A popular messaging app used as a free alternative to SMS messages.

WhatsApp for PC is the desktop version of the popular instant messaging application owned by Facebook. It's more often than not used on mobile platforms such as Android and iOS but WhatsApp has developed a version for Windows which can synchronize with your mobile phone.

Getting started with this chat client is quite simple. Get the application up and running by scanning a QR code from your screen on your phone and you'll then be authorized to use WhatsApp for PC connected to your cell phone number. The main interface will then be populated with your contacts and chat history.

To get the QR code and connect to your PC, click the settings icons in WhatsApp and select ---- WhatsApp Web. This will allow you to scan the QR code that the Windows client is displaying.

With the PC version of WhatsApp, you've got access to all of your contacts that you would normally chat with on the mobile application directly from your desktop. This version integrates many of the mobile features which make the transition between desktop and phone pretty seamless.

As with the mobile version, when you run WhatsApp on a Windows system, you're able to send video and audio clips the same way you're used to. Getting online and sending these to friends is simple. Just select the contact, open the chat window and click the attachment icon. From here, you can select between camera, photos and videos.

The program can also send the emoticons and emojis that we've become accustomed to but does not currently support stickers.

You used to be able to make video calls with WhatsApp on the PC but Facebook has migrated this and forced users to continue with these functions by using Facebook's messenger application. Certainly not useful for people who don't care to use Facebook. What a let down.

One feature that hasn't been removed from the desktop client is the ability to partake in group chats. It's a feature which allows people to create virtual chat rooms with up to 250 members. These can be useful for business, general interest, family groups and just friends planning a night out.

You can use the group chat to create a video or audio call on your mobile device for up to 50 people but once again, this has been limited by Facebook on the Windows version.

All in all, the WhatsApp Windows client can be quite useful for communication with your contacts on a Windows desktop and it does make it a lot easier to reply to messages with a full keyboard instead of a touch screen.

WhatsApp for PC is provided under a freeware license on Windows from instant messaging software with no restrictions on usage. Download and installation of this PC software is free and 2.2435.4.0 is the latest version last time we checked.

Yes. It can run on a PC with Windows 11 or Windows 10. Previous versions of the OS shouldn't be a problem with Windows 8 and Windows 7 having been tested. It comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit downloads.

Other operating systems: The latest WhatsApp for PC version from 2024 is also available for Android, Mac and iPhone. These are often available from the app store.