Gpg4win

You encrypt files and check digital signatures on Windows using GnuPG and Kleopatra.

Version 5.1.1 · Open source · Windows

Looking for an alternative to Gpg4win?Compare Picocrypt.Compare alternatives

Gpg4win bundles tools for OpenPGP on Windows. With Kleopatra, manage your keys and certificates and you can encrypt or sign files. A digital signature helps check whether data belongs to a particular key and is unchanged.

You have to trustfully check other people's public keys and protect your own private key. Email integration depends on the mail client and plug-in used. The classic Outlook environment is not the same as the new Outlook app.

Which software suits you?

Compare Gpg4win with alternatives

For encrypted sharing, you can use a shared password or work with public and private keys. Compare what the receiver needs to open the file and whether you also want to check a digital signature. Encrypting a file does not yet control secure sharing of the password.

Differences between Gpg4win and Picocrypt
Software	What can it do?	Platform and licence
Gpg4winYou are viewing this app	You encrypt and sign files with GnuPG and manage keys via Kleopatra. This is suitable for exchange with people using the same key standards.	WindowsOpen source
PicocryptView this alternative	You encrypt files with a password in a targeted interface. That requires less key management, but you have to share the password separately securely.	Windows, macOS, LinuxOpen source

Choose an alternative to explore its features, system requirements and download options.

Who is it for?

You want to exchange files with OpenPGP or check signed downloads.

Getting started

Install Gpg4win and open Kleopatra. Import or create a key and test first encrypt and decrypt a small file.

Privacy

You can encrypt files locally. Recipients and visible file or message metadata may fall outside the encrypted content.

Good to know

Mail integration differs by client and Outlook execution. Recipients need appropriate keys and software.

Please note

Check keyfingerprints via a reliable channel. Save a backup and withdrawal option for your own key.

Advantages

OpenPGP File Encryption Checking digital signatures Graphical Key Manager with Kleopatra

Things to consider

Key management requires attention Not every mail client is supported equally Lost private keys can make recovery impossible

Download Gpg4win

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Official download page

Provider’s website · www.gpg4win.org

Download Gpg4win

Version history

5.1.1 23 Sep 2026

You get recovery for encrypted email in Outlook and updated cryptographic components.

The classic Outlook add-in treats S/MIME messages better and does not crash because of the preview error described.
Closing an open encrypted MSG file will no longer unintentionally create a message in the Inbox.
GnuPG has been updated to 2.5.24. Switching between emails and processing of certain attachments has been improved.

5.1.0 29 Jul 2026

You can see more clearly what happens when decrypting, checking and importing certificates.

Gpg4win 5.1.0 improves the feedback in Kleopatra when decrypting and signature checking. The certificate import window has been modified and detailed tables get a copy button. Unneeded file path information has been deleted during verification.

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Our verdict

Gpg4win is especially useful when you want to exchange with someone who already uses OpenPGP, or when you need to check a digital signature. You get a graphical input into tools that will become technical quickly. This makes the actions more accessible, but does not take away the meaning of keys.

The weak spot could be trusting the wrong key. Therefore, first check who you are communicating with and which fingerprint is right. Practice with an insignificant file before encrypting sensitive data. For simple local shielding of one folder, another encryption tool can be easier; for OpenPGP exchange this package fits well.