For Windows developers
Publish your Windows software for free
You can distribute your Windows software for free on Softonic: upload a digitally signed .exe, .msi or .msix file of up to 1 GB and reach users in more than 100 countries, with no registration fee and no revenue share.
Softonic has helped people find and download software since 1997.
Already on Softonic?
Many Windows programs are already listed on Softonic. Find yours and claim it for free to manage the listing, publish new versions and show the Official Distributor badge.
Why developers choose Softonic
100M+
Monthly users
100+
Users in more than 100 countries
18 languages
Publish your listing in up to 18 languages with AI-assisted translation
Free
To publish, with no revenue share
Where to distribute Windows software for free
Four free channels. They don’t exclude each other, so you can use more than one.
| Softonic | Microsoft Store | winget | Your own website | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to publish | Free, with no revenue share | Free for individuals and companies | Free. The installer must be hosted on your own website | Your hosting costs |
| Code signing | Required: signed by a verifiable certificate authority | Microsoft signs MSIX packages. .exe and .msi installers need your own signature | Not required | Up to you |
| Review | Antivirus scan and publishing requirements | Microsoft Store certification | Automated validation and moderator review | None |
| Who finds you | People who look for software on the web, in more than 100 countries | People who browse Microsoft Store on Windows | People who install apps with the winget command | People who find your website |
Updated November 2026. Check each channel’s own terms before you publish.
What you need
Prepare your installer and listing details before you upload.
An installer of up to 1 GB
Upload an .exe, .msi or .msix file.
A digitally signed file
Signed by a verifiable certificate authority. See how to sign it.
Your listing details
A name, a description, an icon and screenshots.
Software that meets our publishing requirements
Check the publishing requirements. Some categories, like piracy or gambling, are not accepted.
Your installer must be digitally signed
To publish through Softonic Publishing Center, your Windows installer must be signed. Check your file before you upload it.
What we accept
Files signed with a code signing certificate from a verifiable certificate authority. Unsigned and self-signed files are not accepted.
How to check your file
Right-click the file, open Properties and look for the Digital Signatures tab. Or run signtool verify /pa on it (SignTool comes with the Windows SDK).
How to get a signature
Get a code signing certificate from a certificate authority, or use Microsoft Artifact Signing (formerly Trusted Signing). Compare requirements and prices on their websites.
If your file is rejected
The email tells you why. Sign the file and submit it again, and it goes back to review.
Signing doesn’t remove the SmartScreen warning right away. According to Microsoft, a new signed file can show a warning until it builds reputation through downloads, which can take several weeks. Read Microsoft’s guide ↗
A real developer story
“Striving to reach an international audience as a solo developer is tough, but Softonic completely opened the doors for me.”
56 countries
Countries where players downloaded his app.
28% of downloads
Came from India, his largest market.
4 months
From June to October 2026.
Publishing on Softonic is easy
Create your account, upload your signed installer, and pass the review.
- Create your account
- Upload your installer
- Go live & get discovered
Create your free account
Set up your organization in a few minutes.
Upload your signed installer
Add your listing details and publish it in up to 18 languages with AI-assisted translation.
Pass the review and go live
Each version is scanned and checked against our requirements. If something needs fixing, an email tells you why. Then publish new versions whenever they’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I distribute my Windows software for free?
You can publish it for free on Softonic through Softonic Publishing Center, with no registration fee and no revenue share, as long as your installer is digitally signed. Other free channels are Microsoft Store, winget and your own website, and you can use several at the same time.
Do I need a code signing certificate to publish on Softonic?
Yes. Your .exe, .msi or .msix file must be digitally signed by a verifiable certificate authority. Unsigned and self-signed files are not accepted. If your file is rejected, the email explains why, so you can sign it and submit it again.
Will signing remove the SmartScreen warning?
Not right away. According to Microsoft, a new signed file can still show a SmartScreen warning until it builds reputation through downloads, which can take several weeks. Signing is still the first step: SmartScreen shows your verified publisher name, and unsigned files start from zero with every new version.
My antivirus flags my installer as a false positive. Can I still publish it?
Not while it’s flagged. Softonic doesn’t publish files that any engine in its scanning pipeline flags as malicious or potentially unwanted, and the rejection email links to the scan report. Report the false positive to that antivirus vendor and submit your file again once it’s cleared.
Will Softonic change my installer?
No. Files on Softonic are the originals, untouched. Softonic scans every file with several antivirus engines and scans it again whenever it’s updated.
Does Softonic pay me per download?
No. Softonic doesn’t pay per download and doesn’t share revenue. What you earn depends on your software’s own business model, and Softonic takes no cut of it.
Ready to join over 40,000 developers?
Create your free account and upload your signed installer. Free to publish, with no revenue share.
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Over 1.5 million programs