NSIS (Nullsoft Scriptable Install System) is a professional open source system to create Windows installers. It is designed to be as small and flexible as possible and is therefore very suitable for internet distribution.
Being a user's first experience with your product, a stable and reliable installer is an important component of successful software. With NSIS you can create such installers that are capable of doing everything that is needed to setup your software.
NSIS is script-based and allows you to create the logic to handle even the most complex installation tasks. Many plug-ins and scripts are already available: you can create web installers, communicate with Windows and other software components, install or update shared components and more.
Publisher’s description
What is Nullsoft Install System?
Nullsoft Install System by Nullsoft and Contributors is open-source Windows software in the package managers & updaters category.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (NSIS) installers for 32-bit Windows. The main installer is 1.6 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. It needs 4.0.1381.0 or newer. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 3.13, released on September 27, 2026. The version history goes back to March 30, 2021: 8 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 1.5 releases a year. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
On Windows it registers 2 file types, including .nsi and .nsh. Similar programs include Chocolatey, NuGet and uv.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Updated in the last two months
- Small download (1.6 MB)
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- 32-bit only
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: Nullsoft Install System is an open-source package managers & updater tool for 32-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Nullsoft Install System safe to download?
- The file is served by sourceforge.net; 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:
DB9A1038BBC0E53FEF24F423FD609979BD578E942F1BE1198DB186D1C42652A3· 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 8 versions ›8 versions over 5 years · about 1.5 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.13Latest | September 27, 2026 | 1.6 MB | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 3.12 | April 19, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 3.11 | March 8, 2025 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 3.10 | April 2, 2024 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 3.09 | July 3, 2023 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 3.08 | September 26, 2021 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 3.07 | August 6, 2021 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 3.06.1 | March 30, 2021 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id NSIS.NSIS -escoop install extras/nsisdownload /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Nullsoft and Contributors
- Category
- Package managers & updaters
- Licence
- zlib/libpng, bzip2, CPLv1
- Price
- Free
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10 (4.0.1381.0+)
- Architecture
- 32-bit
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Version
- 3.13
- Released
- September 27, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- March 30, 2021
- Versions listed
- 8
- Updates / year
- 1.5
- Website
- nsis.sourceforge.io
- winget ID
- NSIS.NSIS
- Scoop package
- extras/nsis
File types it opens (2)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to Nullsoft Install System
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Frequently asked questions
Is Nullsoft Install System free?
Yes. Nullsoft Install System is open-source software under the zlib/libpng, bzip2, CPLv1 licence.
Is Nullsoft Install System safe to download?
The download comes from sourceforge.net; 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 Nullsoft Install System 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 Nullsoft Install System be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Which Windows versions does Nullsoft Install System support?
The installer requires 4.0.1381.0 or newer and is available for 32-bit.
Does Nullsoft Install System run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 32-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of Nullsoft Install System?
The versions page lists all 8 versions with links to their official installer files, back to March 30, 2021.
What are alternatives to Nullsoft Install System?
Chocolatey, NuGet, uv, Conan Package Manager and UniGetUI (formerly WingetUI) - Pre-Release. The alternatives page compares them.
