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You Can Try DuckDuckGo’s Windows Browser Now

The beta version of the privacy-minded browser is available now to Windows users.

Zachary McAuliffe Staff writer
Zach began writing for CNET in November, 2021 after writing for a broadcast news station in his hometown, Cincinnati, for five years. You can usually find him reading and drinking coffee or watching a TV series with his wife and their dog.
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Zachary McAuliffe
2 min read
DuckDuckGo logo

DuckDuckGo's Windows browser is in beta.

DuckDuckGo; illustration by Stephen Shankland/CNET

DuckDuckGo, the privacy-focused search engine, rolled out the beta version of its Windows desktop browser to the general public on Thursday. The company said in a news release that all Windows users can download and try the browser now.

"This has been our most requested product for years," a DuckDuckGo spokesperson said in an email to CNET. "We're proud to finally make it available to everyone."

According to DuckDuckGo, the Windows browser is already equipped with many of the same privacy protections DuckDuckGo browser users on iOS, Android and Mac already have, including secure password management, free email protection and third-party tracker blocking. 

Windows users can also use Duck Player, a more private YouTube video player, and a cookie consent pop-up tool designed to automatically choose the most private option.

And if you're hesitant to switch to the DuckDuckGo browser because you don't want to re-enter your passwords and rebuild your bookmarks, never fear -- you can import all those from your other browser to DuckDuckGo. (And if you want an even better privacy option, use a password manager.)

DuckDuckGo said it's working to bring more features, like additional privacy features and the ability to pin tabs, to future versions of the browser too.

"DuckDuckGo for Windows has come a long way in this short time, and it will only keep improving from here," DuckDuckGo wrote online.

However, the browser is in beta so some features might be buggy. If you run into some issues while using the browser, you can use the anonymous feedback form in the browser's three-dot menu (...) near the Fire button.

To download the DuckDuckGo Windows beta browser, go here and follow the onscreen instructions.

For more, here's what to know about DuckDuckGo and five reasons to ditch Google and switch to DuckDuckGo. You can also check out what to know about the DuckDuckGo's Mac beta app.

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