Unbound is a validating, recursive, caching DNS resolver.
Publisher’s description
What is Unbound?
Unbound by NLnet Labs is open-source Windows software.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (NSIS) installers for 32-bit Windows. The main installer is 28.8 MB. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 1.26.1, released on September 16, 2026. The version history goes back to January 4, 2023: 17 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 4.6 releases a year.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Updated in the last two months
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
- 32-bit only
In short: Unbound is an open-source Windows tool for 32-bit PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Unbound safe to download?
- The file is served by nlnetlabs.nl, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
B43FC26362D413B24DF92E411086454D942B300263819AA050B1E06ADE5B0123· 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 17 versions ›17 versions over 4 years · about 4.6 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.26.1Latest | September 16, 2026 | 28.8 MB | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.26.0 | August 4, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.25.2 | July 22, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.25.1 | May 20, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.25.0 | April 29, 2026 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.24.2 | November 26, 2025 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.24.1 | October 22, 2025 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
| 1.24.0 | September 18, 2025 | — | 32-bit EXE (NSIS) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id NLnetLabs.Unbound -eunbound_setup_1.26.1.exe /SRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- NLnet Labs
- Licence
- BSD license
- Price
- Free
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 32-bit
- Installer
- EXE (NSIS)
- Version
- 1.26.1
- Released
- September 16, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- January 4, 2023
- Versions listed
- 17
- Updates / year
- 4.6
- winget ID
- NLnetLabs.Unbound
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Frequently asked questions
Is Unbound free?
Yes. Unbound is open-source software under the BSD license licence.
Is Unbound safe to download?
The download comes from nlnetlabs.nl, 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 Unbound 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 Unbound be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Unbound 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 Unbound?
The versions page lists all 17 versions with links to their official installer files, back to January 4, 2023.