Less is a free, open-source file pager.
Publisher’s description
What is less?
less by John Taylor is open-source Windows software in the terminals & cli tools category. It is written in Python.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides Portable installers for 64-bit, ARM64, 32-bit and ARM Windows. It runs without installation (portable).
Updates and version history
The current version is 710, released on September 19, 2026. The version history goes back to September 2, 2022: 14 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 3.5 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 91,443 times. The source code on GitHub (jftuga/less-Windows) has 303 stars. Similar programs include PowerShell, QPDF and Oh My Posh.
Project description on GitHub: “GNU less compiled for Windows 10 & 11. Stand-alone version with no dependencies.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- Portable: runs without installation
- Updated in the last two months
In short: less is an open-source terminals & cli tool tool for 64-bit, ARM64, 32-bit and ARM PCs.
Is less 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:
0C1C7A70085D1306B4A834EE2B52DD66706942C0297B3DE51606417FCC727D26· 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
Recent versions
All 14 versions ›14 versions over 4 years · about 3.5 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 710Latest | September 19, 2026 | — | 64-bit ZIPARM64 ZIPARM ZIP32-bit ZIP |
| 704 | June 7, 2026 | — | 32-bit ZIP64-bit ZIPARM ZIPARM64 ZIP |
| 702 | May 23, 2026 | — | ARM ZIP64-bit ZIPARM64 ZIP32-bit ZIP |
| 692 | February 9, 2026 | — | 64-bit ZIPARM ZIPARM64 ZIP32-bit ZIP |
| 691 | January 21, 2026 | — | 32-bit ZIPARM ZIP64-bit ZIPARM64 ZIP |
| 685 | October 15, 2025 | — | ARM ZIPARM64 ZIP32-bit ZIP64-bit ZIP |
| 679 | June 21, 2025 | — | 32-bit ZIPARM64 ZIP64-bit ZIPARM ZIP |
| 678 | May 18, 2025 | — | ARM64 ZIPARM ZIP64-bit ZIP32-bit ZIP |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id jftuga.less -echoco install Less -yscoop install main/lessRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
brew install lessInformation
- Publisher
- John Taylor
- Category
- Terminals & CLI tools
- Licence
- MIT
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/jftuga/less-Windows
- Written in
- Python
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64, 32-bit, ARM
- Installer
- Portable
- Version
- 710
- Released
- September 19, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- January 31, 2023
- Versions listed
- 14
- Updates / year
- 3.5
- Chocolatey downloads
- 91,443
- GitHub stars
- 303
- GitHub forks
- 14
- Website
- greenwoodsoftware.com
- winget ID
- jftuga.less
- Chocolatey package
- Less
- Scoop package
- main/less
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is less free?
Yes. less is open-source software under the MIT licence.
Is less 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 less 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.
Does less run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of less?
The versions page lists all 14 versions with links to their official installer files, back to September 2, 2022.
Can I use less without administrator rights?
Yes, it is portable: unpack and run it.
What are alternatives to less?
PowerShell, QPDF, Oh My Posh, Spicetify and lazygit. The alternatives page compares them.
