The CLion download for Windows 11, Windows 10 and Mac comes straight from JetBrains, and one installer covers every licence. Use it free for learning, hobby projects and open source, or start a 30-day trial for paid work.
This guide covers the right file for your machine, the standalone and Toolbox App installs, compiler setup, silent deployment, checksums, updates, system requirements and fixes when CLion will not install.
Which CLion download do you need?
Match your machine to a row and grab that file.
| Your machine | Download | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 or 10 PC with an Intel or AMD processor | Windows x64 installer (.exe) | 1.62 GB |
| Windows 11 PC with a Snapdragon (ARM64) processor | Windows ARM64 installer (.exe) | 1.88 GB |
| Windows PC where you cannot run installers | Windows zip archive | 2.21 GB |
| Mac with Apple silicon (M-series chip) | Apple silicon disk image (.dmg) | 1.64 GB |
| Mac with an Intel processor | Intel Mac disk image (.dmg) | 1.66 GB |
| Linux x64 | Linux x64 archive (.tar.gz) | 1.75 GB |
Check your processor under Settings > System > About > System type: x64-based takes the first file, ARM-based the second.
Download CLion from the official JetBrains links
Every link below points to jetbrains.com or its download server.
- CLion download page — offers Windows, macOS and Linux tabs
- CLion for Windows x64 — 1.62 GB · full offline installer
- JetBrains Toolbox App — small manager that installs and updates JetBrains IDEs
- Previous CLion versions — older releases for projects pinned to a version
The standalone installer holds the whole IDE plus a MinGW toolchain, so setup runs offline.
How to install CLion on Windows 11 and 10
The standalone installer lets you pick the install folder and the shell integrations yourself.
- Download the Windows installer from the CLion download page, or the ARM64 file on an ARM PC.
- Double-click the installer and select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
- Keep the default install folder or choose another one, then select Next.
- On the Installation Options step, choose whether to create a desktop shortcut.
- Tick the PATH option to run CLion launchers from Command Prompt.
- Tick Open Folder as Project to add it to right-click menus, and pick any file associations.
- Continue through the wizard and wait for the files to copy.
- Open CLion from the Start menu.
- Pick a licence on the first launch: the free non-commercial option, the 30-day trial or a paid subscription.
The free non-commercial licence needs a JetBrains Account and an internet connection to activate. The trial starts without one.
Install CLion with the JetBrains Toolbox App
JetBrains recommends the Toolbox App, which keeps CLion updated and can roll back a bad update. CLion is not in the Microsoft Store.
- Open the Toolbox App page and download the installer for your system.
- Run the installer, then click the Toolbox icon in the notification area to open it.
- Select CLion in the product list to install it.
- Log in to your JetBrains Account in the Toolbox App so your licence activates automatically.
- Launch CLion from its entry in the Toolbox App.
On Linux, sudo snap install clion –classic installs CLion as a snap package.
Which C and C++ compilers work with CLion on your system?
CLion edits, builds and debugs code, but the compiler comes from a toolchain. Windows gets one in the box; Mac and Linux need one installed first.
| System | Toolchain | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 or 10 | Bundled MinGW-w64 13.1 with GDB 17.1 | Nothing: CLion detects it on first launch |
| Windows with Visual Studio | MSVC from Visual Studio 2017, 2019 or 2022, or clang-cl 8.0+ | Install Visual Studio with the C++ workload |
| Windows with WSL | Linux compilers and CMake inside WSL | Add a WSL toolchain in CLion settings |
| macOS | Apple Clang from Xcode or the Command Line Tools | Run xcode-select --install in Terminal |
| Linux | GCC/G++ or Clang | Install them from your distribution’s package manager |
Change or add toolchains under Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Toolchains.
Install CLion silently on many PCs
JetBrains ships no MSI for CLion. The regular .exe installer accepts silent switches, which is how admins roll it out. Get both files below into one folder.
| File | Size | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Windows x64 installer (.exe) | 1.62 GB | Windows x64 installer |
| Windows ARM64 installer (.exe) | 1.88 GB | Windows ARM64 installer |
| silent.config | Text file | Default options for a silent install |
Run: CLion-2026.2.3.exe /S /CONFIG=C:\temp\silent.config /D=C:\IDE\CLion from an elevated Command Prompt.
/S hides the interface and /CONFIG loads the options. /D sets the folder, must come last and takes no quotes. Test on one machine before a wide rollout.
How to verify the CLion installer
JetBrains publishes a SHA-256 file next to every download. Compare it with the hash of your copy before you run setup.
- Open the checksum file for the Windows x64 installer. Other builds add .sha256 to their download link.
- Note the hash: 7e7da34c321ae624ac3ebefac87558533cc95627a80d6395f29f8126d0be677a for the x64 installer.
- Open PowerShell in your Downloads folder.
- Run Get-FileHash .\CLion-*.exe -Algorithm SHA256 .
- Compare the Hash value with the published one. PowerShell prints it in capitals, which does not matter.
- Delete the file and download it again if the two values differ.
Run CLion from the zip without installing it
The zip build suits PCs where you lack admin rights or want two versions side by side. It adds no Start menu entries and no file associations.
- Download the Windows zip archive (2.21 GB).
- Right-click the zip and select Extract All.
- Choose a folder you can write to, such as C:\Tools\CLion , and select Extract.
- Open the extracted folder, then the bin folder.
- Double-click clion64.exe to start the IDE.
Which CLion download do you need for your Mac?
Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac to see your chip.
| Your Mac says | Download | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Chip: Apple M1 or any later M-series chip | Apple silicon disk image (.dmg) | 1.64 GB |
| Processor: Intel Core | Intel Mac disk image (.dmg) | 1.66 GB |
| You want automatic updates | Toolbox App for Mac | Installs the right build for your chip |
Double-click the .dmg and drag CLion into Applications. Version 2026.2 supports macOS 15 and macOS 26, and needs Xcode or its Command Line Tools for compiling.
Is CLion free?
Yes for non-commercial use. CLion is free for learning, hobby projects, content creation and open source work that earns no commercial benefit. Commercial work needs a paid subscription, which you can try free for 30 days. The free non-commercial licence has been available since May 2025 and needs CLion 2025.1.1 or later. It requires a JetBrains Account, sends anonymous usage statistics with no opt-out, and renews each year if you used the IDE in the last six months. If you are paid for the code or build a product for commercial benefit, buy a subscription. Students and teachers can apply for JetBrains’ free education licences.
Compare plans on the CLion buy page, and switch licences later under Help > Register. Cracked or pre-activated builds from other sites are tampered software.
How to check your CLion version and update it
Updates are usually small patches applied to your existing install. Only a restart is needed.
- Open CLion and select Help > About on Windows, or CLion > About CLion on a Mac.
- Read the version and build number, and compare them with the spec table below.
- Select Help > Check for Updates on Windows, or CLion > Check for Updates on a Mac.
- Choose to update the current instance when a new version is offered, then restart the IDE.
- To change the update channel, press Ctrl+Alt+S and open Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Updates.
- Keep Stable Releases selected unless you want beta or Early Access builds.
Check the CLion system requirements before you download
JetBrains’ figures for CLion 2026.2 on Windows, macOS and Linux.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Software | CLion, cross-platform IDE for C and C++ |
| Developer | JetBrains |
| Latest version | 2026.2.3 (build 262.10968.117), September 22, 2026 |
| Licence | Free for non-commercial use; paid subscription for commercial use, 30-day trial |
| Windows | Windows 10 and Windows 11, 64-bit |
| macOS | macOS 15 and macOS 26 |
| Linux | Ubuntu 24.04 and 26.04 LTS, Fedora 43 and 44, Debian 13, Amazon Linux 2023 |
| Architecture | x64 and ARM64 on Windows and Linux; Intel and Apple silicon on Mac |
| Processor | x86_64 or arm64 CPU with 4 cores |
| Memory | 8 GB total RAM, with 3 GB free for the IDE |
| Disk space | 10 GB |
| Display | 1280 x 720 minimum |
| File size | 1.62 GB (Windows x64 installer) |
| Offline installer | Yes, the standalone .exe, .dmg and .tar.gz files |
| Official source | jetbrains.com |
| Last verified | 2026-09-24 |
There is no 32-bit build.
Fix CLion not installing or not opening on Windows 11 or 10
Setup says the installer is corrupted or stops partway
The download was cut short or damaged.
- Check the file size in Downloads: the Windows x64 installer is 1.62 GB.
- Compare its SHA-256 hash with the published .sha256 file.
- Download it again from jetbrains.com if either check fails.
The installer will not run on a Windows ARM laptop, or runs slowly
The x64 installer was used on an ARM64 PC.
- Open Settings > System > About and check System type.
- Uninstall the x64 copy if it installed.
- Download and run the Windows ARM64 installer instead.
CLion opens but says no compiler or toolchain was found
The toolchain is missing or points to a removed compiler.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+S and open Build, Execution, Deployment > Toolchains.
- Select the bundled MinGW entry, or add Visual Studio if you build with MSVC.
- Wait for the checks next to each tool to turn green, then reload the CMake project.
CLion installs but does not open
Broken settings from an older version or a damaged install.
- Close any running clion64.exe process in Task Manager.
- Rename %APPDATA%\JetBrains\CLion2026.2 to keep a backup of your settings.
- Start CLion again to launch it with fresh settings.
How to uninstall CLion completely
Uninstalling keeps your settings folders. Delete them too for a clean removal.
- Close CLion.
- Press Windows + I and open Apps > Installed apps.
- Find CLion, select the three dots next to it and select Uninstall.
- Confirm, and follow the uninstaller’s prompts.
- Press Windows + R, type %APPDATA%\JetBrains and delete the CLion2026.2 folder.
- Do the same in %LOCALAPPDATA%\JetBrains .
Toolbox App users select the settings icon next to CLion and choose Uninstall. Admins can run bin\uninstall.exe /S as administrator for a silent removal.
On a Mac, drag the app to the Trash, then delete its folders under ~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains and ~/Library/Caches/JetBrains .
Which CLion alternative should you pick?
CLion targets C and C++ projects built with CMake and similar systems. Commercial users on a budget have free options.
| Option | Cost | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio Community | Free for individuals and small teams | You build Windows C++ apps with MSVC and do not need Mac or Linux |
| Visual Studio Code | Free | You want a lighter editor and add C++ support through extensions |
| JetBrains Toolbox App | Free | You use several JetBrains IDEs and want one place to install and update them |
Frequently asked questions
Is CLion free to download?
Yes. CLion is a free download from jetbrains.com, and it is free to use for non-commercial work such as learning, hobby projects and open source. Commercial use needs a paid subscription, with a 30-day free trial first.
How do I get the free CLion licence?
Install CLion 2025.1.1 or later, choose the non-commercial option on first launch and log in with a JetBrains Account. The licence lasts a year and renews if you used CLion in the last six months.
Where is the official CLion download page?
The official page is jetbrains.com/clion/download. It offers Windows, macOS and Linux files, and older releases are on jetbrains.com/clion/download/other. The JetBrains Toolbox App is the other official way to install it.
Does CLion work on Windows 11?
Yes. CLion 2026.2 supports 64-bit Windows 11 and Windows 10, on x64 and ARM64 processors. It needs a 4-core CPU, 8 GB of RAM and 10 GB of disk space.
How big is the CLion download?
The Windows x64 installer is 1.62 GB and the ARM64 installer is 1.88 GB. The Windows zip is 2.21 GB, and the Mac disk images are 1.64 GB for Apple silicon and 1.66 GB for Intel.
Does CLion include a compiler?
On Windows, yes. CLion bundles MinGW-w64 with GDB, and it also works with Visual Studio’s MSVC and WSL. On a Mac, install Xcode or its Command Line Tools, and on Linux, install GCC or Clang.
Is there a CLion download for Mac?
Yes. JetBrains offers separate disk images for Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Open the .dmg, drag CLion to Applications and launch it. Version 2026.2 supports macOS 15 and macOS 26.
What is the latest version of CLion?
The latest release is CLion 2026.2.3, build 262.10968.117, released on September 22, 2026. Existing installs update to it through Help, then Check for Updates, or through the Toolbox App.
Why won’t CLion install on my PC?
The usual causes are a damaged download, the x64 installer on an ARM64 PC, or a folder that needs admin rights. Check the file size and checksum, match the installer to your processor, and run setup as administrator.
