GitHub Desktop is an open-source Electron-based GitHub app. It is written in TypeScript and uses React.
Publisher’s description
What is GitHub Desktop?
GitHub Desktop by GitHub Inc. is open-source Windows software in the version control category. It ranks 40th 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 3.6.9, released on October 24, 2026. The version history goes back to April 26, 2022: 75 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 17 releases a year. The last update is less than a month old.
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
- Frequent updates (about 17 a year)
- Large user base
In short: GitHub Desktop is an open-source version control tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is GitHub Desktop safe to download?
- The file is served by desktop.githubusercontent.com; check that it is the publisher’s official mirror
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
F0017AF2EFB38D22ECFDC519ED387449F112C5CAB486C41214C173230DE953C1· 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 75 versions ›75 versions over 4 years · about 17 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6.9Latest | October 24, 2026 | — | 64-bit MSIARM64 MSIARM64 EXE64-bit EXE |
| 3.6.8 | October 22, 2026 | 268.7 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 MSI64-bit MSIARM64 EXE |
| 3.6.7 | October 8, 2026 | 237.3 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXEARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
| 3.6.6 | September 15, 2026 | 307.5 MB | ARM64 MSI64-bit MSI64-bit EXEARM64 EXE |
| 3.6.5 | September 2, 2026 | 307.5 MB | 64-bit MSIARM64 EXE64-bit EXEARM64 MSI |
| 3.6.4 | August 11, 2026 | 307.5 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXEARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
| 3.6.3 | July 14, 2026 | 308.5 MB | 64-bit EXEARM64 EXEARM64 MSI64-bit MSI |
| 3.6.2 | July 1, 2026 | 296.9 MB | 64-bit EXE64-bit MSIARM64 MSIARM64 EXE |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id GitHub.GitHubDesktop -eGitHubDesktopSetup-x64.exe --silentRelated 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
- 3.6.9
- Released
- October 24, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- April 26, 2022
- Versions listed
- 75
- Updates / year
- 16.7
- GitHub stars
- 21,987
- GitHub forks
- 10,649
- Website
- github.com
- winget ID
- GitHub.GitHubDesktop
- MSI product code
- {DA7017AA-1461-48F5-9B6D-B4D895B154BB}
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to GitHub Desktop
See all ›-
Open source20.1M ↓ -
Open source1.1M ↓ -
Git Extensions7.2.1.7Git Extensions is a standalone UI tool for managing git repositories. It also integrates with Windows Explorer and Microsoft Visual Studio (2015/2017/2019).Open source439.1K ↓ -
Open source6.9K ↓ -
Open source10.6K ↓ -
Open source5.4K ↓ -
Open source1.1M ↓ -
Mercurial7.1.2Mercurial is a free, distributed source control management tool. It efficiently handles projects of any size and offers an easy and intuitive interface.Open source280.5K ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is GitHub Desktop free?
Yes. GitHub Desktop is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is GitHub Desktop safe to download?
The download comes from desktop.githubusercontent.com; 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 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 be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does GitHub Desktop run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of GitHub Desktop?
The versions page lists all 75 versions with links to their official installer files, back to April 26, 2022.
Can I use GitHub Desktop without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to GitHub Desktop?
Git, GitTools GitVersion, Git Extensions, GitButler and DevHub. The alternatives page compares them.
