TrenchBroom for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows

Introduction

If you want to build your own levels for classic first-person shooters, TrenchBroom is the free editor that makes it feel modern. It is a free, open-source level editor for Quake-engine games that lets you shape maps in true 3D, with brush-based geometry, textures, entities and lighting, all in one window. It supports Quake, Quake 2 and Hexen 2, with partial support for Quake 3 and Daikatana, and it works on Windows, macOS and Linux. There is no payment, no account and no serial number, and the download from the official TrenchBroom site is the complete editor.

This guide explains what TrenchBroom is, what it can and cannot do, what your PC needs to run it, and how to download and install it from the official website only. You will also get a first-use walkthrough that takes you from installation to a working result in a few minutes. By the end, you should be able to install TrenchBroom on Windows and use it in a real project.

TrenchBroom is best for building Quake and Quake 2 maps, brush-based level design, and retro FPS mapping. Because it is free and legitimate, you do not need a cracked copy or an unknown download site. The official website provides the installer, and the free version is a real, permanent tool, not a short trial.

What Is TrenchBroom?

TrenchBroom is a free 3D level editor that you install on your PC for making game maps. In simple terms, it is a program where you build rooms, corridors and arenas out of brushes, which are solid blocks you can stretch, cut and hollow out, then you paint textures onto them, place enemies, items and lights as entities, and export the finished map for a Quake-engine game. You work in a full 3D view with up to three 2D views beside it, so you can see the level from every angle while you build it.

What makes TrenchBroom useful is how much easier it is than the old editors. It combines a modern 3D and 2D workflow with tools for clipping, CSG operations, texture alignment, validation, undo and automatic backups, and it connects to external compilers so you can build and test a map without leaving the editor. It is free and open source under the GPLv3 licence, so it stays free forever. Two honest notes: TrenchBroom edits levels, it does not include a game, so you need your own copy of Quake or Quake 2 game data to play the maps you make, and the Windows download is a .7z archive, so you need 7-Zip to extract it, plus the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for it to launch.

Key Features

True 3D editing: Build and shape levels directly in a full 3D view, with up to three 2D views beside it.
Brush-based geometry: Create rooms, corridors and arenas from brushes you can stretch, cut and hollow out.
Texture alignment tools: Align textures on walls, floors and ceilings so the map looks clean and professional.
Entity placement: Place enemies, items, lights and spawn points as entities, with a built-in entity browser.
Validation and backups: Built-in validation catches map errors early, and automatic backups protect your work.
Compile and test integration: Connect external map compilers and game engines to build and test a map from inside the editor.
Quake family support: Supports Quake, Quake 2 and Hexen 2, with partial support for Quake 3, Daikatana and custom engines.
Free and open source: TrenchBroom is free and open source under the GPLv3 licence, so it stays free forever.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit
Other software: Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and 7-Zip to extract the download
Processor: A modern dual-core processor or better
RAM: At least 4 GB of RAM for basic use, 8 GB or more recommended for large maps
Storage: Around 200 MB of free disk space for the editor, plus room for game data and maps
Other: A copy of Quake or Quake 2 game data to play your maps, a stable internet connection, and a mouse

These are practical, modern Windows guidelines, not a word-for-word copy of an official specification table. The most important point is simple: TrenchBroom is designed for normal Windows PCs, and a modest modern computer is enough to start.

How to Download TrenchBroom (Official Method)

The only safe place to download TrenchBroom is the official website. Do not download it from random file mirrors or "free download" portals, because those copies may be outdated or bundled with unwanted software. The official site is the source of truth for the current version.

Official download link: https://trenchbroom.github.io

On the official TrenchBroom website, open the downloads section and download the latest Windows 64-bit release, which comes as a .7z archive, to your Downloads folder. The releases are hosted on the official TrenchBroom GitHub page, which the website links to. There is no account, serial number or payment involved at any point. If a site asks you to pay for TrenchBroom, or offers a cracked version of it, leave that site and return to the official TrenchBroom website.

Step-by-Step Installation

Follow these steps in order. Take your time with the install location and component choices, because those are the steps that most often cause problems later.

Install the Visual C++ Redistributable — Download and install the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 Redistributable for x64 if you do not already have it, because TrenchBroom will not launch without it.
Download TrenchBroom from the official site — Open https://trenchbroom.github.io in your browser and download the latest Windows 64-bit .7z release.
Extract the archive with 7-Zip — Right-click the downloaded .7z file, choose 7-Zip and then Extract Here, and open the extracted folder.
Run TrenchBroom — Double-click TrenchBroom.exe in the extracted folder to launch the editor. There is no installer to run.
Point TrenchBroom at your game data — When asked, select the game you want to map for, such as Quake or Quake 2, and point TrenchBroom at the folder where your game is installed.
Confirm the first launch — TrenchBroom opens with its 3D view and 2D views. Click through any welcome screens.
Create a new map — Create a new map from the File menu and save it in your game maps folder, so you know where your work goes.

Tip: TrenchBroom needs the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable installed before it will launch, and the download is a .7z archive, so install 7-Zip first if you do not have it. Always point TrenchBroom at your real game data folder, because it needs the game files to show textures and entities correctly.

First-Use Walkthrough: Your First Quake Room

This walkthrough is a simple first project. It is not a full course, but it will help you see TrenchBroom working on a real project and learn its main tools.

Open TrenchBroom and create a new map — Open the editor and create a new map for Quake from the File menu.
Draw a brush for the floor — Use the brush tool to draw a large flat brush for the floor of your room.
Raise the walls — Draw four tall brushes around the floor to make the walls of the room.
Hollow out the room — Use the CSG hollow tool to carve the inside of the room out of the brushes.
Apply a texture — Pick a texture from the texture browser and apply it to the walls and the floor.
Add a light and a spawn point — Place a light entity above the room and a player spawn point on the floor.
Compile and test the map — Compile the map with your external compiler and open it in Quake to walk around your first room.

Is TrenchBroom Free?

TrenchBroom is free and open source under the GPLv3 licence. You download it from the official TrenchBroom site, install it, and use it without paying and without a time limit. There is no paid version of TrenchBroom itself. Be aware of two honest limits: it edits levels, it does not include a game, so you need your own copy of Quake or Quake 2 game data to play your maps, and the Windows download is a .7z archive that needs 7-Zip and the Visual C++ Redistributable.

That free status is important for this guide. All the steps here use the official download only, and they do not involve cracks, activators or licence keys. If you ever see a site offering a paid or cracked version of the free program, treat it as unsafe and return to the official site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TrenchBroom safe to download?
Yes, when you download it from the official website only. The official installer is the version made by the developer. Avoid third-party sites that bundle extra software or ask for payment for a free program.

Does TrenchBroom work on my Windows PC?
Yes, in most cases. TrenchBroom runs on Windows 10 and 11 (64-bit), and the system requirements above cover a normal modern PC. Check the official site for the exact current version if your PC is older.

Is TrenchBroom really free, or will it stop working?
The free version described in this guide is not a short trial. It stays usable after installation. There is no paid edition of TrenchBroom itself, but you need game data to play your maps.

Do I need a powerful PC to run TrenchBroom?
No, not for basic use. A modern Windows 10 or 11 PC with 4 GB of RAM or more can run it for simple projects. Larger projects with many objects and effects will benefit from more RAM and a faster processor, but you can start and learn on a normal home PC.

Conclusion

TrenchBroom is a useful, free addition to a Windows setup because it is a free open-source level editor for Quake-engine games with true 3D brush editing, and it can be downloaded safely from the official site. Start with a small first project, learn one tool at a time, and build from there.

To get started, download TrenchBroom from the official website here: https://trenchbroom.github.io Install it with the steps above, test it once, and then use it in your next project. With a little practice, it can become a regular part of your workflow.