Repair shop software for Windows: run the whole counter on the PC you already have

Repair shop software for Windows should let a phone, computer or console repair shop use the Windows PC already sitting behind the counter — no new server, no monthly login, no cloud account. Most shops already own a Windows desktop. The question is how to turn it into a reliable repair system that every device in the shop can reach.

This guide explains what to look for, what your Windows computer needs, how setup works with the free VirtualBox software, and how to keep the system running day after day. RepairAmigo is used as the example: it is free, Made in Texas, and built inside a busy repair shop that has processed more than 50,000 repair tickets.

What repair shop software for Windows should mean

"Works on Windows" can mean very different things. For a repair counter it should mean:

1. Runs on a normal Windows desktop or laptop in the shop, not only in a browser tab pointed at someone else's server.
2. One install, many devices. The front counter, the bench and the manager's phone all open the same system in a browser.
3. Tickets, parts inventory and cash POS in one place — intake to pickup on the same ticket.
4. Owner, Manager and Technician roles so staff only touch what they should.
5. Your data on your computer, with a simple way to back it up and move it.
6. No ticket or user limits that push you into a bigger plan after a busy month.

If a tool only works while the internet is up and your records live on a vendor's server, it is cloud software that happens to open on Windows. See self-hosted repair shop software for that difference.

Why a VM on Windows instead of a regular Windows program

RepairAmigo does not install like a normal Windows program. It runs as a VirtualBox virtual machine (VM) on your Windows PC. Inside that VM is a locked-down Linux system that serves RepairAmigo to your shop network.

That design has practical advantages for a repair shop:

• It stays on your shop network. No ports to open on your router.
• It is immune to common Windows viruses and ransomware, because RepairAmigo runs inside its own locked-down Linux system, not as a Windows program.
• Back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it.
• Remote support stays off until you click Allow.

More detail is in why a local Linux VM is safer.

What your Windows computer needs

Use a PC that can stay on during business hours and has some room to spare:

• Memory: RepairAmigo requires 8 GB (8192 MB) of RAM for the VM, so the Windows PC needs 8 GB free on top of what Windows and your other programs use. Do not lower the VM's memory.
• Processor: the VM is set to 8 CPUs, so a modern multi-core processor works best.
• Storage: keep the VM on an SSD rather than a spinning hard drive.
• Virtualization: VT-x or AMD-V turned on in the BIOS. If VirtualBox says it is disabled, turn it on there.
• Network: a wired connection to the shop network is best. Every device that uses RepairAmigo must be on the same shop network, not a guest Wi-Fi.

The same VM also runs on Linux and Intel Macs. Apple Silicon Macs are not supported.

Setting it up on a Windows PC

Setup takes a few short steps, all covered in the setup guide:

1. Download RepairAmigo.ova from the download page.
2. Install the free VirtualBox software for Windows.
3. In VirtualBox, choose File → Import Appliance…, pick RepairAmigo.ova, then Next and Finish.
4. Select RepairAmigo and click Start. If VirtualBox asks about the bridged network adapter, click OK.
5. After a minute or two, the VM screen shows its IP address. Open that address in a browser to run Setup and create the Owner account.

The VM ships with demo data so you can explore first. When you are ready to go live, the Owner can wipe it — see remove demo data (Owner data reset).

Using it from every device in the shop

Once the VM is running, nobody needs to sit at the Windows PC to use RepairAmigo. Open the VM's address in a browser on any computer, tablet or phone on the shop network, sign in, and bookmark it (or "Add to Home Screen" on a phone).

• The front counter does intake by the customer's phone number and prints a receipt.
• Technicians update the repair performed, a status and comments from the bench.
• Parts deduct from inventory when the repair is saved.
• The cash POS closes the ticket at pickup — see point of sale for phone repair shops.

Keeping the Windows PC running day to day

A few Windows habits keep the system fast and reachable:

• Headless Start: start the VM with Headless Start so it keeps running in the background after you close the VirtualBox Manager.
• Stay awake: the Windows PC must stay on and awake during business hours. Set sleep to "Never" while plugged in.
• Hyper-V: if you see a green turtle icon in the VM window, Hyper-V is slowing VirtualBox down. Turning off Hyper-V and Virtual Machine Platform in "Turn Windows features on or off" usually fixes it.
• Same address every day: set a DHCP reservation on your router so the VM keeps the same IP and bookmarks keep working.
• No VPN on the counter devices while using RepairAmigo on the shop network.

Backups and moving to another computer

Back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it. That also makes replacing an old Windows PC simple.

More in backing up repair shop data.

Quick checklist

• The Windows PC has 8 GB of RAM free for the VM, an SSD and virtualization turned on.
• VirtualBox is installed and RepairAmigo.ova is imported.
• The network adapter is bridged, and devices are on the shop network, not guest Wi-Fi.
• The VM starts with Headless Start and the PC never sleeps during business hours.
• Hyper-V is off if the green turtle appears.
• The VM has a DHCP reservation so bookmarks keep working.
• Every counter device has RepairAmigo bookmarked.
• Demo data is wiped before the first real ticket.
• You can back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it.

How RepairAmigo helps

RepairAmigo is free repair shop software for Windows PCs, built for cell phone, computer and console repair shops. It was built inside a busy repair shop that has processed more than 50,000 repair tickets. Made in Texas.

• Runs on your Windows PC. RepairAmigo is a self-hosted VirtualBox VM on a Windows, Linux or Intel Mac computer. Your team uses it from any browser on the shop network, on desktop or mobile. Data stays on your own computer and network.
• Tickets, inventory and POS. Smart intake by phone number. Technicians record the repair performed, a status and comments. Parts deduct when a repair is saved. Built-in cash POS at pickup. Warranty link per repair.
• Roles. Owner, Manager and Technician logins. No ticket or user limits.
• Your data. Back up the entire VM and run it on another computer as easily as you installed it.

A full Spanish edition is available, along with Portuguese and Hindi editions. Questions? Email support@repairamigo.com. See also cell phone repair shop software, repair shop management system or free repair shop software.

Download RepairAmigo free or read the setup guide.

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