To install CapCut on a Windows PC, go to capcut.com/tools/desktop-video-editor, click Download for Windows, and run the installer. After the install finishes, sign in with Google, TikTok, or Facebook to remove the watermark on exports, then click New Project to start editing.
Applies to: Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 14, 2026
Key Takeaways
- The official installer lives at capcut.com/tools/desktop-video-editor — never download CapCut from a third-party mirror.
- CapCut is free. Signing in with a Google, TikTok, or Facebook account removes the watermark from exports and unlocks cloud templates.
- After install, CapCut runs a hardware test. If it flags a graphics card as unsupported, update the GPU driver before editing — see my graphics driver update guide.
- CapCut works on Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2), with 8 GB RAM and an Intel UHD 600 / AMD Vega / NVIDIA GTX 10-series GPU or newer as the realistic minimum.
- For heavier projects or longer timelines, pair CapCut with DaVinci Resolve 20 — it is also free and scales to full feature-film workflows.
Quick Steps
- Open capcut.com/tools/desktop-video-editor.
- Click Download for Free and run the downloaded CapCut_installer.exe.
- Approve the UAC prompt and wait for the install to finish.
- Sign in with Google, TikTok, or Facebook so exports are watermark-free.
- Click New Project, drag your media into the timeline, and export when finished.
Step 1: Download the CapCut Installer
Open a browser and go to capcut.com/tools/desktop-video-editor. This is the official URL owned by ByteDance — avoid third-party mirrors that ship repackaged installers bundled with adware. Click Download for Free, confirm any browser security prompt, and save CapCut_installer.exe. The installer is around 250 MB.
Tip: If the CapCut page is blocked in your region, WinGet can fetch the installer directly: open an elevated PowerShell and run
winget install --id Bytedance.CapCut -e. Note that CapCut itself requires a working internet connection to sign in and unlock watermark-free export.
Step 2: Install CapCut
Right-click CapCut_installer.exe and choose Run as administrator. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt. The installer is silent — no options to configure — and finishes in 2–3 minutes on a typical SSD. CapCut launches automatically at the end.
Step 3: Pass the Hardware Test
On first launch, CapCut runs an internal hardware check that verifies the GPU driver, available VRAM, and codec support. The test takes about 30 seconds. Possible outcomes:
- All green: CapCut opens the main interface.
- Graphics card problem: CapCut will still run, but 4K previews and some effects are disabled. Update your GPU driver via my graphics driver guide and relaunch CapCut.
- Low memory warning: Close other apps, or consider a GPU upgrade if the machine is older than six years.
Step 4: Sign In to Remove the Watermark
CapCut adds a small watermark to exported videos when you are not signed in. Signing in also enables the template library, cloud saves, and speech-to-text. The sign-in options are TikTok, Google, Facebook, or a QR-code link from the CapCut mobile app. Google is the fastest because it reuses an existing browser session.
- Click the Sign in button in the top-right corner of CapCut.
- Pick Continue with Google (or TikTok / Facebook).
- The browser opens, you approve access, and CapCut completes the login automatically.
Step 5: Create Your First CapCut Project
Back on the CapCut home screen, click New Project. The editor opens with the standard three-panel layout: media library (top-left), preview (top-right), and timeline (bottom). Drag video, audio, or image files into the media library, then drag them down to the timeline in the order you want them to play.
To export the finished video, click Export in the top-right, pick a resolution (up to 4K), a frame rate, and a bitrate, then save the file. CapCut encodes using the GPU when the hardware test passed — expect around real-time for 1080p H.264 on mid-range machines.
Make CapCut Better With Fonts, Text, and Extras
- Add custom fonts to CapCut so you can use the fonts you installed on Windows alongside CapCut’s built-in library.
- Recreate the MrBeast text style in CapCut with the exact font, stroke, and shadow settings.
- Need captions in another language? Use CapCut’s built-in speech-to-text (sign-in required) — it transcribes English, Spanish, Mandarin, and about 20 more languages.
Troubleshooting CapCut Installation and First Launch
The installer freezes at “Preparing”. CapCut’s installer depends on the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Install the latest Visual C++ x64 redistributable, reboot, and rerun the CapCut installer.
CapCut launches to a black window. This is almost always a GPU driver issue. Update the GPU driver, then right-click the CapCut shortcut, open Properties > Compatibility, and tick Disable fullscreen optimizations. Launch CapCut again.
Sign-in never completes. CapCut’s OAuth flow needs the default browser. Change the default browser in Settings > Apps > Default apps, restart CapCut, and try the sign-in again. If TikTok sign-in fails, use Google instead — it is the most stable option.
The watermark is still there after signing in. Export uses the account state at the moment you click Export. Sign out and back in, then re-export. For the Pro-only watermark-free templates, a CapCut Pro subscription is required — the free account only removes the default branding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CapCut for PC free?
Yes. The desktop version of CapCut is free to download and use on Windows 10 and Windows 11. A CapCut Pro subscription unlocks extra effects and AI tools, but every core editing and export feature — including watermark removal via account sign-in — is free.
How do I remove the CapCut watermark?
Sign in to CapCut with a Google, TikTok, or Facebook account before exporting. The default watermark is applied only when the export starts from a signed-out session.
What are the minimum system requirements for CapCut on Windows?
CapCut officially supports Windows 10 and Windows 11 with at least 8 GB of RAM and an Intel UHD 600 / AMD Vega / NVIDIA GTX 10-series GPU or newer. For 4K timelines and smooth GPU-accelerated export, 16 GB RAM and a 20-series NVIDIA or RX 6600 AMD card are a better fit.
Why does CapCut flag my graphics card on first launch?
The hardware test checks driver version and codec support. An outdated driver or an unsupported integrated GPU trips the warning. Update the driver following my graphics driver guide and relaunch — the warning usually clears.
Is CapCut safe to install from the official website?
Yes. The installer at capcut.com is signed by Bytedance Pte. Ltd. Avoid third-party download mirrors — older CapCut installers repackaged with adware have appeared on free software aggregator sites.
