diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 73410d5..8b110c2 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ $RECYCLE.BIN/
 *.msm
 *.msp
 
+# IDE specific
+.idea/
+
 # Windows shortcuts
 *.lnk
 
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index dfa47ae..fcc435e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -321,7 +321,8 @@ quit by running `px --quit`. When running in the foreground, use `CTRL-C`.
 
 Px can also be setup to automatically run on startup on Windows with the
 `--install` flag. This is done by adding an entry into the Window registry which
-can be removed with `--uninstall`.
+can be removed with `--uninstall`. You can provide `--force` to the install command
+in order to always write the key, even if an existing one is there.
 
 NOTE: Command line parameters passed with `--install` are not saved for use on
 startup. The `--save` flag or manual editing of `px.ini` is required to provide
@@ -344,8 +345,8 @@ Actions:
     Values specified on CLI override any values in existing config file
     Values not specified on CLI or config file are set to defaults
 
-  --install
-  Add Px to the Windows registry to run on startup
+  --install [--force]
+  Add Px to the Windows registry to run on startup. Use '--force' to overwrite a possible existing key.
 
   --uninstall
   Remove Px from the Windows registry
diff --git a/px/config.py b/px/config.py
index 2b93331..aa5fd5a 100644
--- a/px/config.py
+++ b/px/config.py
@@ -823,7 +823,7 @@ def parse_config(self):
 
         if sys.platform == "win32":
             if "--install" in sys.argv:
-                windows.install(get_script_cmd())
+                windows.install(get_script_cmd(), '--force' in sys.argv)
             elif "--uninstall" in sys.argv:
                 windows.uninstall()
 
diff --git a/px/help.py b/px/help.py
index a646f02..3e6069b 100644
--- a/px/help.py
+++ b/px/help.py
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@
     Values specified on CLI override any values in existing config file
     Values not specified on CLI or config file are set to defaults
 
-  --install
-  Add Px to the Windows registry to run on startup
+  --install [--force]
+  Add Px to the Windows registry to run on startup. Use '--force' to overwrite a possible existing key.
 
   --uninstall
   Remove Px from the Windows registry
diff --git a/px/windows.py b/px/windows.py
index 0883d51..22f1085 100644
--- a/px/windows.py
+++ b/px/windows.py
@@ -17,22 +17,21 @@
 ###
 # Install Px to startup
 
-def check_installed():
+def is_installed():
     "Check if Px is already installed in the Windows registry"
-    ret = True
     runkey = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
         r"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", 0, winreg.KEY_READ)
     try:
         winreg.QueryValueEx(runkey, "Px")
     except FileNotFoundError:
-        ret = False
-    winreg.CloseKey(runkey)
-
-    return ret
+        return False
+    finally:
+        winreg.CloseKey(runkey)
+        return True
 
-def install(script_cmd):
+def install(script_cmd, force_overwrite):
     "Install Px to Windows registry if not already"
-    if check_installed() is False:
+    if not is_installed() or force_overwrite:
         runkey = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
             r"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", 0,
             winreg.KEY_WRITE)
@@ -47,7 +46,7 @@ def install(script_cmd):
 
 def uninstall():
     "Uninstall Px from Windows registry if installed"
-    if check_installed() is True:
+    if is_installed() is True:
         runkey = winreg.OpenKey(winreg.HKEY_CURRENT_USER,
             r"Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run", 0,
             winreg.KEY_WRITE)