Telegram Desktop 7.2.9 for Windows

Telegram Desktop 7.2.9 for Windows is the official desktop client of the Telegram instant messaging service, and you can download it free from telegram.org. Version 7.2.9 was released on 17 September 2026. Your chats live in Telegram's cloud, so the PC shows the same conversations as your phone the moment you log in.

Who Telegram Desktop is for

Telegram was launched on 14 August 2013 by Pavel and Nikolai Durov, and its desktop app has always been one of its strong points. It suits several kinds of users. People who work at a computer all day get a messenger that feels like a native program rather than a mirror of the phone, because it keeps working even when the phone is switched off. Channel owners and group admins can write long posts, schedule messages and moderate discussions with a keyboard. Teams and study groups share large files and folders without email attachments. And readers who follow news channels find it more comfortable to scroll them on a wide screen. If you only exchange a few messages a day, the phone app alone will probably do.

Program details

How to install

1. Open desktop.telegram.org and download the Windows installer, or get Telegram from the Microsoft Store.
2. Run the installer and launch the app.
3. Choose to log in with a QR code and scan it from Telegram on your phone, or enter your phone number.
4. Confirm with the code Telegram sends to your existing session.

Every release is described in the official version history, and the source code is available on GitHub.

Is it safe?

Download Telegram only from telegram.org, its desktop page or the Microsoft Store. Unofficial builds can capture your session and read your messages. Set a local passcode on a shared PC, enable two-step verification in the privacy settings, and review active sessions if you log in on many devices.

Price

Telegram Desktop is free. An optional paid subscription adds extras, but chats, groups, channels and file sharing work without it.

Pros and cons

• Pro: works independently of the phone once logged in.
• Pro: fast, light client that handles large chats well.
• Con: regular chats are stored in the cloud rather than only on your devices.
• Con: busy channels and groups can be distracting.

Alternatives

WhatsApp, Signal and Viber are messengers with Windows apps in the same category, and Discord suits communities that prefer voice channels. If you need Telegram without installing it, Telegram Web runs in the browser at web.telegram.org.