Cad software

Your CAD software download is on the way

FreeCAD is on its way from the official Windows release door. The next hour covers finishing winget or the Windows x64 installer, launching the main window, opening Part Design, making a spare pad, saving an FCStd file, skipping random mirrors, and updating through the same door you used to install.

By Cad software editorial team Current release FreeCAD 1.1.3, published July 25, 2026

Download FreeCAD 1.1.3

Pick your system and the download starts.

winget install -e --id FreeCAD.FreeCAD

Or take FreeCAD_*-Windows-x86_64-*-installer.exe from GitHub Releases or freecad.org.

FreeCAD main Windows window with 3D view, model tree, and workbench selector visible.
FreeCAD main window with 3D view, tree, and workbench selector. FreeCAD UI · FreeCAD Team / FreeCAD/FreeCAD / freecad.org · LGPL-2.1 · wiki screenshots.
FreeCAD main Windows window with 3D view, model tree, and workbench selector visible.
FreeCAD main window with 3D view, tree, and workbench selector. FreeCAD UI · FreeCAD Team / FreeCAD/FreeCAD / freecad.org · LGPL-2.1 · wiki screenshots.

Two asks while the installer lands

If the project helped you, star FreeCAD/FreeCAD on GitHub. Stars help other Windows users find the real repository next to lookalike names.

Follow new builds via the releases feed. The feed lists current tags and asset names so you can see when the Windows x64 installer moves without refreshing the Releases page by hand.

The first hour with the modeler

Work the eight steps in order so you do not redo settings later. Finish the download before you chase 7z extras. Confirm the main window opens before you blame the download. Save one FCStd before Addon Manager experiments. Updates use the same winget id or official installer you already trust. Longer install context: install on Windows, winget, and for this computer.

What success looks like

You are done with the first hour when the main window opens, a spare pad becomes an FCStd on disk, and you know whether winget or the Windows x64 installer is your update door. Deepen with guides when you need TechDraw, STL export, or Tinkercad shape notes.

If the 3D view stays black, re-check GPU drivers before you blame FreeCAD. Keep the installer so you can repair without hunting a new download.

Common first-hour mistakes

Stacking winget and a second installer into two folders wastes time when you later wonder which binary opened. Prefer one install location. Turning on every Addon Manager pack before a first save is the other common mistake. Save a plain FCStd first.

Fetching a full suite helper from a search ad is the same class of mistake as fetching the modeler from unofficial wrappers. The official Windows x64 installer is complete for desktop use. Releases list: releases. GitHub layout: GitHub.

Borrowing a locked-down lab PC can block winget and unknown executables. Stop rather than forcing a helper installer. Use a machine you control when you need a clean path.

After the hour

Next useful reads: Part Design, TechDraw, STL export, workbenches, and the guides index. Official wiki pages cover edge cases in more depth than this install page.

Internal links: home, releases, GitHub, download safe, vs Tinkercad, CAD programs, drafting software, computer-aided design, how to install winget.

  1. Finish the Windows install. Finish the Windows install. If you used winget, wait until winget install -e --id FreeCAD.FreeCAD exits cleanly. Winget pulls the current Windows x64 Nullsoft installer family from microsoft/winget-pkgs. If you took the Windows x64 installer by hand from GitHub or freecad.org, run the installer and approve elevation when Windows asks. Do not run a renamed setup from a search ad while you wait.
  2. Launch the main window once. Launch the main window once. Start FreeCAD from Start or the Program Files shortcut. Pass SmartScreen only when the file came from GitHub, freecad.org, or winget. Confirm the 3D view and workbench selector appear. First run: first run .
  3. Open Part Design. Open Part Design. Switch to Part Design, create a body, and open a sketch on a plane. If the view is black, fix GPU OpenGL before you reinstall. Guide: Part Design .
  4. Pad a spare solid. Pad a spare solid. Sketch a rectangle, close the sketch, and pad a simple block. Confirm the solid appears in the tree. Workbenches: workbenches .
  5. Save an FCStd first. Save an FCStd first. Save to a folder you control before you export meshes. Guide: export STL only after the solid is right.
  6. Optional STL export. Optional STL export. When you need a print mesh, export STL from the solid. Keep the FCStd as the editable source.
  7. Skip random mirrors. Skip random mirrors. If something fails, re-fetch from GitHub Releases, freecad.org, or winget. Softonic-style wrappers and blog accelerators are the wrong door. Safety: is it safe . Download-safe: download safe .
  8. Plan the update door. Plan the update door. If winget installed the package, upgrade with winget using the same id. If you used the installer, take the newer Windows x64 installer from the same official door. Do not mix three mirrors. Update notes: update and uninstall .

Longer install notes: Windows install.

Frequently asked questions

Where is FreeCAD after install?

Open the Start menu and launch FreeCAD from the shortcut the installer or winget created. If the shortcut is missing, confirm the setup finished cleanly, then prefer winget id FreeCAD.FreeCAD or the current FreeCAD_*-Windows-x86_64-*-installer.exe from GitHub Releases or freecad.org instead of a second mirror.

Can I model without uploading?

Yes. This cad software path keeps parametric solids and FCStd documents on the Windows PC after a normal install, so you can sketch, pad, and save without sending the part to a browser CAD account first.

What winget id should I use?

Use package id FreeCAD.FreeCAD with winget install -e --id FreeCAD.FreeCAD. When you prefer a manual download, take FreeCAD_*-Windows-x86_64-*-installer.exe from GitHub Releases or freecad.org and finish that Nullsoft installer on the same PC.