novelWriter for PC — Free Download & Install on Windows 10/11

Does your novel live in a dozen scattered files that are hard to keep in order? novelWriter is a free, open-source writing app for long stories, and this guide covers the novelwriter download for pc, the official source, and a step-by-step install. You will learn what novelWriter does, what your PC needs, and how to start your first chapter in minutes.

What Is novelWriter?

novelWriter is a free, open-source plain-text editor for writing novels and other long projects. It was created by Veronica Berglyd Olsen and is built with Python and Qt. Instead of one huge document, your book is split into many small text files, one per chapter or scene.

Text uses a light markup style inspired by Markdown, so you write with simple codes for headings and emphasis. A second, metadata syntax adds comments, scene synopses, and tags for characters, places, and plot notes. Everything is stored as plain text, so your work is never locked into a special format.

The app also helps you see the shape of your book. Novel View shows your chapters as one flowing text, while Outline View lists scenes with their notes. When the draft is done, the Manuscript Build tool joins the pieces into one file for export. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, with a simple Windows setup installer.

Key Features

Plain-text storage: every document is a readable text file, easy to back up and track.
Project tree: organise chapters, scenes, and notes in folders you can reorder at will.
Markdown-like markup: use simple codes for headings, emphasis, and strikethrough.
Notes and tags: tag characters, places, and plot points, then cross-reference them between files.
Comments and synopsis: keep notes and scene summaries in the text without printing them.
Novel and Outline views: read the story as one text, or scan its structure at a glance.
Manuscript Build: assemble the draft and export it to ODT, Word, PDF, HTML, or Markdown.

System Requirements

Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit.
Processor: any modern processor, even a modest one.
Memory: at least 2 GB of RAM, with 4 GB recommended for very long books.
Disk space: around 200 MB for the app, plus space for your projects.
Network: an internet connection for the download; writing works fully offline.
Display: any screen, with dark themes included for night writing sessions.

How to Download novelWriter (Official Method)

Always get novelWriter from the official source so you receive the genuine, untouched software. Follow these steps:

Open your browser and go to the Download novelWriter from the official website.
On the novelWriter site, open the download section.
Choose the Windows setup installer from the options shown.
Save the installer file and wait for the download to finish.
Open your Downloads folder and double-click the installer file.

Avoid third-party download sites that bundle extra software. The official website above is the only source you need.

The whole novelwriter download for pc process usually takes only a few minutes on a normal broadband connection. Once the file is saved on your computer, you can install it whenever you are ready.

Step-by-Step Installation

Run the installer and click Yes on the Windows security prompt.
Choose your language and click Next to continue.
Accept the GPL licence agreement, then click Next.
Keep the default install folder and click Next.
Choose whether to add a Start menu shortcut, then click Install.
Wait for setup to copy the files, then click Finish.
Launch novelWriter from the Start menu.
When the welcome screen appears, choose to create a new project.

How to Start Your First Chapter in novelWriter

A first chapter proves the project works, so keep it short and simple. If you have just completed the novelwriter download for pc and installation above, you are ready to begin.

Open novelWriter and click New Project.
Give the project a name, such as My First Novel, and pick a folder.
In the project tree, right-click the Novel folder and add a new document.
Name the document Chapter One and press Enter.
Type a chapter heading with two hash signs, like ## Chapter One.
Write your opening lines below the heading in plain text.
Press Ctrl+S to save, then check the word count at the bottom.

Add a note next to the chapter for ideas, and tag a character with @char: so you can find every scene they appear in later. That small habit keeps a long book easy to search.

Is novelWriter Free? The Price Explained

novelWriter is free and open source. It is released under the GNU GPL v3, with no paid edition, no subscription, and no locked features. You can use it for novels, short stories, and long drafts without paying anything. There is no trial clock on this novelwriter download for pc, and no feature stops working after a month.

The project is kept alive by its developer and community, so donations help, but they are never required. Because the source code is open, anyone can check it, fix it, or improve it, which keeps novelWriter safe and honest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is novelWriter really free?
Yes. It is open-source software under the GPL v3, with no paid edition and no licence cost.

Is novelWriter a full Markdown editor?
No. It uses a small Markdown-like syntax for headings and emphasis, plus its own metadata lines for notes and tags.

Can I export my novel?
Yes. The Manuscript Build tool joins your documents and exports them to ODT, Word, PDF, HTML, or Markdown.

Does novelWriter work offline?
Yes. Your projects are local plain-text files, and no account is needed to write.

Is novelWriter good for non-fiction?
It is built for fiction, but long non-fiction can work too. It is not a research organiser, so keep heavy research elsewhere.

Conclusion

novelWriter is a strong, free choice for Windows users who want to write a novel without a costly app. It is safe when you download it from the official site, simple to install, and ready to write in minutes. Download it from the official link in this guide and start your first chapter today.

For a safe novelwriter download for pc, stick to the official link above and ignore mirror sites that bundle extras. Once it is installed, write a little each day, and novelWriter will soon feel like a natural part of your writing habit.

novelWriter for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows