Windows
Recommended Download
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP: Audacity 1.2.6 installer (.exe file, 2.1 MB) - The latest version of the free Audacity audio editor.
Optional Downloads
Plug-ins and Libraries
LADSPA plug-ins 0.4.15 installer (.exe file, 1.5 MB) - over 90 plug-ins.
VST Enabler - Allows Audacity to load VST effect plug-ins.
Plug-Ins - Download additional effects and filters.
LAME MP3 encoder - Allows Audacity to export MP3 files.
Alternative Download Links
If you have trouble with your download, or need an older version of Audacity, try our alternate download links:
- SourceForge (older versions can be viewed by clicking to enter the required folder under "Name")
- Google Code (click on the headings to sort the list)
Audacity Zip file
Windows 98/ME/2000/XP: Audacity 1.2.6 zip file (3.0 MB) - If you cannot run the installer because of restricted permissions, download and unzip this file instead.
System Requirements
Windows 95 and NT are not supported. Windows Vista and 7 are only supported in Audacity Beta.
The values in the "Recommended RAM/processor speed" column below are for tasks like recording for an hour, or editing three 20 minute tracks simultaneously. The values in the "Minimum RAM/processor speed" column will be fine for smaller/shorter tasks, especially if unnecessary programs are closed.
| Windows version | Recommended RAM/ processor speed |
Minimum RAM/ processor speed |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 98, ME | 128 MB / 500 MHz | 64 MB / 300 MHz |
| Windows 2000, XP | 512 MB/1 GHz | 128 MB/300 MHz |
| Windows Vista Home Basic ¶ | 2 GB / 1 GHz | 512 MB / 1 GHz |
| Windows Vista Home Premium/ Business/Ultimate/7 (32-bit) ¶ |
4 GB / 2 GHz | 1 GB / 1 GHz |
| Windows 7 (64-bit) ¶ | 4 GB / 2 GHz | 2 GB / 1 GHz |
| ¶Windows Vista / 7 are not supported in Audacity 1.2.6. |
Generally, Audacity works best on computers meeting more than the minimum requirements in the table above. Where Audacity is to be used for lengthy multi-track projects, we recommend using Windows XP, Vista or 7 running on machines of substantially higher specification than the minimum stated above.
