ownCloud is a free and open-source software project for content collaboration, file-sharing, and file-syncing. It's usable in distributed and federated enterprise scenarios.
ownCloud supports extensions including Collabora, OnlyOffice, Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Online Office, as well as synchronization of calendars and contacts. Most of ownCloud is published under AGPL and GPL licenses, except for some enterprise extensions.
As of late 2023, organizations using ownCloud include CERN, the European Science Cloud, the Bavarian school cloud, and the SCIEBO platform.
The ownCloud project was launched in 2010 by Frank Karlitschek, who shortly afterward founded the company of the same name together with Markus Rex and Holger Dyroff. In 2016, ownCloud CTO Karlitschek left the company and founded the fork Nextcloud.
At the end of 2023, ownCloud merged with Kiteworks; however, ownCloud claims its code will remain open-source.
What is ownCloud?
ownCloud by ownCloud GmbH is open-source Windows software in the customisation category. It is written in PHP, JavaScript, and Go. Besides Windows, it is available for Linux, iOS, FreeBSD and Android.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides MSI installers for 64-bit Windows. The main installer is 40.1 MB. Installation asks for 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 6.0.3.18040, released on January 12, 2026. The version history goes back to February 9, 2021: 15 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 3 releases a year.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (owncloud/client) has 1,490 stars. Wikipedia has an article about it in 20 of our languages. Similar programs include PowerToys, Scribus and Mattermost.
Project description on GitHub: “🖥️ Desktop Syncing Client for ownCloud”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- MSI package for managed deployment
- Documented silent install
- Also runs on Linux, iOS and FreeBSD
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: ownCloud is an open-source customisation tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is ownCloud safe to download?
- The file is served by download.owncloud.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
474D390F144CA91AAB550A9D3E83291690401310432BBDE28F1D1C4F1480FF45· 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
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the owncloud/client repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Actively maintained10
- No dangerous workflows10
- Code review10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Licence declared10
- Pinned dependencies8
- Signed releases8
- Branch protection4
- Restricted token permissions0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Fuzzing0
- Security policy0
- Static code analysis0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 15 versions ›15 versions over 5 years · about 3 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0.3.18040Latest | January 12, 2026 | 40.1 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 6.0.2.17506 | November 4, 2025 | 34.8 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 6.0.0.17092 | September 16, 2025 | 34.8 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 5.3.1.14018 | June 11, 2024 | 22.0 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 5.3.0.13987 | June 6, 2024 | 21.5 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 5.2.1.13040 | January 4, 2024 | 21.5 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 5.2.0.12726 | November 27, 2023 | 21.5 MB | 64-bit MSI |
| 5.1.2.12600 | November 10, 2023 | 21.5 MB | 64-bit MSI |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id ownCloud.ownCloudDesktop -escoop install extras/owncloudmsiexec /i ownCloud-6.0.3.18040.x64.msi /qn /norestartmsiexec /x {1D382CF5-AF11-4E42-A85B-7504BD2D3240} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Also for other systems
brew install --cask owncloudInformation
- Publisher
- ownCloud GmbH
- Category
- Customisation
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/owncloud/client
- Written in
- PHP, JavaScript, and Go
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- MSI
- Other platforms
- Linux, iOS, FreeBSD, Android
- Version
- 6.0.3.18040
- Released
- January 12, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- March 31, 2021
- Versions listed
- 15
- Updates / year
- 3
- GitHub stars
- 1,490
- GitHub forks
- 693
- Website
- owncloud.com
- winget ID
- ownCloud.ownCloudDesktop
- Scoop package
- extras/owncloud
- MSI product code
- {1D382CF5-AF11-4E42-A85B-7504BD2D3240}
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is ownCloud free?
Yes. ownCloud is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is ownCloud safe to download?
The download comes from download.owncloud.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 ownCloud 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 ownCloud be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer, including msiexec for the MSI package.
Does ownCloud 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 ownCloud?
The versions page lists all 15 versions with links to their official installer files, back to February 9, 2021.
What are alternatives to ownCloud?
PowerToys, Scribus, Mattermost, Rainmeter and Lively Wallpaper. The alternatives page compares them.
