Claude for Windows is Anthropic's official desktop app for chatting with the Claude models, working with projects and files. Version 2.16120.0, a free download.
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About Claude
Claude 2.16120.0 for Windows is the official desktop app from Anthropic for working with the Claude AI assistant. The app is a free download, and it connects to Claude models that run in Anthropic's cloud — you need a Claude account to sign in. The button on this page uses Anthropic's own link to the latest Windows installer; we do not keep a copy of the file.
What the desktop app is for
Everything you can do with Claude in a browser is available in a dedicated window that stays in the taskbar: conversations, projects that collect related chats and reference files, and uploads of documents and images for Claude to read. A separate app is simply more convenient if you use Claude every day, because it opens without hunting through browser tabs and keeps your history in sync with the web version and the phone apps.
Cloud, not local
This is the most important point to understand before downloading. Claude does not run on your computer. The app sends your messages to Anthropic's servers, where the models process them, and shows the answers. It therefore needs an internet connection, and it is not a replacement for tools such as Ollama or LM Studio that run open-weight models on your own hardware. In exchange, the desktop app has very modest requirements, because none of the heavy lifting happens on the PC.
Account and plans
A Claude account is required. Anthropic offers a Free plan and paid Pro, Max and Team plans that allow more usage; current prices are on the official pricing page and in our overview of AI apps, because they change over time. The app itself costs nothing and is the same for every plan.
System requirements
- Windows 10 or later.
- x64 or ARM64 processor.
- An internet connection and a Claude account.
The installer, Claude Setup.exe, is only about 7 MB. It is an online installer that downloads the rest of the application while it runs. Anthropic also publishes a macOS version on its download page.
Installation
- Download Claude Setup.exe with the button on this page.
- Run it and let it fetch the application files.
- Sign in with your Claude account, or create one.
- Your existing conversations and projects appear in the sidebar.
Version 2.16120.0 dates from 29 September 2026. The app updates itself, so you do not have to download new versions by hand.
Good to know
- Plus: a native window with the same history as the web and phone apps.
- Plus: tiny installer, low hardware demands.
- Plus: the app is free; the Free plan lets you try Claude without paying.
- Minus: nothing works offline, since the models run in the cloud.
- Minus: closed source, and heavier use requires a paid plan.