This is an unofficial guide. The official QGIS project is at qgis.org. The OSGeo4W installer is the official recommended way to install QGIS on Windows.
Quick install
Install QGIS on Windows in 4 steps
- 1
Download osgeo4w-setup.exe
Click the download button above. This is the official OSGeo4W Network Installer from osgeo.org.
- 2
Run as Administrator
Right-click the installer → Run as administrator. Choose Express Desktop Install.
- 3
Select QGIS package
Choose qgis-ltr for the stable long-term release or qgis for the latest version. Accept all dependencies.
- 4
Launch QGIS
Find QGIS Desktop in the Start menu. First launch takes 15–30 seconds while Python and GDAL initialise.
All guides
QGIS on Windows — complete guide index
| Guide | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Install guide | Full OSGeo4W install walkthrough |
| LTR vs Latest | Which version to choose and why |
| System requirements | Minimum and recommended specs |
| MSI vs OSGeo4W | Compare the two installer types |
| Download LTR | Get QGIS 3.40 LTR directly |
| Latest version | What is new in QGIS 3.42 |
| Standalone installer | MSI standalone setup |
| OSGeo4W guide | Advanced OSGeo4W configuration |
| Troubleshooting | Install and startup errors |
| QGIS not opening | Crash and startup fix |
| Python errors | Python/GDAL error fixes |
| QGIS crashes | Crash and freeze fixes |
| QGIS slow | Performance optimisation |
| Update QGIS | How to update safely |
| Plugins | Install and manage plugins |
| CRS & projections | Coordinate systems on Windows |
| QGIS vs ArcGIS | GIS software comparison |
| Uninstall | Remove QGIS completely |
| FAQ | All common questions |
Quick answers
Common questions
LTR or Latest — which should I install?
For most users: LTR (Long Term Release). It is stable, well-tested and supported for at least one year. Choose Latest only if you specifically need a feature introduced in the last few months. See the full LTR vs Latest comparison.
What are the minimum system requirements for QGIS?
Minimum: 4 GB RAM, 2 GB disk space, Windows 10 64-bit. Recommended: 8+ GB RAM, SSD, dedicated GPU for large raster datasets. See full requirements guide.
Is QGIS free for commercial use?
Yes. QGIS is released under the GNU GPL licence, which permits free use for personal, academic and commercial purposes. There are no licensing fees or seat limits.