What is the difference between the FreeCAD installer and portable version?

The installer (~380 MB) adds FreeCAD to your system, registers file associations, and adds a Start menu entry. The portable version (~430 MB) runs from any folder without installation — useful for USB drives or managed corporate machines.

Download FreeCAD for Windows

Free 3D parametric CAD software for Windows 10 and Windows 11

This freecad download for windows gives you full professional-grade 3D parametric CAD capabilities at no cost. The Windows build runs natively on 64-bit systems, installs in minutes, and includes the complete toolset — Part Design, Assembly, BIM, FEM, and Path workbenches all included.

Download FreeCAD for Windows All Platforms

FreeCAD download for windows · Version 1.1.3 · ~380 MB · Windows 8/10/11 (64-bit) · Free

FreeCAD Windows Download Options

FreeCAD for Windows is available in two forms. Both contain the complete application — the difference is in how they are installed and where settings are stored.

Windows Installer

The standard installation package for Windows. Adds FreeCAD to your Programs list, registers file associations for .FCStd files, and creates a Start menu shortcut. Handles all Visual C++ runtime dependencies automatically.

Size: ~380 MB
Windows 8, 10, 11 (64-bit)
Recommended for most users
Updates via the built-in update checker

Download Installer

Windows Portable (.7z)

A self-contained archive that runs FreeCAD without modifying the system. Extract to any folder — a USB drive, a network share, or a local directory — and run FreeCAD.exe directly. Nothing is written to the registry.

Size: ~430 MB
No installation required
Ideal for USB drives or managed PCs
Requires 7-Zip to extract

Download Portable

System Requirements — FreeCAD for Windows

Minimum

Windows 8 or later (64-bit only)
4 GB RAM
2 GB free disk space
OpenGL 2.0 compatible graphics
1280×768 display

What Is Included in the FreeCAD Windows Download

The FreeCAD download for Windows includes the complete application — no workbench requires a separate download or paid upgrade.

Part Design Workbench

Sketch-based solid modeling with full parametric history. Build complex parts through a sequence of additive and subtractive features, each driven by constrained 2D sketches.

Assembly Workbench

Built into FreeCAD 1.0, the Assembly workbench uses the Ondsel Solver to constrain multiple parts into a full assembly. Supports coincident, distance, and angular constraints.

FEM & Simulation

Finite Element Analysis for structural stress, thermal, and fluid simulations — all running locally on Windows without cloud dependency or additional licenses.

BIM Workbench

Architectural and construction modeling with IFC4 export support. Walls, slabs, roofs, and structural elements as typed objects, compatible with open BIM workflows.

Path / CNC Workbench

Generates real G-code for CNC machines directly from 3D models. Supports multiple post-processors for different machine controllers.

Python Scripting

Every object and operation in FreeCAD is accessible via Python on Windows. Automate repetitive tasks, build custom macros, or develop full workbench extensions.

How to Install FreeCAD on Windows

Download the installer — click the download button above to get the .exe installer for Windows x86_64.
Run the installer — double-click the downloaded file. Windows may show a SmartScreen prompt; click "More info" then "Run anyway." FreeCAD is open-source and digitally signed.
Accept the license — FreeCAD is released under LGPL2+. Accept and proceed through the installation wizard.
Choose install location — the default is C:\Program Files\FreeCAD 1.1\. Change if needed, then click Install.
Launch FreeCAD — find FreeCAD in the Start menu or on the Desktop shortcut. On first launch, the Start Center opens with links to documentation and example files.

Total installation time for this freecad download for windows is typically under 3 minutes on an SSD. No restart is required.

FreeCAD Windows Download — FAQ

What Windows versions does FreeCAD support?

FreeCAD 1.1.3 supports Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11 (64-bit). 32-bit Windows is not supported. The installer automatically handles Visual C++ and other runtime dependencies.

Is FreeCAD free on Windows?

Yes. FreeCAD is completely free for Windows — personal and commercial use alike. No license key, no subscription, no feature restrictions. Released under LGPL2+.

Installer vs portable — which should I choose?

Use the installer for everyday work on a personal machine — it integrates with Windows properly and simplifies updates. Use the portable version on shared or managed machines where you cannot or prefer not to install software.

Does FreeCAD work on Windows 11?

Yes, FreeCAD 1.1.3 runs on Windows 11 (64-bit) without any compatibility issues. It performs the same as on Windows 10. ARM-based Windows 11 devices are not officially supported in this release.

Why does Windows Defender flag FreeCAD?

Some Windows SmartScreen or antivirus tools may flag newly downloaded executables. FreeCAD is open-source and its builds are publicly verifiable on GitHub. Click 'More info' then 'Run anyway' in SmartScreen, or check the file hash against the published GitHub release.