Falkon
Also called falkon browser, qupzilla
KDE's QtWebEngine browser, formerly QupZilla. On Windows the process is falkon.exe.
What you need to know
Falkon is KDE QtWebEngine. It is not Firefox.
falkon.exe is Falkon, formerly QupZilla. firefox.exe is Firefox. The engine is QtWebEngine, not Gecko.
- What is it?
- Web browser
- Still current?
- Yes, see Current status
- Official download?
- Use the vendor link in this article
What is Falkon?
Falkon is KDE's desktop browser on QtWebEngine. The Windows executable is falkon.exe.
If you have never used it
If you want KDE's browser on Windows, this is Falkon, formerly QupZilla, not Firefox. Download it from falkon.org. The process is falkon.exe. It uses QtWebEngine (Chromium-family), not Gecko. firefox.exe is Firefox.
What is it used for?
Daily tabs on a Chromium-family engine inside a Qt app. It is not Gecko.
Falkon docs cover preferences and extensions. Firefox about:config is the wrong toolbox.
Old QupZilla shortcuts should be replaced with Falkon. The old name is this product family.
Who is it for?
- People who want a KDE browser on Windows
- Users upgrading from QupZilla
- Anyone who assumed falkon.exe was Firefox
Current status
Falkon (2018) is a current web browser from KDE. The vendor still points Windows users at https://www.falkon.org/.
How old is it?
QupZilla was renamed Falkon when it joined KDE, with the Falkon name in 2018. It is newer than Firefox and not a 2004 KDE Konqueror-only story. Current Falkon is QtWebEngine.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | A current supported Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per the vendor |
|---|---|
| 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.
| falkon.exe | Main Windows executable |
|---|
Startup components
Falkon can restore the last session. It is not a Windows service.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files\Falkon\ |
|---|
File formats
Common problems
Old QupZilla profiles
A 2016 QupZilla folder may not migrate cleanly. Use current Falkon docs.
People apply Firefox extension guides
AMO WebExtensions are not Falkon's extension model.
Getting unstuck
Install from falkon.org
A Falkon plus KDE pack from a mill is junk. KDE hosts the project.
Read docs.falkon.org
Mozilla Support will name the wrong engine and profile path.
Confirm falkon.exe, not firefox.exe
Open file location. A Falkon folder is this product.
Alternatives
Firefox if you want Gecko. Chrome or Edge for stock Chromium. Midori if you were pointed at Astian instead.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | www.falkon.org/ Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | docs.falkon.org/ Vendor support |
| Official site | www.falkon.org/ Start here, not a random exe host |
Related hardware
RAM follows QtWebEngine tabs. A current GPU driver helps video.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- Falkon official site · Vendor product page
- Falkon help · Vendor support
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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