LyX (styled as LyX; pronounced ˈlɪks]) is an open source, graphical user interface document processor based on the LaTeX typesetting system. Unlike most word processors, which follow the WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") paradigm, LyX has a WYSIWYM ("what you see is what you mean") approach, where what shows up on the screen roughly depicts the semantic structure of the page and is only an approximation of the document produced by TeX.
Since LyX relies on the typesetting system of LaTeX without being a full-fledged LaTeX editor itself, it has the power and flexibility of LaTeX, and can handle documents including books, notes, theses, academic papers, letters, etc. LyX's interface is structured so that while knowledge of the LaTeX markup language is not necessary for basic usage, new LaTeX directives can be added into the document to support more complex features during editing — though not at the level of full control a full-fledged LaTeX editor can provide.
What is LyX?
LyX by LyX is open-source Windows software in the text editors category. It ranks 33rd by popularity among text editors in this catalogue. It is written in C++. Besides Windows, it is available for cross-platform, macOS and Linux.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (NSIS) installers for 64-bit Windows. The main installer is 60.4 MB. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.4.4.1, released on June 19, 2025. The version history goes back to March 30, 2021: 3 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 0.7 releases a year. The last update is more than a year old.
Popularity and file types
The Chocolatey package has been downloaded 44,156 times. Wikipedia has an article about it in 25 of our languages. Similar programs include Notepad++, Atom and Neovim.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Also runs on cross-platform, macOS and Linux
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- No update for more than a year
In short: LyX is an open-source text editor tool for 64-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Screenshots
Is LyX safe to download?
- The file is served by ftp.lip6.fr; 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:
5C28CFAAEEB780F19A1D4AC7A0210D83D140223541BFA25E7E0914D61821126A· 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 3 versions ›3 versions over 4 years · about 0.7 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4.4.1Latest | June 19, 2025 | 60.4 MB | 64-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2.3.5.2 | March 30, 2021 | 64.1 MB | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 2.3.4.4 | March 30, 2021 | 62.7 MB | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id LyX.LyX -echoco install lyx -yLyX-244-Installer-1-x64.exe /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
flatpak install flathub org.lyx.LyXInformation
- Publisher
- LyX
- Category
- Text editors
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- lyx.org
- Written in
- C++
- Content rating
- All ages
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Other platforms
- cross-platform, macOS, Linux
- Version
- 2.4.4.1
- Released
- June 19, 2025
- Added to the catalogue
- March 30, 2021
- Versions listed
- 3
- Updates / year
- 0.7
- Chocolatey downloads
- 44,156
- Website
- lyx.org
- winget ID
- LyX.LyX
- Chocolatey package
- lyx
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is LyX free?
Yes. LyX is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is LyX safe to download?
The download comes from ftp.lip6.fr; 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 LyX 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 LyX be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does LyX 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 LyX?
The versions page lists all 3 versions with links to their official installer files, back to March 30, 2021.
What are alternatives to LyX?
Notepad++, Atom, Neovim, Geany and WordPress.com. The alternatives page compares them.
