Start your infrastructure automation with Chef Workstation. Chef Workstation gives you everything you need to get started with Chef - ad hoc remote execution, remote scanning, configuration tasks, cookbook creation tools as well as robust dependency and testing software - all in one easy-to-install package.
Chef Workstation includes:
- Chef Infra Client
- Chef InSpec
- Chef Habitat
- chef and knife command line tools
- Testing tools such as Test Kitchen and Cookstyle
- Everything else needed to author cookbooks and upload them to the Chef Infra Server
Chef Workstation replaces ChefDK, combining all the existing features with new features, such as ad-hoc task support and the new Chef Workstation desktop application.
Publisher’s description
What is Chef Workstation?
Chef Workstation by "Chef Software, Inc <maintainers@chef.io>" is proprietary Windows software in the ides & code editors category.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides MSI installers for 64-bit Windows. The main installer is 747.5 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches. An MSI package is available for deployment with Group Policy, Intune or Configuration Manager.
Updates and version history
The current version is 25.14.2.1, released on May 26, 2026. The version history goes back to July 25, 2021: 10 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 2.1 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 36,282 times. Similar programs include OpenCode, RStudio and Node.js (LTS).
Pros / Cons
Pros
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
Cons
- Proprietary licence: check the terms and price
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- Large download (747.5 MB)
In short: Chef Workstation is an ides & code editor tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Chef Workstation safe to download?
- The file is served by packages.chef.io, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
5096A806FFC1FD8A6218ABFFFB13741732217C740C7DB408AE341D03D0FF3BFC· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 10 versions ›10 versions over 5 years · about 2.1 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25.14.2.1Latest | May 26, 2026 | 747.5 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 25.13.7.1 | March 10, 2026 | 752.4 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 25.12.1102.1 | December 15, 2025 | 856.7 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 25.9.1094.1 | September 30, 2025 | 854.3 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 25.5.1084.1 | May 31, 2025 | 849.4 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 25.2.1075.1 | February 5, 2025 | 841.9 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 22.7.1006.1 | October 9, 2022 | 1 KB | 64-bit MSI |
| 22.1.745.1 | January 11, 2022 | 1 KB | 64-bit MSI |
Release cycle and support
Version 25.14.2.1 belongs to the 2025 release line, still supported, with no end date announced.
| Release line | Released | Support ends | Latest version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 3, 2025 | not announced | 25.14.2 | Supported |
| 2024 | February 7, 2024 | April 30, 2026 | 24.12.1073 | End of life |
| 2023 | February 9, 2023 | December 31, 2024 | 23.12.1055 | End of life |
| 2021 | January 6, 2022 | December 31, 2024 | 22.12.1024 | End of life |
| 2021 | January 5, 2021 | December 31, 2024 | 21.12.720 | End of life |
| 2020 | June 2, 2020 | December 31, 2024 | 20.12.205 | End of life |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id ChefSoftware.Workstation -echoco install chef-workstation -yscoop install extras/chef-workstationmsiexec /i chef-workstation-25.14.2-1-x64.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {6B0334F2-2C28-4FF9-8087-F2C609C6B65C} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- "Chef Software, Inc <maintainers@chef.io>"
- Category
- IDEs & code editors
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Price
- See the publisher’s site
- Source code
- github.com
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- MSI
- Version
- 25.14.2.1
- Released
- May 26, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- July 25, 2021
- Versions listed
- 10
- Updates / year
- 2.1
- Chocolatey downloads
- 36,282
- Website
- chef.io
- winget ID
- ChefSoftware.Workstation
- Chocolatey package
- chef-workstation
- Scoop package
- extras/chef-workstation
- MSI product code
- {6B0334F2-2C28-4FF9-8087-F2C609C6B65C}
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Chef Workstation free?
Chef Workstation is proprietary (closed-source) software (licence: Proprietary). Whether it costs money depends on the edition: check the publisher’s site for prices and free tiers.
Is Chef Workstation safe to download?
The download comes from packages.chef.io, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Chef Workstation with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Chef Workstation be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does Chef Workstation run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of Chef Workstation?
The versions page lists all 10 versions with links to their official installer files, back to July 25, 2021.
What are alternatives to Chef Workstation?
OpenCode, RStudio, Node.js (LTS), Apache NetBeans and VSCodium. The alternatives page compares them.
