Focus on what matters instead of fighting with Git.
Whether you're new to Git or a seasoned user, GitHub Desktop simplifies your development workflow.
Publisher’s description
What is GitHub Desktop Beta?
GitHub Desktop Beta by GitHub Inc. is open-source Windows software in the version control category. It ranks 48th by popularity among version control in this catalogue. It is written in TypeScript.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE and MSI installers for 64-bit and ARM64 Windows. It can be installed for the current user only, without 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 3.5.5-beta2, released on January 20, 2026. The version history goes back to July 31, 2022: 9 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 2.6 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (desktop/desktop) has 21,987 stars. Similar programs include Git, GitTools GitVersion and Git Extensions.
Project description on GitHub: “Focus on what matters instead of fighting with Git.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Installs without administrator rights
- Large user base
In short: GitHub Desktop Beta is an open-source version control tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is GitHub Desktop Beta safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
13B6AEF56979DDE28AC4FD88FC8F51E8DEBE5A3B2A8F4BA3F16BB6AD4557156C· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- 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
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the desktop/desktop repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Code review10
- Actively maintained10
- Security policy10
- No dangerous workflows10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- Static code analysis10
- Branch protection5
- Pinned dependencies4
- Restricted token permissions0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Signed releases0
- Fuzzing0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 9 versions ›9 versions over 3 years · about 2.6 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5.5-beta2Latest | January 20, 2026 | — | ARM64 MSIARM64 EXE64-bit EXE64-bit MSI |
| 3.5.4-beta1 | October 27, 2025 | — | ARM64 EXEARM64 MSI64-bit MSI64-bit EXE |
| 3.4.17-beta3 | February 13, 2025 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 EXE64-bit EXE |
| 3.4.2-beta3 | June 12, 2024 | — | 64-bit MSI64-bit EXE |
| 3.1.3-beta3 | November 18, 2022 | — | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 3.1.3-beta2 | October 27, 2022 | — | ARM64 EXE64-bit EXE |
| 3.1.2-beta1 | October 8, 2022 | — | ARM64 EXE64-bit EXE |
| 3.0.9-beta1 | September 27, 2022 | — | ARM64 EXE64-bit EXE |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id GitHub.GitHubDesktop.Beta -eGitHubDesktopSetup-x64.exe /sRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- GitHub Inc.
- Category
- Version control
- Licence
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/desktop/desktop
- Written in
- TypeScript
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
- Installer
- EXE, MSI
- Version
- 3.5.5-beta2
- Released
- January 20, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- July 31, 2022
- Versions listed
- 9
- Updates / year
- 2.6
- GitHub stars
- 21,987
- GitHub forks
- 10,649
- Website
- desktop.github.com
- winget ID
- GitHub.GitHubDesktop.Beta
- MSI product code
- {42BE184E-9DEA-4FF1-8520-CAF033E9F2A1}
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to GitHub Desktop Beta
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Frequently asked questions
Is GitHub Desktop Beta free?
Yes. GitHub Desktop Beta is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is GitHub Desktop Beta safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, 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 GitHub Desktop Beta 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 GitHub Desktop Beta be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does GitHub Desktop Beta run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of GitHub Desktop Beta?
The versions page lists all 9 versions with links to their official installer files, back to July 31, 2022.
Can I use GitHub Desktop Beta without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to GitHub Desktop Beta?
Git, GitTools GitVersion, Git Extensions, GitButler and DevHub. The alternatives page compares them.
