $PfxPassword) }
+    & $signtool ($signArgs + @('/tr', 'http://timestamp.digicert.com', '/td', 'SHA256', $Path))
+    if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
+        Write-Warning "timestamped sign failed for $Path — retrying without a timestamp"
+        & $signtool ($signArgs + @($Path))
+        if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "signtool sign failed for $Path ($LASTEXITCODE)" }
+    }
+}
+
+# --- sign the inner exe before it's packed ----------------------------------------------------
+Sign-File $exe
+
+# --- stage the SudoVDA driver bundle ----------------------------------------------------------
+$defines = @("/DMyAppVersion=$Version", "/DBinDir=$TargetDir", "/DOutputDir=$OutDir")
+if (-not $NoDriver) {
+    $stage = Join-Path $OutDir 'stage'
+    & (Join-Path $here 'fetch-sudovda.ps1') -OutDir $stage
+    Copy-Item (Join-Path $here 'install-sudovda.ps1') (Join-Path $stage 'install-sudovda.ps1') -Force
+    $defines += "/DStageDir=$stage"
+}
+else { Write-Host "-NoDriver: building installer WITHOUT the bundled SudoVDA driver" }
+
+# --- build the installer ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+Write-Host "==> ISCC $($defines -join ' ') $iss"
+& $iscc @defines $iss
+if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) { throw "ISCC failed ($LASTEXITCODE)" }
+
+$setup = Join-Path $OutDir "punktfunk-host-setup-$Version.exe"
+if (-not (Test-Path $setup)) { throw "expected installer not produced: $setup" }
+
+# --- sign the setup.exe + clean up ------------------------------------------------------------
+Sign-File $setup
+Remove-Item $pfxPath -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
+
+Write-Host ""
+Write-Host "==> installer: $setup"
+if (-not $NoSign) {
+    Write-Host "==> trust the cert once per machine (self-signed builds), then the signed setup.exe is trusted:"
+    Write-Host "    Import-Certificate -FilePath '$cerPath' -CertStoreLocation Cert:\LocalMachine\TrustedPublisher"
+}
+if ($env:GITHUB_ENV) {
+    "HOST_SETUP_PATH=$setup" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8
+    if (-not $NoSign) { "HOST_CER_PATH=$cerPath" | Out-File -FilePath $env:GITHUB_ENV -Append -Encoding utf8 }
+}
diff --git a/packaging/windows/punktfunk-host.iss b/packaging/windows/punktfunk-host.iss
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4de4341
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packaging/windows/punktfunk-host.iss
@@ -0,0 +1,104 @@
+; punktfunk host installer (Inno Setup 6).
+;
+; Produces a signed setup.exe that lays the host into Program Files, optionally installs the bundled
+; SudoVDA virtual-display driver, and DELEGATES service registration to `punktfunk-host service
+; install`. The real, idempotent install logic (SCM registration, firewall rules, default host.env,
+; the SYSTEM→interactive-session CreateProcessAsUserW supervisor for secure-desktop capture) lives in
+; crates/punktfunk-host/src/service.rs — this script does NOT duplicate it. That SYSTEM service model
+; is exactly why MSIX is unusable here and we ship a classic elevated installer instead.
+;
+; Built by pack-host-installer.ps1, e.g.:
+;   ISCC.exe /DMyAppVersion=0.2.123 /DBinDir=C:\t\release /DStageDir=C:\t\out\stage \
+;            /DOutputDir=C:\t\out packaging\windows\punktfunk-host.iss
+; Omit /DStageDir to build an installer WITHOUT the bundled driver (driver becomes a prerequisite).
+
+#ifndef MyAppVersion
+  #define MyAppVersion "0.0.0"
+#endif
+#ifndef BinDir
+  #define BinDir "."
+#endif
+#ifndef OutputDir
+  #define OutputDir "."
+#endif
+; StageDir (the staged SudoVDA payload + nefconc.exe + install-sudovda.ps1) is optional.
+#ifdef StageDir
+  #define WithDriver
+#endif
+
+[Setup]
+AppId={{7C9E6A52-1F4B-4E8D-A3C7-2B5D8F1E0A93}
+AppName=punktfunk host
+AppVersion={#MyAppVersion}
+AppPublisher=unom
+AppPublisherURL=https://git.unom.io/unom/punktfunk
+DefaultDirName={autopf}\punktfunk
+DefaultGroupName=punktfunk
+DisableProgramGroupPage=yes
+UsePreviousAppDir=yes
+PrivilegesRequired=admin
+MinVersion=10.0
+ArchitecturesAllowed=x64
+ArchitecturesInstallIn64BitMode=x64
+OutputDir={#OutputDir}
+OutputBaseFilename=punktfunk-host-setup-{#MyAppVersion}
+Compression=lzma2/max
+SolidCompression=yes
+WizardStyle=modern
+UninstallDisplayName=punktfunk host {#MyAppVersion}
+UninstallDisplayIcon={app}\punktfunk-host.exe
+
+[Tasks]
+#ifdef WithDriver
+Name: "installdriver"; Description: "Install the SudoVDA virtual display driver (required for native-resolution streaming)"
+#endif
+Name: "startservice"; Description: "Start the punktfunk host service now (also starts on every boot)"
+
+[Files]
+Source: "{#BinDir}\punktfunk-host.exe"; DestDir: "{app}"; Flags: ignoreversion
+Source: "{#SourcePath}..\..\scripts\windows\host.env.example"; DestDir: "{app}"; Flags: ignoreversion
+Source: "{#SourcePath}README.md"; DestDir: "{app}"; DestName: "README.txt"; Flags: ignoreversion
+#ifdef WithDriver
+; The driver payload + nefconc.exe + install-sudovda.ps1, extracted to {tmp} and removed after install.
+Source: "{#StageDir}\*"; DestDir: "{tmp}\sudovda"; Flags: deleteafterinstall recursesubdirs createallsubdirs; Tasks: installdriver
+#endif
+
+[Run]
+#ifdef WithDriver
+Filename: "powershell.exe"; \
+  Parameters: "-NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File ""{tmp}\sudovda\install-sudovda.ps1"" -Dir ""{tmp}\sudovda"""; \
+  StatusMsg: "Installing the SudoVDA virtual display driver..."; \
+  Flags: runhidden waituntilterminated; Tasks: installdriver
+#endif
+; Register (or re-point, on upgrade — idempotent) the SYSTEM service from its FINAL {app} location:
+; service install records current_exe() as the SCM binPath, so it must run from {app}, not {tmp}.
+Filename: "{app}\punktfunk-host.exe"; Parameters: "service install"; WorkingDir: "{app}"; \
+  StatusMsg: "Registering the punktfunk host service..."; Flags: runhidden waituntilterminated
+Filename: "{app}\punktfunk-host.exe"; Parameters: "service start"; WorkingDir: "{app}"; \
+  StatusMsg: "Starting the punktfunk host service..."; Flags: runhidden waituntilterminated; Tasks: startservice
+
+[UninstallRun]
+Filename: "{app}\punktfunk-host.exe"; Parameters: "service uninstall"; Flags: runhidden waituntilterminated; RunOnceId: "PunktfunkHostServiceUninstall"
+
+[Code]
+{ On upgrade the running service locks punktfunk-host.exe (and the supervisor would respawn it from
+  the OLD binary), so stop it and WAIT for STOPPED before files are copied. Best-effort; a fresh
+  install is a no-op (the service doesn't exist yet). }
+procedure StopHostServiceAndWait;
+var
+  ResultCode: Integer;
+begin
+  Exec('powershell.exe',
+    '-NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command "' +
+    '$ErrorActionPreference=''SilentlyContinue''; ' +
+    '$s=Get-Service -Name ''PunktfunkHost''; ' +
+    'if($s -and $s.Status -ne ''Stopped''){Stop-Service -Name ''PunktfunkHost'' -Force; ' +
+    'try{$s.WaitForStatus(''Stopped'',[TimeSpan]::FromSeconds(30))}catch{}}"',
+    '', SW_HIDE, ewWaitUntilTerminated, ResultCode);
+end;
+
+procedure CurStepChanged(CurStep: TSetupStep);
+begin
+  if CurStep = ssInstall then
+    StopHostServiceAndWait;
+end;
diff --git a/scripts/ci/setup-windows-runner.ps1 b/scripts/ci/setup-windows-runner.ps1
index f8aceec..2898428 100644
--- a/scripts/ci/setup-windows-runner.ps1
+++ b/scripts/ci/setup-windows-runner.ps1
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# Provision this Windows box as the Gitea Actions runner for the Windows client CI/packaging.
+# Provision this Windows box as the Gitea Actions runner for the Windows client + host CI/packaging.
 # The Windows analogue of scripts/ci/setup-macos-runner.sh. Idempotent — safe to re-run. Run
 # ELEVATED (admin) on the box, e.g. over SSH:
 #
@@ -84,6 +84,16 @@ if (-not (Test-Path "C:\Users\Public\.rustup\settings.toml")) {
     robocopy "$env:USERPROFILE\.rustup" "C:\Users\Public\.rustup" /E /NFL /NDL /NJH /NJS /MT:16 | Out-Null
 }
 
+# Inno Setup (ISCC.exe) for the host installer build (windows-host.yml). pack-host-installer.ps1
+# locates it at its fixed Program Files path, so it need not be on PATH — just present.
+if (-not (Test-Path "C:\Program Files (x86)\Inno Setup 6\ISCC.exe")) {
+    if (Get-Command choco -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
+        Write-Host "==> installing Inno Setup (ISCC)"
+        choco install innosetup -y --no-progress
+    }
+    else { Write-Warning "Inno Setup not found and choco unavailable - install it for windows-host.yml." }
+}
+
 # --- daemon env wrapper (the box's MSVC/WinUI/FFmpeg toolchain) ---
 $wrapper = "$RunnerHome\run-runner.ps1"
 @'