YoutubeDownloader for Windows
The open-source desktop app by Tyrrrz — what it is, where to get it safely, and every released version.Get the latest version from GitHub
This is not the official website for that application, and we did not make it.
YoutubeDownloader is a free open-source program written by Oleksii Holub, who publishes under the name Tyrrrz. The only official place to download it is his GitHub repository. Our domain name happens to resemble the app’s name, which is why you have probably landed here.
Every download link on this page points straight to GitHub. We do not host the files, mirror them, or wrap them in an installer. That is deliberate — see the safety section below.
What the app does
It is a desktop program for Windows, macOS and Linux that downloads videos from YouTube. You paste the URL of a video, playlist or channel and pick the format and quality you want. It can also search YouTube by keyword, so you can find a video and queue it without opening a browser.
Under the hood it uses YoutubeExplode, a library by the same author, to communicate with YouTube.
Getting it safely
Searching for youtubedownloader.exe turns up a great many sites offering an installer. Most of them are not the real application. Some bundle adware, some are outright malware, and some charge for software that is free.
Three rules that will keep you out of trouble:
- Download only from github.com/Tyrrrz/YoutubeDownloader. If the address bar says anything else, including this site, you are not getting it from the source.
- Expect a plain archive, not a setup wizard. The official release is a ZIP file you extract and run. There is no installer, no bundled toolbar, and no “download manager” step.
- Be suspicious of any version number that does not exist below. Fake sites often invent higher version numbers to look current.
Windows SmartScreen may warn you when you first run it. That happens because the build is not code-signed with a commercial certificate, which is normal for free open-source projects. It is not itself evidence of a problem — but only trust it if you downloaded from GitHub.
Version history
Each version below links to its official release page on GitHub, where the download files for that version are attached. The most recent release is at the top.
| Version | Released | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.16.6 | 26 Aug 2026 | Fixes a mismatched UI framework version |
| 1.16.5 | 25 Aug 2026 | Hungarian translation, several fixes around FFmpeg and settings |
| 1.16.4 | 22 Apr 2026 | Simplified Chinese translation, reworked quality labels |
| 1.16.3 | 7 Apr 2026 | Maintenance release |
| 1.16.2 | 3 Apr 2026 | Dialog fixes |
| 1.16.1 | 3 Apr 2026 | FFmpeg no longer bundled; the app fetches it when needed |
| 1.16 | 27 Feb 2026 | Interface translations added, configurable FFmpeg path |
| 1.15.3 | 12 Feb 2026 | Fixes 403 errors and the lowest-quality option |
| 1.15.2 | 25 Oct 2025 | Maintenance release |
| 1.15.1 | 4 Oct 2025 | Crash fix when saving to a drive root, Linux arm64 builds |
| 1.15 | 14 May 2025 | macOS bundle, better handling of multiple queries |
| 1.14.2 | 3 Feb 2025 | Dependency updates |
| 1.14.1 | 25 Jan 2025 | Dependency updates |
| 1.14 | 11 Dec 2024 | Downloads all available audio languages |
| 1.13.3 | 27 Sep 2024 | Fixes breakages caused by YouTube changes |
| 1.13.2 | 21 Sep 2024 | Fixes startup on Windows 10 |
| 1.13.1 | 18 Sep 2024 | Dependency updates |
| 1.13 | 22 Aug 2024 | Smaller builds, FFmpeg check on launch |
| 1.12.2 | 21 May 2024 | Maintenance release |
| 1.12.1 | 16 May 2024 | Maintenance release |
Older releases, going back several years, are listed on the project’s full releases page. Unless you have a specific reason to run an old build, take the newest one — older versions stop working as YouTube changes.
Which file to download
Each release page lists several files, one per operating system and processor type. On a normal Windows PC you want the Windows x64 archive. If you are on an ARM-based Windows machine, or on macOS or Linux, pick the matching build for your platform.
There is no installer. Extract the archive to a folder of your choosing and run the executable inside it.
About FFmpeg
The app relies on FFmpeg to combine separate video and audio streams into one file. Older releases shipped with FFmpeg included, which is why those downloads were much larger. From version 1.16.1 onwards it is no longer bundled — the app downloads it by itself the first time it needs it, and you can point it at your own copy in the settings if you prefer.
If you see a message about FFmpeg missing, that is what it means. It is not a sign of a corrupted download.
Before you use it
Downloading videos generally goes against YouTube’s Terms of Service unless YouTube itself offers a download, and most videos belong to the people who made them. Whether any particular download is acceptable depends on the video, the licence attached to it, and where you live.
Legitimate options worth knowing: YouTube Premium includes offline viewing in the app, creators can download their own uploads from YouTube Studio, and videos published under a Creative Commons licence may be reused within that licence.
We publish this page as a reference for the many people who search for this application by name and end up on look-alike sites. What you do with the software is your responsibility.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the official YoutubeDownloader website?
No. The project lives at github.com/Tyrrrz/YoutubeDownloader. Our domain name simply resembles it.
Is the app free?
Yes, and it is open source, so anyone can inspect the code. Nobody should ever charge you for it.
Why does Windows warn me about the file?
The builds are not signed with a paid code-signing certificate, so SmartScreen does not recognise them. This is normal for free open-source software. Only proceed if you downloaded from GitHub.
Which version should I use?
The newest one. YouTube changes frequently, and older builds stop working as a result — most releases exist precisely to fix that.
Does it work on macOS or Linux?
Yes, builds are provided for both. On macOS you may need to clear the quarantine flag before the app will open; the project’s readme explains how.
Do you provide support for the app?
No, and we could not — it is not our software. Problems and bug reports belong in the project’s GitHub issues.
What else is on this site?
Free browser-based YouTube tools — thumbnail downloading, embed code generation, playlist duration, channel statistics and more. Those are ours.