# Getting started

FastStats Designer is a Windows application. You choose functions from the menus or the button bar.

Designer is available in 64-bit and 32-bit versions. The FastStats system you build is identical with either version.

You don't need a FastStats licence file (`.lic.xml`) or licence key to build a FastStats system in Designer, but you do need one to connect to and analyse the system.

To start a Designer session, create a new design or open an existing one.

## New FastStats design

To create a blank design, select **New**, or select **File** \> **New**.

## Existing FastStats design

Designer saves designs as XML documents.

- To open a design, select **File** \> **Open** or the open button, then find the Designer XML document
- To open one of your last 10 designs, select **File** \> **Recent Files**

## In this section

- [Finding your way around](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/getting-started/finding-your-way-around/index.md>): The main windows in Designer, including System Configuration, Data Sources, and Table Relationships
- [Typical FastStats Designer session](<https://help.apteco.com/en/designer/getting-started/typical-session/index.md>): The usual sequence of windows in a session, from system configuration through to reviewing the build