Get winget
On Windows 11, winget usually ships with App Installer. On Windows 10, install or update App Installer from the Microsoft Store, then reopen PowerShell or Windows Terminal.
Check with winget --version. Then:
winget install -e --id FreeCAD.FreeCADIf winget is blocked
Locked-down PCs may disable package managers. Take the Windows x64 installer from freecad.org or GitHub Releases instead. Related: winget guide, Windows install, download safe.
What App Installer provides
On Windows 10 version 1809 or later, and on Windows 11, App Installer from Microsoft provides the winget command. If Terminal says winget is not recognized, install App Installer from the Microsoft Store link Microsoft publishes for that product, close every Terminal window, reopen Terminal, and check winget --version.
This guide mentions App Installer here and once on the home install section. Other pages should not paste the same recovery paragraph into every answer. Once winget works, install FreeCAD with winget install -e --id FreeCAD.FreeCAD.
Why winget helps this FreeCAD path
microsoft/winget-pkgs lists FreeCAD.FreeCAD with InstallerType nullsoft and an InstallerUrl aimed at the current Windows x64 installer on GitHub Releases. That catalog entry is the default when winget is allowed. Catalog lag can trail a fresh GitHub tag, so if winget offers an older build the day a release lands, wait or take the installer from GitHub Releases and keep one door going forward.
Workplace images that already pin FreeCAD through Intune or another internal catalog should follow that channel. Still prefer upstream licence text and release notes on FreeCAD/FreeCAD when you need to confirm what shipped.
After winget exits cleanly
Launch FreeCAD from Start, confirm the main window, then pad a spare solid and save an FCStd. If SmartScreen warns, pass it only when the install came from winget or an official installer download. Safety: is it safe. Longer FreeCAD winget notes: winget install. Windows install: install on Windows.
Related: exe or winget, for this computer, releases, update and uninstall. Prefer winget upgrade with the same id when winget installed the package.
Verify winget, then install FreeCAD
After App Installer is present, run winget --version in a fresh Terminal window. Then run winget install -e --id FreeCAD.FreeCAD and wait for a clean exit. Winget pulls the current Windows x64 Nullsoft installer family from microsoft/winget-pkgs when the catalog is up to date.
If winget offers an unexpectedly old FreeCAD build the day a GitHub tag lands, check Releases on FreeCAD/FreeCAD and freecad.org downloads. Catalog lag happens. You can wait for the catalog or install the official Windows x64 exe once, then keep using that same door for upgrades.
Elevation prompts are normal for all-users installs. When SmartScreen appears, pass it only for winget or official installer downloads. Afterwards launch FreeCAD, confirm the main window, and save a first FCStd from Part Design.
Uninstall later with winget when winget installed the package, or use Windows Apps and features for a Nullsoft install. Update notes live on the update-and-uninstall guide. Windows install and exe-or-winget pages cover the manual path in more depth.
Release notes and first saves
Keep release notes nearby when you change versions. Prefer the current maintenance line when opening models from unknown sources, then save your own FCStd documents before exporting meshes. Official wiki pages remain the deep reference for workbench details beyond this install map.
Shared files across a small team
When coworkers share models, ask which FreeCAD release created the file and whether the Windows build came from GitHub Releases, freecad.org, or winget. Matching upgrade doors across a small team prevents half the room from running a stale mirror copy. After any shared file lands, open it on a known-good install, save your own FCStd copy, and only then export meshes for printers or CAM tools.