Element (formerly Riot and Vector) is a free and open-source software instant messaging client implementing the Matrix protocol.
Element was originally known as Vector when it was released from beta in 2016. The app was renamed to Riot in September of the same year.
In 2016 the first implementation of the Matrix end-to-end encryption was implemented and rolled out as a beta to users. In May 2020, the developers announced enabling end-to-end encryption by default in Riot for new non-public conversations.
In April 2019, a new application was released on the Google Play Store in response to cryptographic keys used to sign the Riot Android app being compromised.
In July 2020, Riot was renamed to Element.
In January 2021, Element was briefly suspended from Google Play Store in response to a report of user-submitted content questioning the integrity of the 2020 United States presidential election on Element's default server, matrix.org. The app was brought back to the Play Store after said content was removed from the server.
From the Wikipedia article “Element (software)”, CC BY-SA 4.0
What is Element?
Element by Element (developed by Element Creations Ltd) is open-source Windows software in the chat & messaging category. It is written in Java, JavaScript, and Objective-C. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux, Android, macOS and iOS. Its interface is available in 7 languages.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE installers for 64-bit and ARM64 Windows. The main installer is 219.6 MB. It can be installed for the current user only, without administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 1.12.32, released on October 16, 2026. The version history goes back to April 27, 2021: 166 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 30 releases a year. The last update is less than a month old. The source repository has been archived, so further updates are unlikely.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (element-hq/element-desktop) has 1,479 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 15 of our languages. Similar programs include Signal, Slack and Session.
Project description on GitHub: “A glossy Matrix collaboration client for desktop.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- Documented silent install
- Installs without administrator rights
- Frequent updates (about 30 a year)
- Also runs on Linux, Android and macOS
Cons
- Source repository archived
In short: Element is an open-source chat & messaging tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Key features
- Communicate with your team and out of network colleagues more efficiently: use dedicated rooms which persist information from their creation and forever.
- Forget group emails: join or create rooms per topic, per team, per event… Decide the level of transparency you want to provide across the organisation or project.
- Cut through the noise by creating notifications that are customised by you and for you.
- Grab the attention of your colleague by calling out their name and don’t miss a thing with keyword alerts.
- Deploy bots for fun or practical use with our integrations store.
Screenshots
Is Element safe to download?
- The file is served by packages.element.io, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
633A783365293916580FE8A589F3B0C8CAD9E2311F45F65E2F527AA6DDA72D5A· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 166 versions ›166 versions over 5 years · about 30 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.12.32Latest | October 16, 2026 | 219.6 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 1.12.31 | October 13, 2026 | 219.6 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 1.12.30 | September 29, 2026 | 208.7 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 1.12.29 | September 22, 2026 | 205.9 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 1.12.28 | September 16, 2026 | 205.9 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 1.12.27 | September 1, 2026 | 194.5 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 1.12.26 | August 18, 2026 | 192.6 MB | ARM64 EXE64-bit EXE |
| 1.12.25 | August 5, 2026 | 191.9 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Element.Element -escoop install extras/element"Element Setup 1.12.32.exe" --silentRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
brew install --cask elementflatpak install flathub im.riot.RiotInformation
- Publisher
- Element
- Developer
- Element Creations Ltd
- Category
- Chat & messaging
- Licence
- AGPL-3.0-only or GPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/element-hq/element-desktop
- Written in
- Java, JavaScript, and Objective-C
- Interface languages
- Turkish, French, Mandarin, Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese +1 more
- Content rating
- 15+
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
- Installer
- EXE
- Other platforms
- Linux, Android, macOS, iOS
- Version
- 1.12.32
- Released
- October 16, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- April 27, 2021
- Versions listed
- 166
- Updates / year
- 30.3
- GitHub stars
- 1,479
- GitHub forks
- 373
- Website
- element.io
- winget ID
- Element.Element
- Scoop package
- extras/element
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to Element
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Frequently asked questions
Is Element free?
Yes. Element is open-source software under the AGPL-3.0-only or GPL-3.0-only licence.
Is Element safe to download?
The download comes from packages.element.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 Element 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 Element be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Element run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Element?
The versions page lists all 166 versions with links to their official installer files, back to April 27, 2021.
Can I use Element without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to Element?
Signal, Slack, Session, Discord and Telegram Desktop. The alternatives page compares them.
