The IntelliJ download for Windows 11, Windows 10 and Mac comes free from JetBrains, and one installer now covers both the free IDE and the paid Ultimate features. Install it, write Java and Kotlin at no cost, and try Ultimate for 30 days if you want more.
This guide covers the right file for your machine, the standalone and Toolbox App installs, silent deployment, checksums, the zip build, updates, system requirements and fixes when IntelliJ IDEA will not install.
Which IntelliJ IDEA 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) | 1.11 GB |
| Windows 11 PC with a Snapdragon (ARM64) processor | Windows ARM64 installer (.exe) | 1.11 GB |
| Windows PC where you cannot run installers | Windows zip archive | 1.52 GB |
| Mac with Apple silicon (M-series chip) | Apple silicon disk image (.dmg) | 1.43 GB |
| Mac with an Intel processor | Intel Mac disk image (.dmg) | 1.47 GB |
| Linux x64 | Linux x64 archive (.tar.gz) | 1.51 GB |
Check your processor under Settings > System > About > System type: x64-based takes the first file, ARM-based the second.
Download IntelliJ IDEA from the official JetBrains links
Every link below points to jetbrains.com or its download server.
- IntelliJ IDEA download page — detects your system and offers Windows, macOS and Linux tabs
- IntelliJ IDEA for Windows x64 — 1.11 GB · full offline installer
- JetBrains Toolbox App — small manager that installs and updates JetBrains IDEs
- Previous IntelliJ IDEA versions — older releases, including the last Community Edition builds
The standalone installer holds the whole IDE, so setup runs offline.
How to install IntelliJ IDEA 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 IntelliJ IDEA 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 IntelliJ IDEA 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.
- Close the wizard, then open IntelliJ IDEA from the Start menu.
- Start working: the first launch grants a free 30-day Ultimate trial automatically, and the free features stay after it ends.
The IDE bundles JetBrains Runtime, so it starts without Java installed. Building Java apps still needs a JDK.
Install IntelliJ IDEA with the JetBrains Toolbox App
JetBrains recommends the Toolbox App, which keeps IntelliJ IDEA updated and can roll back a bad update. IntelliJ IDEA is not in the Microsoft Store.
- Open the Toolbox App page and download the .exe installer.
- Click the Toolbox icon in the notification area to open it.
- Select IntelliJ IDEA in the product list to install it.
- Log in to your JetBrains Account in the Toolbox App so any Ultimate subscription activates automatically.
- Launch IntelliJ IDEA from its entry in the Toolbox App.
On Linux, sudo snap install intellij-idea –classic installs it as a snap, though JetBrains points to the Toolbox App because of known snap issues.
Install IntelliJ IDEA silently on many PCs
JetBrains ships no MSI for IntelliJ IDEA. 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) | 1.11 GB | Windows x64 installer |
| Windows ARM64 installer (.exe) | 1.11 GB | Windows ARM64 installer |
| silent.config | Text file | Default options for a silent install |
Run: idea.exe /S /CONFIG=C:\temp\silent.config /LOG=C:\temp\install.log /D=C:\IDE\IntelliJ IDEA (use your installer’s file name).
/S hides the interface, /CONFIG loads the options and /LOG writes a log. /D sets the folder, must come last and takes no quotes. /NCRC skips the Verifying Installer popup.
The default config installs for the current user. Set mode=admin and run as administrator for all users, and test on one machine first.
How to verify the IntelliJ IDEA 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: cd6398bafe6202674676dcff0b0c7791cd55dbe7e3ce0a4e996cc68f6dc80f9a for the x64 installer.
- Open PowerShell in your Downloads folder.
- Run Get-FileHash .\idea-*.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 IntelliJ IDEA from the zip without installing it
The zip build suits PCs where you lack admin rights or want several copies side by side. It writes no Start menu entries and no file associations.
- Download the Windows zip archive (1.52 GB).
- Right-click the zip and select Extract All.
- Choose a folder you can write to, such as C:\Tools\IntelliJ IDEA , and select Extract.
- Open the extracted folder, then the bin folder.
- Double-click idea64.exe to start the IDE.
Which IntelliJ IDEA 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) | 1.43 GB |
| Processor: Intel Core | Intel Mac disk image (.dmg) | 1.47 GB |
| You want automatic updates | Toolbox App for Mac | Separate Intel and Apple silicon images |
Double-click the .dmg and drag IntelliJ IDEA into Applications. Version 2026.2 supports macOS 15 and macOS 26.
Is IntelliJ IDEA free?
Yes. IntelliJ IDEA is free to download and use, for personal and commercial work, with an optional paid Ultimate subscription. Core Java and Kotlin features, plus basic Spring and Jakarta EE support, a Spring Boot wizard and full SQL support since 2025.3, need no account or activation. Every install starts a 30-day Ultimate trial, and the IDE keeps its free features when it ends. Students and teachers can get Ultimate through JetBrains’ free programs. Cracked or pre-activated Ultimate builds are tampered software.
Click Trial in the top-right corner to see days left, and activate a licence under Help > Register.
Should you install unified IntelliJ IDEA or the old Community Edition?
Starting with version 2025.3, JetBrains merged IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition and IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate into one product. There is no separate Community download for current releases.
Install the current unified IntelliJ IDEA. Use the old Community Edition only if a policy blocks any product that can start a trial. Everything from Community Edition stays free in the unified IDE, which adds more free features and current fixes. The last standalone Community build, 2025.2.6.3 from July 29, 2026, stays on the previous versions page but gets no new features.
How to check your IntelliJ IDEA version and update it
Updates are usually small patches applied to your existing install. Only a restart is needed.
- Open IntelliJ IDEA and select Help > About on Windows, or IntelliJ IDEA > About IntelliJ IDEA on a Mac.
- Read the version and build number, and compare them with the spec table above.
- Select Help > Check for Updates on Windows, or IntelliJ IDEA > 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 IntelliJ IDEA system requirements before you download
JetBrains’ figures for IntelliJ IDEA 2026.2 on Windows, macOS and Linux.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Software | IntelliJ IDEA (unified; former Community and Ultimate editions) |
| Developer | JetBrains |
| Latest version | 2026.2.3 (build 262.10968.63), September 16, 2026 |
| Licence | Free core features; paid Ultimate subscription with 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 |
| Java | JetBrains Runtime bundled; a separate JDK is needed to build Java apps |
| File size | 1.11 GB (Windows x64 installer) |
| Offline installer | Yes, the standalone .exe, .dmg and .tar.gz files |
| Official source | jetbrains.com |
| Last verified | 2026-09-19 |
There is no 32-bit build.
Fix IntelliJ IDEA not installing or not opening on Windows 11 or 10
Setup says the installer is corrupted or stops at Verifying Installer
The download was cut short or damaged.
- Check the file size in Downloads: the Windows x64 installer is 1.11 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.
IntelliJ IDEA installs but does not open
Broken settings from an older version or a damaged install.
- Close any running idea64.exe process in Task Manager.
- Rename %APPDATA%\JetBrains\IntelliJIdea2026.2 to keep a backup of your settings.
- Start IntelliJ IDEA again to launch it with fresh settings.
How to uninstall IntelliJ IDEA completely
Uninstalling keeps your settings folders. Delete them too for a clean removal.
- Close IntelliJ IDEA.
- Press Windows + I and open Apps > Installed apps.
- Find IntelliJ IDEA, 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 IntelliJIdea2026.2 folder.
- Do the same in %LOCALAPPDATA%\JetBrains .
Toolbox App users select the settings icon next to IntelliJ IDEA 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 IntelliJ IDEA alternative should you pick?
IntelliJ IDEA targets Java and Kotlin. Pick another tool for lighter editing or other languages.
| Option | Cost | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Studio Code | Free | You want a lighter editor for many languages and add Java through extensions |
| PyCharm | Free core, paid Pro | Your main language is Python |
| JetBrains Toolbox App | Free | You use several JetBrains IDEs and want one place to install and update them |
Frequently asked questions
Is IntelliJ IDEA free to download?
Yes. IntelliJ IDEA is a free download from jetbrains.com, and its core features are free for personal and commercial use with no account needed. Each install includes a 30-day Ultimate trial, and the advanced Ultimate features need a paid subscription afterwards.
Where is the official IntelliJ IDEA download page?
The official page is jetbrains.com/idea/download. It offers Windows, macOS and Linux files, and older releases are on jetbrains.com/idea/download/other. The JetBrains Toolbox App is the other official way to install it.
Can I still download IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition?
Not as a current product. From version 2025.3, Community Edition and Ultimate became one IntelliJ IDEA, and all former Community features stay free. The last Community build, 2025.2.6.3, remains on the previous versions page.
Does IntelliJ IDEA work on Windows 11?
Yes. IntelliJ IDEA 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 IntelliJ IDEA download?
The Windows x64 installer is 1.11 GB, and the ARM64 installer is about the same. The Windows zip is 1.52 GB, and the Mac disk images are 1.43 GB for Apple silicon and 1.47 GB for Intel.
Is there an IntelliJ IDEA offline installer?
Yes. The standalone .exe from jetbrains.com contains the whole IDE, so setup runs without an internet connection once the file is downloaded. Admins can also run it silently with the /S switch.
Is there an IntelliJ IDEA download for Mac?
Yes. JetBrains offers separate disk images for Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Open the .dmg, drag IntelliJ IDEA to Applications and launch it. Version 2026.2 supports macOS 15 and macOS 26.
Is there a 32-bit or ARM64 version of IntelliJ IDEA?
There is no 32-bit version. JetBrains ships 64-bit builds only, with separate ARM64 installers for Windows on Arm and Linux, and an Apple silicon disk image for Macs.
Is IntelliJ IDEA safe to download?
Yes, when it comes from jetbrains.com or the JetBrains Toolbox App. Each download has a published SHA-256 checksum to compare against your file. Avoid cracked or pre-activated Ultimate builds from other sites.
What is the latest version of IntelliJ IDEA?
The latest release is IntelliJ IDEA 2026.2.3, build 262.10968.63, released on September 16, 2026. Existing installs update to it through Help, then Check for Updates, or through the Toolbox App.
Why won’t IntelliJ IDEA 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.
