Ipfs Pinner is a free, open-source toolkit that helps you upload files to IPFS pinning services, so your content stays available on the decentralized network. It suits developers, hobbyists and anyone who wants a straightforward way to pin files from a Windows PC without running a full IPFS node. The project is written in Go and also builds for Linux.
By default, it uses Infura, a freemium pinning service that needs no extra setup beyond creating an account. Because Infura's free access is offered at no cost, you should expect rate limits during heavy use. The latest release is v1.1.0, and the code was updated on 2026-05-10, so the project is actively maintained. Ipfs Pinner for Windows is a practical starting point if you want to publish files on IPFS without managing your own infrastructure.
What Is IPFS Pinning and Why It Matters
IPFS, the InterPlanetary File System, identifies files by their content rather than by a server address. Each file receives a content identifier, usually called a CID, which is derived from the data itself. Anyone who has the file can serve it, and the same CID always points to the same content.
By default, an IPFS node keeps only the data it recently used and may remove the rest during cleanup. Pinning tells a node to keep a copy of a file until you unpin it. That is how you make sure a document or website build remains retrievable over time.
A pinning service solves a practical problem: your own computer does not need to stay online for your files to remain available. You upload the content to the service, it pins the data on its infrastructure, and the CID continues to resolve. Ipfs Pinner automates that upload step so you do not have to handle every request by hand.
Who Ipfs Pinner Is For
The toolkit fits people who already know what they want to publish. Developers who build static websites or documentation often need a reliable way to push a finished build to IPFS. A pinned build means visitors can reach the site through a content link, even when the developer's own server is offline.
Archivists and researchers can also use pinning to preserve files they want to share by a stable link. A small team might pin a set of reports so that everyone refers to the same CID rather than emailing different versions. The benefit is consistency: the link points to exactly one set of bytes.
If you are a complete beginner, expect a learning curve. Understanding CIDs, pinning and the difference between a gateway and a node helps you use the tool correctly. Readers who are comfortable with files and configuration will get the most out of it.
Practical Scenarios for Pinned Files
Consider a freelance writer who publishes a finished guide as a set of HTML and image files. After building the folder, the writer uploads it through the toolkit, receives a root CID, and shares that link with clients. Changing even one character in the guide produces a new CID, which makes version tracking visible.
Another example is a hobbyist who collects open datasets and wants a permanent reference for them. Pinning the dataset gives the collection a stable identifier, so notes, forum posts and citations can all point to the same files. The hobbyist can also record the CID alongside a checksum for extra confidence.
Pinned content is public by design. Anyone who knows the CID can retrieve the file, so the toolkit is a poor choice for private documents. Before uploading, decide whether the material is meant for public distribution, and keep sensitive files encrypted or off the network altogether.
Key features
Default Infura Pinning
Freemium Service With No Extra Setup
Open-Source Go Codebase
Windows and Linux Builds
Supported coins
Filecoin is the only network mentioned in the project's documentation. Pinned content is referenced by its CID rather than by a coin or token, so the practical question is whether your chosen pinning service fits your storage needs. Check the service's own documentation for details on its supported networks.
How to install Ipfs Pinner on Windows
- 1
Download the Program
Get Ipfs Pinner only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/wabarc/ipfs-pinner. Choose the newest release, currently v1.1.0, and avoid third-party mirrors or re-uploaded archives.
- 2
Verify the File
Calculate the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file and compare it with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided, verify that as well. Do not run any file whose checksum does not match.
- 3
Create an Infura Account
The default pinning service requires signup, so create a free Infura account before your first upload. Store your project credentials in a password manager rather than in plain text files on your desktop.
-
Extract and Test
Place the program files in a folder you control and point the toolkit at your pinning service. Start with a small test file to confirm that uploads succeed and that you receive a CID before pinning larger content.
System requirements
- Windows, which the project lists among its supported platforms
- A free Infura account for the default pinning service
How to use Ipfs Pinner
Ipfs Pinner works best when you prepare your files first and then run a single, repeatable upload. The steps below assume you have already installed the program and created your pinning account.
- Prepare the files you want to pin in one folder, and remove anything you do not intend to publish.
- Open the toolkit and confirm that Infura is selected as the pinning service.
- Enter your Infura credentials as the toolkit requests them, keeping them out of shared screenshots.
- Upload a small test file first and wait for the response containing its CID.
- Open the CID through a public IPFS gateway to confirm the file is retrievable.
- Upload the full folder once the test succeeds, and record the root CID.
- Save the CID alongside a note describing the version, so you can tell releases apart later.
- Watch for rate-limit messages during large batches, and pause before retrying.
If an upload fails, check your credentials and network connection first, then wait a few minutes before trying again. Repeated rapid attempts are the most common cause of rate-limit errors on free tiers.
Pros & cons
- Free to use, with no licensing cost listed for the program
- Open-source code that can be read on GitHub
- Default Infura pinning needs no extra setup beyond signup
- Builds for both Windows and Linux
- Actively maintained, with a code update on 2026-05-10
- The free Infura tier is likely to impose rate limits
- Pinning requires a signup with the default provider
- As a toolkit rather than a polished consumer app, it suits users comfortable with files and configuration
- Pinned content is public, which rules out private storage
Is Ipfs Pinner safe?
Ipfs Pinner is not a wallet, but it handles your files and a pinning account, so basic precautions apply. Download the program only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running it. A mismatched file should be deleted, not opened.
The project is not deprecated, and its latest code update is recent, which is reassuring. Still, check the latest version on the official website before installing, since release details can change. Keep your Infura credentials private and never enter them on third-party websites that ask for them. Remember that anything you pin is publicly retrievable by its CID, so avoid uploading personal or confidential material.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/wabarc/ipfs-pinner. 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
Ipfs Pinner focuses on one job: sending files to a pinning service with minimal setup. Kubo is the reference IPFS node, which means it runs a full node and gives you broader control over the network, but it asks more of the user. IPFS Desktop puts a node in the system tray, which is convenient for browsing and sharing, though it is not built around pinning to an external provider.
Pinner CLI is the closest alternative, since it is also a command-line tool for pinning content to IPFS. Choose Ipfs Pinner if you want Infura as the default provider and a Go codebase you can inspect. Choose Kubo if you want to run your own node, and IPFS Desktop if you prefer a graphical tray application for everyday use.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.1.0
- Last update
- 10 May 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/wabarc/ipfs-pinner
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Ipfs Pinner is free and open source. The default pinning service, Infura, is freemium, so its free access may come with rate limits. Heavy or frequent uploads may require a paid plan from the provider, so check its terms before planning a large project.
Yes, the project builds for Windows as well as Linux, and Windows is one of its listed platforms. Download the release from the official GitHub Releases page, verify the checksum, and follow the installation steps. Windows users should run a test upload before pinning large folders.
It can be, provided you download it only from the official source and verify its SHA-256 checksum or signature. The project is actively maintained, with a recent code update. Never share your Infura credentials on third-party websites, and avoid pinning files you want to keep private.
Infura is the default pinning service, and it requires signup before you can upload. The account lets the provider track usage and apply its free-tier limits. Once you have credentials, the toolkit can send files to Infura without additional configuration.
Filecoin is the network mentioned in the project's documentation as relevant to pinning. It is a decentralized storage network that is often associated with IPFS. Whether your pinned content is stored on Filecoin depends on the service you use, so review its documentation.
Yes, the project builds for Linux in addition to Windows. The same pinning workflow applies on both systems, which helps if you manage files on a Windows desktop and a Linux server. Keep your release version consistent across machines to avoid confusion.
Pinned content stays on the pinning service until the provider or your account removes it, but the toolkit does not control that process. Keep a local copy of important files and record the CIDs, so you can re-upload them or verify them later if needed.
Verdict
Ipfs Pinner is a good fit for developers, archivists and hobbyists who want a free, open-source way to pin files on IPFS from Windows without running a full node. Its default Infura setup is simple, and the recent code update suggests active maintenance. Expect rate limits on the free tier, and use the tool for public content only.