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

Learning to code is much more fun when you can see your program come alive as a cartoon character moving across the screen. That is exactly what Scratch is built for, and its desktop app lets you do it without an internet connection. This Scratch Desktop download for PC guide covers what Scratch Desktop is, how to download it from the official website, how to install it on Windows 10 and Windows 11, and how to create your first sprite animation.

What Is Scratch Desktop?

Scratch Desktop is the free offline editor for Scratch, the block-based programming language created by the MIT Media Lab. Instead of typing code, you snap together colourful blocks that control sprites — the characters and objects on the stage. You can make sprites move, talk, change costumes, play sounds and react to keyboard presses, and combine those blocks into games, animations and interactive stories. Because Scratch Desktop runs on your PC, you can create and save projects without being online, which makes it ideal for classrooms, homework and coding clubs. Projects made in the desktop app use the same format as the online editor, so you can later open them in a browser if you wish.

Key Features

Block-based coding: drag and snap blocks together — no typing syntax and no spelling errors to chase.
Offline editing: build and save complete projects without an internet connection.
Sprite and costume editor: draw your own characters or choose from the built-in sprite and backdrop library.
Sound editor: record sounds, trim clips and add effects to your animations and games.
Extensions: add music, pen drawing, text-to-speech and video sensing blocks when you are ready to go further.
Beginner-friendly design: built for ages 8 and up, but used by older beginners and hobbyists too.
Free and safe: no account needed for the desktop app, no ads, and no in-app purchases.

System Requirements

Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit)
Processor: any modern dual-core CPU
RAM: 4 GB or more recommended
Storage: around 250 MB of free disk space for the app, plus room for your projects
Display: any resolution; a larger screen makes the block workspace easier to use
Internet: only needed to download the app; creating and saving projects works offline

How to Download Scratch Desktop (Official Method)

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

Open your browser and go to the Download Scratch Desktop from the official website.
Open the Download page (scratch.mit.edu/download) and choose the Windows version of Scratch Desktop.
Save the installer file to your Downloads folder.
Wait for the download to finish before opening the file.

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

Step-by-Step Installation

Open your Downloads folder and double-click the Scratch Desktop installer.
If Windows shows a security prompt, click Yes to allow the installation to continue.
Read and accept the license terms, then click Install.
Keep the suggested install location, or browse to choose a different folder.
Leave the option to create a desktop shortcut enabled so Scratch Desktop is easy to launch.
Wait while the installer copies the program files to your PC.
Click Finish when the installer completes.
Scratch Desktop opens with a new project, a cat sprite on the stage, and the block palette ready on the left.

How to Create Your First Sprite Animation in Scratch Desktop

Start with the default cat sprite. From the Motion blocks, drag a move 10 steps block into the coding area, then snap a when green flag clicked block from Events on top of it. Click the green flag above the stage and the cat walks to the right. Now make it animated: add a next costume block from Looks after the move block, then wrap both in a repeat 10 block from Control. Click the green flag again and the cat walks while changing costumes, which looks like walking. Try adding a say Hello! for 2 seconds block, or a sound block from the Sound palette, and press the green flag to watch your first animation play. Save your project with File > Save to your computer.

Is Scratch Desktop Free? The Licensing Terms Explained

Yes. Scratch Desktop is completely free, provided by the MIT Media Lab as a non-profit educational project. There is no trial, no paid version of the editor, no ads and no account required to use the desktop app. The online version of Scratch is also free, with an optional free account if you want to share projects with the community. Anyone offering to sell you Scratch Desktop is not an official source — download it only from the link in this guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scratch Desktop safe to install?
Yes, when you download it from the official MIT website. It is a widely used educational tool with no bundled adware and no in-app purchases.

Does Scratch Desktop work on Windows 11?
Yes. The current version runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit).

Do I need an internet connection to use Scratch Desktop?
No. Once installed, you can create, edit and save projects fully offline.

Can I open desktop projects in the online Scratch editor?
Yes. Save the project from the desktop app, then load that file in the online editor, or the other way round.

Is Scratch only for children?
It is designed for young learners, but it is also a genuinely good first step into programming logic for teenagers and adults.

Conclusion

Scratch Desktop is the easiest free way to start programming on a Windows PC: no code to type, no internet needed, and a working animation in your first few minutes. Download it only from the official website linked in this guide, follow the installation steps above, and you will have your first sprite walking across the stage today.

Scratch Desktop for PC: How to Download & Install on Windows