Cryptomator for PC: How to Download and Install on Windows (2026 Guide)

Cloud storage is handy, but everything you upload to Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive sits on the provider’s servers in a form the provider can read. Cryptomator fixes that: it encrypts your files on your own PC before the cloud app uploads them, so the provider stores only unreadable, scrambled data — and only you hold the password.

This guide shows you how to download Cryptomator for PC from its official website, install it on Windows 11 or 10, and create your first encrypted vault inside a cloud folder. The desktop app is free and open source; the guide also explains honestly which parts of the Cryptomator family cost money.

What Is Cryptomator?

Cryptomator is free, open-source client-side encryption software. Instead of encrypting a whole drive, it creates a “vault” — a special folder you place inside your Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive or any other synced folder. On your PC, an unlocked vault appears as an ordinary virtual drive: you open it, work with your files as normal, and Cryptomator encrypts everything on the fly before it is written back.

Files inside the vault are encrypted individually with AES-256, and file names and the folder structure are scrambled too, so the cloud provider cannot even see what your documents are called. Because encryption happens on your device under the zero-knowledge principle — your password never leaves your machine — no account or registration is required. Your sync app then uploads only the encrypted vault data, which you can open on any device where you have Cryptomator and the password.

Key Features

Client-side AES-256 encryption: Files are encrypted on your PC before upload, following the zero-knowledge principle — only you know the password.
Virtual drive access: An unlocked vault shows up as a normal Windows drive letter, so every program can open and save files in it without special support.
Encrypted filenames and structure: Not just contents — file names, folder names and the directory layout are obfuscated inside the vault.
Works with any cloud: Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, iCloud Drive, Nextcloud or any folder that syncs — Cryptomator adds encryption on top of the service you already use.
No account needed: No sign-up, no key management servers, nothing sent anywhere; your vault password stays on your devices.
Recovery key protection: When you create a vault you can save a recovery key, which lets you reset a forgotten vault password instead of losing your files.
Open source and audited: The code is public and has undergone independent security audits, so its protection can be verified rather than taken on faith.

System Requirements

Operating System: Windows 11 or Windows 10 (64-bit)
Processor: Any modern Intel or AMD CPU
RAM: 4 GB recommended (2 GB minimum)
Storage: Around 200 MB for the app, plus space for your vault inside your cloud folder
Display: 1024×768 or higher
Additional Software: The Windows installer includes WinFsp, the component Cryptomator uses to present vaults as virtual drives — let it install
Internet: Required for the download, and for your cloud service’s sync client to upload the encrypted vault

How to Download Cryptomator (Official Method)

For encryption software, the source is everything: a tampered copy could defeat the protection you installed it for. Cryptomator is free on desktop, and the genuine installer is published only on the official website. Never download it from download portals or file-sharing sites — always use the official downloads page below.

Official Website: Download Cryptomator from the official website

Step-by-Step Installation

Open the official Cryptomator downloads page linked above.
Click the Windows download to get the EXE installer (it includes WinFsp).
Save the setup file to your Downloads folder.
Double-click the installer and approve the Windows administrator prompt.
Accept the license terms and keep the default installation location.
Allow the WinFsp component to install when the wizard offers it — Cryptomator needs it to mount your vault as a drive.
Click Finish, then launch Cryptomator from the Start menu.

Tip: Take the offer of a desktop shortcut during setup — you will open Cryptomator every time you unlock your vault.

How to Create Your First Vault in Cryptomator

Open Cryptomator and click the + button, then choose “Create New Vault.”
Give the vault a name, then choose its location — pick a folder inside your Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive folder so the encrypted vault syncs to the cloud.
Set a strong, unique password for the vault; the wizard shows a strength meter as you type.
When Cryptomator offers a recovery key, save it somewhere safe and separate from the vault — print it or keep it in a password manager.
Click “Unlock Now,” type your password, and your vault opens as a new drive in Windows Explorer.
Copy the files you want protected into that drive, close it, and click Lock in Cryptomator when you finish — your cloud app will now sync only encrypted data.

Is Cryptomator Free? The Pricing Explained Honestly

On desktop — Windows, macOS and Linux — yes, Cryptomator is completely free and open source. All encryption features are free to use with no vault limit, no trial and no subscription. An optional supporter certificate funds development (and unlocks dark mode), but you never need it to encrypt anything.

The mobile apps are the paid part, worth knowing before you rely on phone access: the Android and iOS apps are paid products (their free versions are read-only — you can view files but not add or change them), bought as a one-off purchase or license key rather than a subscription. Encrypting from your PC costs nothing at all; full access from your phone is the paid extra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cryptomator safe to download?
Yes — as long as you download it only from the official website, cryptomator.org. Cryptomator is a respected open-source project with publicly available, independently audited code, which is exactly what you want from encryption software. A modified copy from a third-party site cannot be trusted, so never use download portals or file-sharing pages.

What happens if I forget my vault password?
If you saved the recovery key when you created the vault, you can use it to set a new password and recover access. Without the password and without the recovery key, nobody — not even the Cryptomator team — can decrypt your files, so store both carefully.

Does Cryptomator work with Google Drive and OneDrive?
Yes. Cryptomator does not sync anything itself; you simply create the vault inside the local folder that Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox or another client already syncs. The client uploads the encrypted vault, and the provider never sees your readable files.

Is Cryptomator really free on Windows?
Yes. On Windows (and macOS/Linux) every encryption feature is free, with no limits. Only the Android and iOS apps are paid, and their free versions are read-only.

Conclusion

Cryptomator is the simplest way to keep using the cloud services you like without handing them your readable files: free, audited, client-side encryption that turns any synced folder into a private vault. Download it only from the official website, guard your password and recovery key, and your files stay yours alone.

Download Cryptomator from the Official Website