Installing Blender

Blender is a remarkable 3D software that stands out not only for its capabilities but also because it is free and open-source. This accessibility allows anyone to easily edit and modify Blender, contributing to its impressive development on a global scale.

Blender works on Windows, macOS, and Linux – Once you’re on the homepage make sure to download the version matching your operating system.

Is Blender Free to Install? #

Blender is absolutely free to install and it has been for over 30 years! So not only is Blender free, but it is also a solid bit of software that has been around for a very long time, supporting the fact that it is not going anywhere and will be constantly updated. Blender

Blender has also confirmed that it has and never will be a paid software, which is very rare for any bit of software, especially for one of this age!

Where is the Best Place to Download Blender? #

It is always recommended to download Blender directly from https://www.blender.org – or you can also download it through Steam https://store.steampowered.com/app/365670/Blender/

Blender homepage #

Here we can see the Blender homepage – there is usually a download button directly on the homepage which will take you to the most recent stable version of blender that you should use.

Download and install blender from Steam #

A new addition to Blender is the ability for users to download and install blender through Steam! This will ensure blender is always updated. If you are familiar with Steam then installing blender through Steam will definitely make the process familiar with you!

How to Download and Install Blender Software #

If you want to install the file fresh and onto your computer then you want to follow these steps

To download Blender from https://www.blender.org please do the following

1. Go to the homepage and find the download button
   
2. Next you can see the download page which is letting you download the latest Blender Installer
   
3. Click the download button and wait for the installer to finish downloading
   
4. Once downloaded, simply double click this file on Windows and you’ll be taken to an installation wizard. You may need to have administrator rights to install correctly.
   
   
5. This is the installation wizard. All you need to do is follow the steps and do a fresh default install and then you will be able to see it on your computer

Install from Zip #

Not only can you install using the installer which has the wizard mentioned above, but you can also install a portable version of Blender. This offers portability! This means you can run Blender directly from the extracted folder without going through a formal installation process. This approach allows you to move the Blender folder to any location on your computer or even to external drives, enabling you to use Blender on different computers without needing to reinstall it each time

1. To download the .zip version of Blender, click again on the download button from the homagepage to get to this page
   
2. Instead of clicking the main download button, click the drop-down menu and choose the Portable.zip file. This will initiate the download
   
3. Once it has downloaded, unzip the folder and inside you’ll get a Blender executable file.
   
4. To start blender, simply click this executable file and Blender will start without needing installation.
   
5. As a tip, it is recommended to save these extracted file somewhere safe, not just your downloaded folder.
   
   
   
   

How do you install other versions of Blender? #

Downloading another version of Blender can offer several benefits, including access to new features, improved performance, and bug fixes not present in older versions. It allows users to experiment with the latest tools and enhancements that can streamline workflows and expand creative possibilities. Additionally, if newer versions introduce compatibility issues or if certain plugins haven’t been updated yet, having access to an older, stable version ensures continued productivity. This flexibility can be crucial for professionals managing projects with specific requirements or individuals keen on exploring cutting-edge developments in 3D modeling and animation.

1. To install another version of Blender, head over to to this webpage https://www.blender.org/download/releases/
   
2. From here, you can see all the latest releases from Blender. You can simply find the one that you want, and install it.
   
   
3. From here under Builds, you can also see experimental builds which test new features. So if you see a tutorial which is using a feature that your Blender does not have, there is a good chance they are using an experimental build. https://builder.blender.org/download/daily/
   
   

Updating from Windows Installer File #

If you already have Blender installed but you want to install the latest version, then it is very easy to update.

1. You simply need to download the latest version of Blender from the homepage and start the installation wizard.
   
2. From there, you will get asked what you want to do. This will range from updating the current version, to repairing your current version if something is broken, or actually uninstalling Blender!
   
   
3. Once you have followed the wizard, it will do exactly what you need
   
   
   

How Do I Run Blender After Downloading? #

To run Blender after downloading and installing, all you need to do is locate the executable file on your operating system.
On windows you simply need to go to the search bar and type Blender and it will be displayed. Or you can find it on the homepage if you checked the box to say you want it installed on the desktop.

Why Can’t I Install Blender? #

There are several reasons why installing Blender may fail on your computer.

1. System Requirements:
   OS: Windows 8.1 (64-bit) Recommmended: Windows 10 or Windows 11
   CPU 4 cores with SSE 4.2 support Recommended: 8 cores
   RAM 8 GB Recommended: 32 GB
   GPU 2 GB VRAM with OpenGL 4.3 (see below) Recommended 8 GB VRAM
   
2. Corrupted Download: The Blender installer file might have been corrupted during download. Try downloading the file again from the official Blender website.
   
3. Insufficient User Privileges: Installing software usually requires administrative rights. Make sure you’re running the installer as an administrator or have the necessary permissions.
   
4. Antivirus or Firewall Interference: Sometimes, security software mistakenly identifies legitimate software as malicious, blocking the installation. Check your antivirus or firewall settings and temporarily disable them during the installation process (remember to enable them afterward).
   
5. Outdated Graphics Drivers: Blender relies heavily on graphics hardware. Ensure your graphics drivers are up to date to avoid compatibility issues.
   
6. Operating System Issues: If your operating system is outdated or not properly configured, it might cause installation issues. Make sure your OS is up to date and consider running a system file check for any errors.
   
7. Disk Space: Verify that you have enough free disk space on your installation drive. Insufficient space can halt the installation process.
   
8. Previous Blender Installations: If you have an older version of Blender installed, it might conflict with the new installation. Consider uninstalling the older version before installing the new one.

Can I Use Blender Without Installing? #

As mentioned above, yes you can run blender without installing. To do this you need to download the portable .zip version of Blender which is mentioned above. You can then use this downloaded version anywhere you like and on any PC with the same operating system.

How Long Does It Take to Install Blender?

In general this can be done in about 10minutes from start to finish

Conclusion #

Blender has done an incredible job at making the software approachable to brand new users. So finding, downloading and installing Blender is usually a breeze if you are familiar with installing software on your operating system.