These competing apps do not require the mobile version to be running on your phone. Compared to similar solutions like Viber or Telegram, it is a very basic app and lacks many features offered by competing apps in their Desktop versions. So, if you are a Windows 7 user, you can get WhatsApp working with very minor limitations.

Toast notifications which are available only in Windows 8 and Windows 10 will not work obviously but this is not a big deal, because toast notifications show anyone looking at your screen all the WhatsApp messages that you receive, violating your privacy. When someone messages you, it draws a red overlay icon on its Taskbar button indicating unread messages just like Skype for Desktop does. Also, it does not support voice calls yet.īy using it briefly I found it perfectly usable in Windows 7. The app requires you to keep mobile WhatsApp running on your phone, exactly like the Web version does.

Once this is done, you can start chatting directly.

The Desktop version is only a wrapper for the web version.

On your phone, open its menu by pressing the button with 3 dots and select WhatsApp web to scan the QR code on your computer screen using the phone's camera.

It shows a QR code, which you need to read using the mobile WhatsApp app.

After a few seconds, WhatsApp's shortcut will appear directly on the Desktop and in the Start Menu, and the app will open:

Double click it to run and install the app.

Point your browser to this page and download the installer for Windows 10 and Windows 8.

The installer of WhatsApp for Desktop as of this writing doesn't check the operating system version and can be launched in Windows 7 too.

Whatsapp desktop windows 11