ZDL4 is a launcher for Doom engine source ports. Pick a port, pick a game, add PWADs, patches or unpacked mod folders on top, and launch.
Profiles keep each setup together with its own port config, saves and demo recordings. ZDL4 can also fetch and install supported source ports for you, among them GZDoom, Zandronum, DSDA-Doom, Woof!, Nugget Doom, Chocolate Doom and Crispy Doom.
ZDL4 is only the launcher. The source port and the game data are yours to get separately.
Publisher’s description
What is ZDL4?
ZDL4 by spacebub is open-source Windows software in the system utilities category. It is written in C++.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (Inno Setup) installers for 64-bit Windows. It can be installed for the current user only, without administrator rights. It needs Windows 10 or newer. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 4.4.17, released on October 23, 2026. The version history goes back to October 13, 2026: 4 releases, all linked to the official files. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (spacebub/qzdl) has 5 stars. Similar programs include AutoHotkey, Bazel and osquery.
Project description on GitHub: “Modern continuation and rewrite of qZDL. Naming is kept to honor the legacy that led us here, but the launcher is no longer written in Qt and is no longer limited to zdoom based engines.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Documented silent install
- Installs without administrator rights
- Updated in the last two months
Cons
- No native ARM64 build
In short: ZDL4 is an open-source system utilitie tool for 64-bit PCs. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is ZDL4 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:
277CD2209A3644AF207927F483295F228DFFF3EE4E0BB78B96EA7BFF143591A0· 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 4 versions ›| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4.17Latest | October 23, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 4.4.16 | October 14, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 4.4.15 | October 14, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
| 4.4.7 | October 13, 2026 | — | 64-bit EXE (Inno Setup) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id spacebub.qzdl -eZDL4-v4.4.17-win-x64-setup.exe /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTART /SP-Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- spacebub
- Category
- System utilities
- Licence
- GPL-3.0-only
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/spacebub/qzdl
- Written in
- C++
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10 (Windows 10+)
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Version
- 4.4.17
- Released
- October 23, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- October 13, 2026
- Versions listed
- 4
- GitHub stars
- 5
- Website
- github.com
- winget ID
- spacebub.qzdl
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is ZDL4 free?
Yes. ZDL4 is open-source software under the GPL-3.0-only licence.
Is ZDL4 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 ZDL4 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 ZDL4 be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Which Windows versions does ZDL4 support?
The installer requires Windows 10 or newer and is available for 64-bit.
Does ZDL4 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 ZDL4?
The versions page lists all 4 versions with links to their official installer files, back to October 13, 2026.
Can I use ZDL4 without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to ZDL4?
AutoHotkey, Bazel, osquery, LocalSend and Simplenote. The alternatives page compares them.
