Arbore for Windows is a free, open-source desktop app for sharing files and short posts with people you already know. It is built on top of IPFS, the InterPlanetary File System, and suits small private circles such as families, friends or hobby groups rather than public audiences.
Before you install it, know that the project has had no code updates since January 2019, and the latest version listed is v0.3.2. Treat it as an experimental or historical tool rather than a daily-use product, and read the safety section before running the installer. The sections below explain what it does, how to set it up, and how it compares with other tools.
What Is Arbore and Who Is It For
Arbore is a desktop application for sharing files and short posts with people you already know. Its design is friend-to-friend, which means the network is built around contacts rather than strangers. You add people you trust, follow their public shares, and decide which groups they belong to.
The app suits a few kinds of users. A family that wants a private place to swap photos, a study group sharing notes, or a hobby circle distributing files might find the model appealing. Developers and curious users may also enjoy seeing how a peer-to-peer file system can power a social app. People who only need a place to keep documents may prefer a simpler service.
Because it is built with Electron, Arbore runs as a normal Windows program. Its open-source code can be read by anyone, which many people find reassuring when a tool handles their personal files.
How Friend-to-Friend Sharing Works on IPFS
IPFS, the InterPlanetary File System, identifies files by their content rather than by the location of a server. When a file is shared, its content receives a unique address, and any peer that holds the same content can serve it. Arbore uses this foundation to move files between contacts without a single central host controlling access.
Friend-to-friend networks add a social layer. Instead of joining an open pool of strangers, you connect with people you already trust. Trust limits who can reach you, although it does not remove abuse entirely, which is why contact blocking is part of the app.
A practical consequence is availability. Content can be fetched only while some peer holds it online, so a file may become unavailable when everyone who has it goes offline. Contacts who keep your profile files online reduce that risk for your identity, though they cannot guarantee that every file stays reachable.
Where Decentralized Storage Fits in Everyday File Sharing
Decentralized storage spreads data across many machines instead of one company's data center. The benefits include resilience and less dependence on a single provider. The trade-offs include variable speed and less predictable availability, since files depend on peers being online.
Arbore sits at the social end of this category. It cares less about bulk backups and more about exchanging things with a circle of people. Consider three scenarios. A photographer shares a folder of event pictures with clients who already follow each other. A family keeps a shared archive of scanned documents and recipes. A small club distributes training videos among members and organizes them into contact groups.
When evaluating any tool in this category, ask three questions: who hosts the data, what happens when peers go offline, and whether the software still receives updates. Arbore gives a clear answer to the third question, since it has not received code updates since 2019. That answer should shape how you use it, especially for anything you cannot afford to lose.
Key features
Public Sharing and Contact Following
Contact Blocking
Contact Groups
Contact Management Through Mitigation
Profile Migration With Contact Notification
On-Demand Custom App Packaging
Download Status Tracking
Reception Confirmation
Re-Sharing Content
How to install Arbore on Windows
- 1
Find the Windows build
Open the official Arbore project page or its GitHub Releases page and locate the latest version, v0.3.2. Choose the Windows build or installer. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and avoid mirror sites that repackage the file.
- 2
Verify the download
If the release page lists a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, compute the file's hash in PowerShell with Get-FileHash and compare the result with the published value. If the values do not match, delete the file and do not run it.
- 3
Run the installer
Double-click the installer and follow the on-screen prompts. If Windows SmartScreen shows a warning, read it carefully and confirm that the file is the same one you verified. Keep your antivirus protection turned on during installation.
-
Launch and set up your profile
Open Arbore from the Start menu and set up your profile. Add a trusted contact first and test sharing a small, non-sensitive file before you use the app for anything important.
How to use Arbore
Arbore is organized around contacts rather than a single shared folder, so the basic workflow is to set up your identity, connect with people, and then share. A typical session looks like this:
- Open Arbore and confirm your profile details.
- Add a contact by exchanging identifiers with someone you trust.
- Place the contact into a group, such as family, a study team or a hobby club.
- Publish a public post or share a file, adding a short description so recipients know what it is.
- Watch download status for incoming files in the places where the feature is available.
- Confirm reception when you receive content, and re-share items you want your other contacts to see.
- Block any contact who abuses the network, and review your contact list regularly.
Start with a small group and a few test files. This shows you how long downloads take in your network and whether your contacts are online often enough for your needs.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the GPL-3.0 license, so the code can be inspected
- Friend-to-friend design focuses sharing on people you already know
- Built on IPFS, a peer-to-peer file system
- Public sharing, contact following, groups and blocking are combined in one app
- Windows build or installer is available
- Profile migration includes notification of contacts
- No code updates since 2019, so newly discovered bugs and security issues are unlikely to be fixed
- The latest version listed is v0.3.2, with no newer releases
- Download status tracking works only when the underlying data makes it available
- Some ideas, such as Markdown in shared descriptions and slideshow-style visualization of pictures, appear as proposals rather than finished functions
- Availability depends on peers staying online, which can make some files slow or unreachable
Is Arbore safe?
Arbore has had no code updates since 2019, so it has not received security fixes for years. Use it with caution, and avoid sending sensitive or irreplaceable files through it. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the installer. Keep Windows Defender or another antivirus tool active. Never enter a seed phrase, password or wallet credentials on any website or in any message that claims to be Arbore support. Before installing, check the latest version on the official website, because a newer release may exist.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/MichaelMure/Arbore. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Arbore differs from the other tools in this catalog mainly by focus. IPFS Desktop and Kubo run IPFS nodes, so they are about joining the network and serving content rather than running a social file-sharing app. Peergos is described as end-to-end encrypted, peer-to-peer file storage and sharing, which makes it a closer match if encrypted storage is your priority. ZeroNet publishes decentralized websites, and Storj provides a distributed cloud storage network.
Arbore's distinct strength is its contact-based feed with groups and blocking. Its development has stopped, however, so an actively maintained option may suit everyday use better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- gpl-3.0
- Latest version
- v0.3.2
- Last update
- 9 Jan 2019
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/MichaelMure/Arbore
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Arbore is free and open source, published under the GNU General Public License version 3.0 (GPL-3.0). That license lets you inspect, modify and redistribute the code under its terms. The Windows build or installer does not require payment to use.
No. The project has had no code updates since January 2019, and the latest version listed is v0.3.2. You should not expect bug fixes or security patches. Use it for testing or learning, and compare it with actively maintained tools before relying on it for important files.
It can be installed with reasonable precautions, but the main concern is the lack of updates since 2019. Follow the installation steps on this page, verify the file before running it, and keep your antivirus active. Any security issue found after 2019 will not be patched, so avoid sensitive data.
Arbore is a friend-to-friend file-sharing app built on IPFS. People use it to share files and posts with contacts they know, follow others in a timeline-style feed, and organize contacts into groups. It is most useful for small circles such as family, friends or a hobby group.
Cloud storage keeps your files on a provider's servers under a single account system. Arbore distributes content across the IPFS network and connects people through a contact network instead. The trade-off is that availability depends on peers and the network, not on a guaranteed service level.
Yes. Contact blocking is a built-in feature meant for handling abuse. If a contact behaves badly or shares unwanted material, you can block them from your network. Review your contact list periodically so that your groups stay accurate and manageable.
Consider IPFS Desktop for running an IPFS node from the system tray, Kubo for the reference IPFS node, or Peergos for end-to-end encrypted storage and sharing. Choose based on whether you want a social file-sharing app or a more general storage tool. The comparison section above describes the differences.
Verdict
Arbore for Windows is an interesting, free and open-source example of friend-to-friend file sharing on IPFS. Contact groups, blocking and profile migration are useful touches. It suits technically curious people who want to explore the decentralized web with a small circle of contacts and who accept the risks of unmaintained software. It is a poor choice for storing important or sensitive files, or for anyone who needs updates and support. Treat it as a look at the idea, and choose an actively maintained alternative for daily use.