# DuckDuckGo Browser

Application: DuckDuckGo

Also called duckduckgo windows, ddg browser

DuckDuckGo, Browsers

The Windows desktop browser from the DuckDuckGo search company. The process is DuckDuckGo.exe.

## What you need to know

DuckDuckGo Browser is a Windows browser. Search-only DuckDuckGo is a different habit.

The search company ships a desktop browser for Windows 10 May 2020 or later. DuckDuckGo.exe is that app. A duckduckgo.com tab inside Chrome is still Chrome.

- **What is it?**: Web browser

  **Still current?**: Yes, see Current status

  **Official download?**: Use the vendor link in this article

Feex says

If DuckDuckGo.exe is running, I treat it as the desktop browser, not a search tab in Edge. Changing Edge search to DuckDuckGo is a different setup.

## What is DuckDuckGo Browser?

DuckDuckGo Browser is a privacy-focused Windows browser with DuckDuckGo search and tracker blocking built in. The process is DuckDuckGo.exe.

## If you have never used it

If you only knew DuckDuckGo as a search box, this is a full Windows browser from the same company. Download it from duckduckgo.com/windows or the Microsoft Store. It is not a Chrome skin you sideload, and it is not just setting DuckDuckGo as the search engine in Edge.

## What is it used for?

**Private search in the same window**

The address bar uses DuckDuckGo search. That is the product, not an Edge search shortcut.

**Tracker blocking**

Built-in blocking DuckDuckGo documents for this browser. It is not a separate extension you must hunt.

**Email Protection and Fire Button**

Optional DuckDuckGo account features. You can browse without them.

## Who is it for?

- People who already use DuckDuckGo search and want the matching Windows browser
- Users who do not want to only change the search engine in Chrome
- Anyone who thought DuckDuckGo was search-only

## Current status

DuckDuckGo Browser (2022) is a current web browser from DuckDuckGo. The vendor still points Windows users at https://duckduckgo.com/windows.

## How old is it?

DuckDuckGo the search engine is older. The Windows desktop browser arrived in 2022. It is not the 2008 Chrome launch and not a 1990s IE replacement story.

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Current Windows build

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 May 2020 or later, per DuckDuckGo help           |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| RAM              | Enough for Windows plus this app. Heavy projects want more. |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Follows what you open inside the app

  **RAM demand**: Follows documents, tabs, or libraries

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| DuckDuckGo.exe | Main Windows executable |
| -------------- | ----------------------- |

## Startup components

The browser can reopen the last session. It is not a Windows component and does not need to start at sign-in.

## File locations

| Typical install | A WindowsApps DuckDuckGo package, or the vendor MSIX install |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |

## File formats

HTML, PDF, PNG, JPEG

## Common problems

### Install fails on older Windows 10

DuckDuckGo says Windows 10 May 2020 or later. An old 1903 PC will reject the package.

### People think they already have it

Setting DuckDuckGo as the search engine in Edge does not install DuckDuckGo.exe.

## Getting unstuck

### Use duckduckgo.com/windows or the Store listing

A DuckDuckGo browser exe from a download mill is the wrong file.

### Try the official MSIX if the package parser fails

DuckDuckGo help documents an MSIX bundle for package errors. That is their supported fallback.

### Confirm DuckDuckGo.exe, not msedge.exe

If you only changed the search engine, you are still in Edge.

## Alternatives

Firefox or Brave if you want a different privacy-default browser. Using DuckDuckGo search inside Chrome is not this product.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [duckduckgo.com/windows ](https://duckduckgo.com/windows)Official installer or vendor page            |
| ------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Help          | [duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/ ](https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/)Vendor support |
| Official site | [duckduckgo.com/windows ](https://duckduckgo.com/windows)Start here, not a random exe host            |

## Related hardware

A current Windows 10 or 11 PC is enough. RAM follows tab count like other browsers.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[Google Chrome: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/google-chrome)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [DuckDuckGo Browser official site ](https://duckduckgo.com/windows)· Vendor product page
- [DuckDuckGo Browser help ](https://duckduckgo.com/duckduckgo-help-pages/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: DuckDuckGo

  **Category**: Web browser

  **Process**: DuckDuckGo.exe

  **License**: Free to install

  **First released**: 2022

  **Official site**: [duckduckgo.com/windows](https://duckduckgo.com/windows)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

---

Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/duckduckgo-browser/)

[Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)