How to Install Okular PDF Viewer on Windows Without Microsoft Store (3 Methods)

You can install Okular PDF Viewer on Windows 10 or 11 without using the Microsoft Store by running a single WinGet command, downloading the .appx package directly via the Microsoft Store link generator, or using the Chocolatey package manager. WinGet is the simplest method since it’s built into Windows 10 (version 1809+) and Windows 11 — no third-party tools required.

Applies to: Windows 10 (1809+, 22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2, 24H2, 25H2) | Last updated: April 23, 2026

Key Takeaways

• WinGet is the fastest installation method — one command in PowerShell or Command Prompt installs Okular with no downloads to manage manually.
• The direct .appx download method works on any Windows 10/11 system, even those with the Microsoft Store removed or broken.
• Okular installed via any of these methods works identically to the Microsoft Store version — same features, same update behavior via your chosen package manager.
• Once Okular is installed, you can also install Microsoft Store apps without the Store using UniGetUI — see the UniGetUI guide for a full walkthrough.

Quick Steps

1. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as administrator
2. Run: winget install -e --id KDE.Okular
3. Accept the prompt and wait for installation to complete
4. Launch Okular from the Start menu

In This Guide

There are three ways to install Okular without the Microsoft Store:

• Method 1: WinGet — one command, built into Windows 10/11 (Recommended)
• Method 2: Direct .appx Download — downloads the package file without needing the Store app
• Method 3: Chocolatey — alternative for users already using Chocolatey

Method 1: Install Okular Using WinGet (Recommended)

WinGet is Windows’ built-in package manager, available on Windows 10 (version 1809 and later) and all versions of Windows 11. It installs apps directly from Microsoft’s repository without needing the Store app to be open or functional. This is the fastest method — the entire process takes under two minutes.

1. Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin)
2. Run the following command:

winget install -e --id KDE.Okular

Accept any prompts that appear. WinGet downloads and installs Okular automatically. Once complete, Okular appears in your Start menu. To update it later, run:

winget upgrade KDE.Okular

Or update all installed WinGet packages at once:

winget upgrade --all

Tip: If you prefer a graphical interface for managing WinGet packages, UniGetUI gives you a full app store experience using WinGet, Chocolatey, and other package managers in one window.

Method 2: Direct .appx Download

This method downloads the Okular .appx package file directly from Microsoft’s servers without requiring the Store app to be installed or signed in. It’s useful on systems where the Store is broken, removed, or blocked by a group policy.

Step 1: Get the Microsoft Store URL for Okular

The Microsoft Store URL for Okular is:

https://www.microsoft.com/store/apps/9n41msq1wnm8

Step 2: Generate a Direct Download Link

1. Go to store.rg-adguard.net
2. Paste the Okular Store URL into the search field
3. Set the dropdown to Retail and click the checkmark

Step 3: Download the .appx Bundle

In the results list, look for a file ending in .appxbundle or .msixbundle (approximately 100–200 MB). Click the link to download it. If your browser blocks the download, right-click and choose “Save link as.”

Step 4: Install the .appx Package

Double-click the downloaded .appxbundle file. An installation window opens — click Install and wait for it to complete. Okular will appear in your Start menu once finished.

This same technique works for any Microsoft Store app. I cover the full process in more detail in the guide on installing Microsoft Store apps without the Microsoft Store.

Method 3: Install Okular Using Chocolatey

Chocolatey is a community-run package manager for Windows. If you’re already using Chocolatey, you can install Okular with one command. If you’re not already using Chocolatey, the WinGet method above is simpler since WinGet is already built into Windows.

Step 1: Open PowerShell as Administrator

Press Win + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Terminal (Admin). If you don’t have Chocolatey installed yet, visit chocolatey.org/install first and follow the setup instructions.

Step 2: Run the Chocolatey Install Command

choco install okular

Chocolatey downloads and installs Okular along with any required dependencies. To update or uninstall it later:

choco upgrade okular

choco uninstall okular

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Okular and why would I use it instead of Adobe Reader?

Okular is a free, open-source document viewer from the KDE project. It supports PDFs, ePub, MOBI, XPS, and over a dozen other formats. Unlike Adobe Reader, Okular lets you annotate PDFs — highlight text, add notes, draw shapes — without needing to pay for Acrobat Pro. It’s a solid alternative for anyone who works with PDFs regularly.

Why install without the Microsoft Store?

Some users have the Microsoft Store removed or blocked — this is common on enterprise systems, custom Windows images built with UnattendedWinstall, or Windows LTSC editions that don’t include the Store. WinGet and Chocolatey work on all these configurations.

Is it safe to install Okular using these methods?

Yes. WinGet pulls packages from Microsoft’s official repository. The .appx direct download method uses Microsoft’s own servers via the rg-adguard.net link generator. Chocolatey packages are community-maintained but tied to the official Okular KDE release. All three methods install the same official software.

Does Okular installed this way receive updates?

Via WinGet or Chocolatey, yes — running winget upgrade --all or choco upgrade all updates Okular along with everything else managed by those package managers. The direct .appx method requires manual re-download and reinstall when a new version is released.

Can Okular replace Adobe Acrobat for PDF annotation?

For basic annotation — highlights, text notes, stamps, drawing tools — Okular handles it well at no cost. It’s not a full replacement for Acrobat Pro’s form creation, digital signature, or OCR features, but for everyday reading and annotating it’s more than capable.