How to download and install Blender on Windows

1. Check the computer

Confirm that Windows, the processor and graphics hardware meet the current Blender requirements. Update the graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel when Blender reports graphics errors. Check whether the computer uses standard x64 Windows or Windows on ARM before selecting a package.

2. Download the official installer

Open blender.org and select the Windows installer. The installer can create a Start menu entry and associate .blend files with Blender. The Microsoft Store option is also linked by Blender. Avoid third-party “download manager” packages that add unrelated software.

3. Complete installation

1. Open the downloaded installer.
2. Review the destination folder and file-association options.
3. Allow the installation only when Windows identifies the expected Blender publisher/file.
4. Finish setup and open Blender from the Start menu.

Installer or portable ZIP?

The installer integrates Blender with Windows. The portable ZIP can be extracted into a folder and run without the standard installation process, which is useful for testing another Blender version. Do not run it permanently from inside the compressed ZIP file; extract it first.

First-launch checks

Choose language and input preferences, then save a new test file. If Blender does not open, restart Windows, verify graphics drivers and confirm the download matches your architecture. Keep an older working version until important projects open correctly in the new release.