Windscribe
Also called wind scribe, windscribe vpn
A consumer VPN with a usable free tier. The window is Windscribe.exe. It is not Proton VPN.
What you need to know
Windscribe.exe is a capped free-tier VPN. Proton VPN is another vendor.
Windscribe is a consumer VPN with a usable free cap. It is not Proton VPN, not Mozilla VPN, and not Tailscale. R.O.B.E.R.T. is their filter name, not AdGuard.
- What is it?
- VPN with a usable free data cap
- Same as Proton VPN?
- No. Different vendor and cap rules
- Same as Tailscale?
- No. Consumer VPN
What is Windscribe?
Windscribe is a consumer VPN with a free tier. Windscribe.exe is the Windows client. Proton VPN is a different free-tier vendor.
If you have never used it
If you want a VPN with a free data cap, Windscribe is that product, not Proton VPN. Download it from windscribe.com/download. Windscribe.exe is the Windows client. The free tier is limited gigabytes, not unlimited Proton-style servers. This is not Tailscale and not Mozilla VPN.
What is it used for?
A monthly data cap on free. Proton VPN's free tier is a different map and account.
Windscribe names its filter R.O.B.E.R.T. That is not uBlock Origin and not AdGuard desktop.
Paid Windscribe lifts the cap. That is still Windscribe.exe, not NordVPN.
Who is it for?
- People who want a free-tier VPN and already know the cap exists
- Users comparing Windscribe free with Proton VPN free
- Anyone who should not treat this as Tailscale
Current status
Actively developed. This article is the Windows VPN app.
How old is it?
Windscribe launched in 2016. The free tier is the reason people still search it. Current Windows builds are the desktop app, not only a browser extension.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per Windscribe download |
|---|---|
| RAM | Light client |
Resource profile
- CPU demand
- Tunnel encryption
- Network demand
- Capped on free, full on Pro
Installed processes
These executables belong to this product when it is installed.
| Windscribe.exe | Windscribe VPN client |
|---|
Startup components
Windscribe.exe can connect at logon from its settings.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files\Windscribe\ |
|---|
Common problems
Free cap looks like a broken tunnel
The app will refuse or throttle when the month is used. That is a plan limit.
R.O.B.E.R.T. blocking a site
Disable that Windscribe filter before you blame Windows Firewall.
Getting unstuck
Install from windscribe.com/download
protonvpn.com is the other free-tier vendor.
Check remaining data in the app
A silent cap is the usual "VPN died" story on free.
Disconnect other VPNs
Two clients fight over the default route.
Alternatives
Proton VPN for another free tier. Mullvad if you want a paid account-number VPN. Tailscale if you wanted a mesh.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | windscribe.com/download Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | windscribe.com/knowledge-base Vendor support |
| Official site | windscribe.com/ Start here, not a random exe host |
Related hardware
The client is light. Encryption uses CPU while connected.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- Windscribe official site · Vendor product page
- Windscribe help · Vendor support
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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