DuckDuckGo’s Privacy Focused Web Browser Is Finally Available for Windows

Though it needs more time to match up with the other versions

By
Rob Rich
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Rob Rich
News Reporter
  • College for Creative Studies
Rob is a freelance tech reporter with experience writing for a variety of outlets, including IGN, Unwinnable, 148Apps, Gamezebo, Pocket Gamer, Fanbolt, Zam, and more.
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Published on June 22, 2023 01:02PM EDT
Fact checked by
Jerri Ledford
Jerri Ledford
Fact checked by Jerri Ledford
  • Western Kentucky University
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Jerri L. Ledford has been writing, editing, and fact-checking tech stories since 1994. Her work has appeared in Computerworld, PC Magazine, Information Today, and many others.
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Now, even if you use Windows you can have a browser that helps keep your private information... well, private.

DuckDuckGo's privacy-focused desktop web browser is no longer a Mac exclusive.

While DuckDuckGo may have started as a search engine specializing in privacy protection, it's since expanded with its own Mac web browser—which also touts extensive privacy protections. Now Windows users can also give it a spin, with the company opening up a public beta today.

Web browser address bar with security lock icon

Jirsak / Getty Images

This Windows iteration shares many features with the Mac, iOS, and Android versions of the DuckDuckGo browser—such as tracker blocking (turned on by default) and ad blocking. The browser also includes its own password manager, plus YouTube video viewer "Duck Player," which blocks ads and ad tracking and prevents watched videos from affecting your recommendations.

Windows users (as well as other platforms) can also look forward to what DuckDuckGo refers to as "Cookie Pop-up Management," with the browser auto-selecting the least invasive options for you.

Windows browser cookie manager

DuckDuckGo

Email protection is also available if you want it, with DuckDuckGo providing a special "@duck.com" address to use as a proxy when signing up for websites and the like. A "Fire Button" is also included, which will quickly delete all of your recent browsing data—though sites you'd prefer to stay logged into can be marked as "fireproof."

The public beta for DuckDuckGo's Windows 10 (and later) desktop browser is open now and available as a free download. While this version doesn't quite match its Mac counterpart, DuckDuckGo is working on bringing it up to speed with bookmark syncing and private password functionality "coming soon."

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