Yes, there's an official Instagram desktop app for Windows. It's free in the Microsoft Store, published by Instagram, and it needs Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher. The Store marks it as a progressive web app, so it's the Instagram website running in its own window rather than a separate program.
Every detail on this page comes from Instagram's own Microsoft Store listing, read as of October 2026. Store listings change when Meta updates the app, so if a number here doesn't match what you see, trust the listing in front of you.
That progressive web app label is the bit most guides skip, and it explains a lot. The Store lists the whole thing at roughly 1.5 MB, which is tiny for a desktop app. It also explains why the app and the browser version feel almost identical: they're built on the same Instagram on the web.
What the Microsoft Store listing says
| Detail | What the listing shows |
|---|---|
| Publisher | |
| Price | Free |
| Category | Social |
| App type | Progressive web app |
| Operating system | Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher |
| Minimum memory | 2 GB |
| Device | PC |
| Processor types | x86, x64, ARM and ARM64 |
| Permission it asks for | Access your Internet connection |
| Age rating | For ages 13 and up |
| Approximate size | About 1.5 MB |
| First released in the Store | 26 February 2016 |
| Last updated | 12 August 2026 |
Because the requirement says Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher, a Windows 11 PC clears it. The ARM and ARM64 entries mean it's also listed for the newer ARM-based Windows laptops, not just traditional Intel and AMD machines.
Two more details from the listing are worth a glance before you install. It shows an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 from 18,860 ratings. And the support links it gives are Instagram's own Help Centre and a Meta support email address, which is another quick way to tell you've found the official app rather than a lookalike.
How to install Instagram on a Windows PC
- Open the Microsoft Store app on your PC, or go to the Microsoft Store website.
- Search for Instagram and pick the listing published by Instagram. Check the publisher name, because there are unofficial companion apps with similar names.
- Click Get or Install. It's free.
- Open the app from the Start menu and log in with your Instagram account.
- If you're on a shared or work computer, log out when you've finished.
That publisher check matters more than people think. Search the Store for Instagram and you'll see other apps with Instagram in the name. Only the one published by Instagram is Meta's own.
What you can do in the desktop app
The Store description lists the main jobs it's built for:
- Post photos and videos to your feed and profile. The listing's release notes flag this as new: you can now post to your feed and profile from the app.
- Message your friends with Messenger, and share what you see on feed and Stories.
- Watch videos from creators you follow.
- Browse photos and videos from new accounts in Explore.
The listing also says some Instagram features may not be available in your country or region, so don't be surprised if a button you have on your phone is missing.
Desktop app vs browser vs phone
| Option | Best for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Windows desktop app | People at a Windows PC all day who want Instagram in its own window | A progressive web app, so it behaves much like the browser version |
| Instagram in a browser | Mac users, shared computers, or anyone who doesn't want to install anything | Nothing to install, and it works on a Mac too |
| Phone app | Filming and posting on the go | Your camera is right there when you need it |
If you're on a Mac, this listing won't help you, because the Microsoft Store is Windows only. I didn't find an official Mac listing in what I checked, so the browser is the route to use. My guide to Instagram on the web walks through it step by step, and if you've got a tablet, Instagram has a separate iPad app.
Is the desktop app worth installing?
For most small business owners, I'd say yes if you spend your working day on a Windows PC. Having Instagram in its own window means you can reply to messages and comments without losing it among a dozen browser tabs, and it takes up almost no space. It won't replace your phone for filming, but it keeps Instagram one click away.
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If messages are the main reason you want Instagram on your computer, it's also worth setting up the Messenger desktop app alongside it, so all your Meta conversations sit in one place on your PC.
If the app won't install or open
- Check your Windows version. The listing needs Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher.
- Check your memory. The listing names 2 GB as the minimum.
- Make sure you're online. Internet access is the one permission it asks for, and it can't work without it.
- Use the browser in the meantime. Because the app is built on Instagram on the web, the browser version gets you the same account and messages while you sort the install out.
- For account problems, the listing points to Instagram's Help Centre for support.
My advice
Install the official Windows app if you're at a PC all day and want Instagram out of your browser tabs. Check the publisher says Instagram before you click Get, and keep your phone for creating content. On a Mac, skip the hunt for an app and use the browser version. It's the same Instagram either way, so pick whichever keeps you replying faster.
Opening links from Instagram on a computer? See what Instagram link history shows.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an Instagram app for Windows?
Yes. Instagram has a free official app in the Microsoft Store, published by Instagram. It needs Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher.
Is the Instagram desktop app free?
Yes. The Microsoft Store lists it as free.
Can you post on Instagram from the desktop app?
Yes. The Store listing says you can now post photos and videos to your feed and profile from the app.
Does the Instagram desktop app work on Windows 11?
The listing asks for Windows 10 version 16299.0 or higher, so a Windows 11 PC meets the requirement.
Is there an Instagram app for Mac?
The Microsoft Store app is Windows only, and I didn't find an official Mac listing in what I checked. On a Mac, use Instagram in your browser at instagram.com.
