Windows 11 / 10  ·  5 minutes  ·  No Python, no admin rights

How to Install gallery-dl on Windows — Step-by-Step Guide 2026

Download gallery-dl.exe, save it to a folder, open PowerShell — done. Optionally add to PATH for system-wide use. No Python installation needed.

Download gallery-dl.exe Set up config file →

Step-by-step installation

How to install gallery-dl on Windows in 5 steps

Works on Windows 11 and Windows 10 (64-bit). No install wizard, no admin rights required.

Step 01

Download gallery-dl.exe

Go to the download page and save gallery-dl.exe from the official GitHub release.

Step 02

Save to a dedicated folder

Move the file to a permanent location, e.g. C:\Tools\gallery-dl\. Avoid Downloads — files there can be auto-cleaned.

Step 03

Open PowerShell in that folder

In Explorer, click the address bar, type powershell and press Enter. PowerShell opens directly in the correct folder.

Step 04

Verify it works

Run gallery-dl --version. A version number like 1.28.x should appear. If so, it's working.

Step 05

Update to the latest version

Run gallery-dl -U. It downloads and replaces itself with the newest release. Do this regularly.

Optional

Set up a config file

Create a gallery-dl.conf to set default output folders, filename templates, and cookies. Config guide →

Optional but recommended

How to add gallery-dl to PATH on Windows

Adding gallery-dl to PATH lets you run gallery-dl from any folder in PowerShell or CMD — without navigating to the gallery-dl folder each time.

GUI method (recommended)

  1. Press Win and search Environment Variables
  2. Click Edit the system environment variables
  3. Under User variables, select Path → Edit
  4. Click New and paste your folder path, e.g. C:\Tools\gallery-dl
  5. Click OK on all dialogs and restart your terminal

PowerShell method

Run this once in PowerShell — sets PATH for your user only, no admin rights needed:

setx PATH "%PATH%;C:\Tools\gallery-dl"

Close and reopen PowerShell after. Test with gallery-dl --version from any directory.

Note: If you see "gallery-dl is not recognized" after adding to PATH, close all terminal windows and reopen them — PATH changes only take effect in new sessions.

Verify & update

Verify the install and keep gallery-dl updated

Check installed version
gallery-dl --version
Update to the latest release
gallery-dl -U
Test with a real download (public Instagram post)
gallery-dl "https://www.instagram.com/p/POST_ID/"
If gallery-dl is not in PATH — run directly from folder
C:\Tools\gallery-dl\gallery-dl.exe --version

Common issues

Troubleshoot gallery-dl installation on Windows

Windows SmartScreen warning when running gallery-dl.exe
Click More info → Run anyway. SmartScreen flags new executables by default. gallery-dl.exe is the unmodified official open source release from GitHub. You can also right-click → Properties → tick Unblock at the bottom → OK.
"gallery-dl is not recognized" in PowerShell
Two options: run gallery-dl directly from its folder, or add the folder to PATH (see section above). After adding to PATH, close all terminal windows and reopen them.
"Access denied" or file blocked by antivirus
Right-click gallery-dl.exe → Properties → tick Unblock at the bottom if visible → OK. This removes the Windows "downloaded from internet" restriction. If antivirus blocks it, add an exception — it's a false positive for open source portables.
gallery-dl downloads nothing / exits immediately
The site may require login. Run gallery-dl --cookies-from-browser chrome "URL" to pass your browser session. See the cookies guide for full details.

More issues? Full gallery-dl troubleshooting guide →