Telegram Desktop
Version 7.0.9 · Telegram FZ-LLC · Windows 7 / 8 / 10 / 11 (32-bit and 64-bit) · ranked #194 in the library
A desktop messaging client that keeps full history synchronised across every device, moves very large files without the size ceilings other services impose, and runs as a native application rather than a browser page in a frame.
Read the installation section below before you start. The order of the steps matters on this release.
About this release
Overview
Telegram Desktop is the native client rather than a wrapped web page, which shows in memory use, startup time and how it behaves with a hundred conversations open. Message history lives on the service rather than on the device, so signing in on a new machine brings the complete archive with it immediately, including media, files and pinned messages. Nothing has to be exported from a phone and imported anywhere.
File handling is the practical differentiator for a lot of people. Very large files transfer without the size ceilings that most messaging services impose, uploads resume after an interruption rather than restarting, and anything sent stays retrievable from the conversation later rather than expiring. Combined with unlimited history search, this ends up being how a lot of teams move working files around without touching a shared drive.
The client covers the full feature set: group conversations at large scale, channels for one way broadcast, threaded discussion under posts, polls, scheduled and silent sending, message editing, folders for organising conversation lists, and a per-conversation notification model that is granular enough to actually be useful. Media viewing, document preview, sticker and animation support and an integrated search across every conversation are all built in.
What it does
Feature breakdown
Full history on every device
Conversations, media and files live on the service. Sign in anywhere and the complete archive is there without an export or transfer step.
Large file transfer
Send very large files without the ceilings other services impose. Transfers resume after interruption and remain downloadable from the conversation afterwards.
Search across everything
Full text search over every conversation and channel, filterable by sender, conversation and media type, returning results from years back instantly.
Folders and conversation organisation
Group conversations into custom folders with rules, so work, personal and muted high volume channels stay separated in the sidebar.
Granular notification control
Per-conversation sound, preview and priority settings, plus scheduled quiet hours and an exception list for the conversations that should always break through.
Native performance
A real desktop application rather than a browser frame. It starts quickly, stays responsive with large histories, and uses a fraction of the memory of a wrapped web client.
Changed in this build
Version 7.0.9
- Sidebar rebuilt with faster scrolling on accounts carrying thousands of conversations.
- Media viewer updated with smoother handling of very large images and long video files.
- Search results now group by conversation with an inline preview of the surrounding messages.
- Reduced memory footprint when many conversations have been opened in a single session.
- Interface scaling corrected on mixed density multi-monitor setups.
Installation
Follow these in order
- Extract the archive to any folder.
- Run the installer, or use the portable build included in the archive if you prefer no installation.
- Choose the interface language on first launch.
- Set the media cache size and location in advanced settings if disk space is limited.
- Adjust notification behaviour before joining high volume channels.
- Enable the local passcode in privacy settings if the machine is shared.
Release notes
From whoever packed it
- A portable build is included for running from a stick with settings stored alongside the executable.
- The media cache can grow large over time. Set a ceiling in advanced settings rather than clearing it manually.
- Hardware acceleration can be disabled in settings if video playback shows artefacts on older adapters.
System requirements
Minimum and recommended
| Operating system | Windows 7 SP1 or newer, 32-bit or 64-bit |
|---|---|
| Processor | Any processor supported by the host system |
| Memory | 2 GB minimum, 4 GB recommended with large histories |
| Graphics | Any adapter, hardware acceleration used where available for media playback |
| Storage | 500 MB plus whatever the local media cache grows to |
Questions about this release
Answered before you ask
- Does the desktop client need the phone running?
- No. Once signed in it works independently, and history comes from the service rather than from another device.
- Is there a file size limit?
- It is far higher than most messaging services. Very large files transfer without splitting them first.
- Can I run it without installing?
- Yes. The portable build in the archive keeps its data beside the executable.
Download
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