ChatGPT's Windows app is now available to free-tier users – here's what it can do


Screenshot by Lance Whitney/ZDNET

OpenAI has expanded the reach of its ChatGPT Windows app. Launched a month ago just for subscribers, the app is now freely available to anyone with a ChatGPT account. That means you no longer have to head to the website to chat with your favorite AI.

Also: OpenAI is working on a AI agent that can do tasks for you

The free app is compatible with Windows 10 and 11. To grab it, browse OpenAI’s Download page and click the link for the Windows version under Desktop applications. That takes you to the Microsoft Store to download the program.

Run the downloaded ChatGPT Installer.exe file. After the installation, you’ll be prompted to sign up or log in with a ChatGPT account. I tried it once with my subscriber account and again with a free-tier account, and the program launched just fine both ways.

What will you find in the Windows app? It’s similar to the website. You can ask questions, submit requests, and generate content. You’re able to ask the AI to create images, analyze uploaded files, summarize text, access custom GPTs, and much more.

Also: I’m a ChatGPT power user – and this is still my favorite productivity feature a month later

Paid subscribers can use voice mode to carry on a natural, back-and-forth conversation with ChatGPT. As an introductory bonus though, free users can tap into voice mode for a short period of time each month. The app also syncs with your overall ChatGPT activity, so you can continue a conversation or view a past chat from the desktop app, mobile app, or website.

Another cool feature of the Windows app is the ability to use keyboard shortcuts. In the app, click the question mark icon in the lower right and select Keyboard shortcuts. You’ll find a host of shortcuts for performing actions, such as opening a new chat, copying the last response, toggling the sidebar, and deleting a chat.

Also: How to subscribe to ChatGPT Plus (and 7 reasons why you should)

Like any Windows app, you can add the ChatGPT program to your desktop or Taskbar for quick access. That makes it more convenient than having to browse the website whenever a question pops into your head.

The ChatGPT app for MacOS isn’t standing still, either. The Mac version will now work with apps on your desktop. Courtesy of a new beta version of the app, ChatGPT Plus and Team users can even tell the AI to look at the content in coding apps to help them in their work.





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