Ledger Wallet for Windows is the official desktop app for managing Ledger hardware wallets. It is aimed at anyone who holds crypto on a Ledger Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax or Flex and wants to check balances, install coin apps and approve transactions from a computer. The program was originally called Ledger Live and was renamed Ledger Wallet in 2025, so you may still see the older name in guides and search results.
The source code is published under the MIT license on GitHub, which lets developers and curious users review how the app works. The software is free, but it needs a Ledger device to do anything useful. Transactions are signed on the hardware itself, so the computer never needs your private keys. The same ecosystem also runs on Android and iOS, which is useful if you want to check accounts on the go.
What Is a Hardware Wallet and Why It Matters
A hardware wallet is a small device that stores your private keys offline. Unlike a browser extension or a phone app that may be exposed to malware, the key never leaves the device. Ledger's hardware follows this model: keys are generated and kept inside the device, while the computer acts as a window into your accounts.
This split matters in practice. Public addresses, balances and transaction history can be displayed on Windows, but anything that proves ownership stays on the hardware. If the PC is infected, an attacker may see what you own, yet cannot move funds without physical approval on the device.
For people who hold crypto for months or years, that trade-off is the main appeal. Exchange accounts can be frozen or can fail, while self-custody keeps control with the owner. The price of that control is responsibility: you need to protect your recovery material and understand each transaction before you approve it.
Who Ledger Wallet Is For
Ledger Wallet suits people who want to hold crypto themselves and prefer a desktop dashboard to a phone. A long-term holder with bitcoin and ether, for example, can keep both on one device and review totals each week without opening several exchange tabs.
Another typical user is a collector of many tokens. The app supports more than 5,500 coins and tokens, so someone who has tried many networks can consolidate them under one hardware wallet. Installing only the coin apps they need keeps the list manageable.
Developers and technically minded readers also benefit from the open source code. Because the project is published under the MIT license, you can read how the app communicates with the device, report issues or build tools around it.
Someone who wants a quick, everyday spending wallet may find a mobile-first option more convenient, since this setup is built around deliberate, device-confirmed actions.
Understanding Seed Phrases and Recovery
A seed phrase is a list of words generated when you set up a hardware wallet. It acts as a master backup: anyone who has it can rebuild the accounts derived from the device's keys. That is why the phrase is more important than the device or the computer in the whole setup.
Recovery works like this. If a device is lost, damaged or replaced, you can restore access on a new Ledger device using the same phrase. The phrase protects the accounts, not the hardware, which is why many people keep a second, separate device for larger holdings.
When you write the phrase down, use paper and store it somewhere private and dry. Photos, cloud notes and email drafts can be copied or synced without your knowledge. Some users keep a second copy in a separate secure location in case of fire or flood.
Key features
Device Management for Current Ledger Models
Coin App Installation
Partner Services for Buying, Swapping and Staking
Transaction Signing on the Device
Supported coins
The app supports more than 5,500 coins and tokens. Which networks are available in your setup depends on the coin apps you install on the hardware device, so you can keep the list focused on what you actually hold.
How to install Ledger Wallet (Ledger Live) on Windows
- 1
Download the Installer
Get the file from the official website at ledger.com/ledger-live, or from the Releases page of the LedgerHQ repository on GitHub. Download only from the official website or GitHub, and avoid mirror sites or links shared in forums.
- 2
Optional: Install with winget
If you prefer the command line, Windows Package Manager can install the app using the identifier LedgerHQ.LedgerLive. Open PowerShell and run winget install LedgerHQ.LedgerLive, then wait for the process to finish.
- 3
Verify the File
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value the project publishes, or check the digital signature in the file's properties. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again from the official source.
-
Run Setup and Connect Your Device
Launch the installer and follow the prompts. Once the app opens, connect your Ledger device with its cable, unlock it with your PIN, and follow the on-screen instructions to link it to the program.
System requirements
- A compatible Ledger hardware device: Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax or Flex
How to use Ledger Wallet (Ledger Live)
Once the app is installed, the first setup takes a few minutes. Keep your device nearby and plan for a slow, careful first run, especially when you add your first coin app.
- Open Ledger Wallet and connect your Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax or Flex.
- Enter your PIN on the device when prompted.
- Add the coin apps for the networks you use. Each app is installed on the hardware, so confirm every installation on the device screen.
- Create or add accounts for each coin, and give them clear names so you can tell them apart later.
- Send a small test amount first, and check the address and amount on the device before approving.
- For buying, swapping or staking, open the partner section and read the provider's terms before confirming.
- Keep a record of each transfer for your own reference, so your history is easy to review later.
Pros & cons
- Open source code under the MIT license, published on GitHub
- Official Windows version from Ledger
- One program covers the Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax and Flex
- Supports more than 5,500 coins and tokens
- Transactions are signed on the hardware device
- Free to download and use
- Requires a Ledger device, so nothing works without hardware
- The 2025 rename to Ledger Wallet can confuse people searching for older Ledger Live guides
- Buying, swapping and staking depend on third-party partners and their terms
- Adds the need to buy and safeguard a physical device
Is Ledger Wallet (Ledger Live) safe?
Ledger Wallet is an official product, and its source code is public under the MIT license on GitHub. Download it only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid links from search ads or unknown forums. After downloading, compare the SHA-256 checksum with the value the project publishes, or verify the file's digital signature in Windows. A mismatch means you should delete the file.
Never enter your seed phrase on a website, in a pop-up or in a chat with someone claiming to be support. A legitimate app never needs your seed phrase for everyday use. Treat unsolicited messages about account problems as a likely scam.
- Official source only. Download from www.ledger.com/ledger-live. 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
Ledger Wallet differs from its neighbors mainly in which hardware it serves. Trezor Suite is built for Trezor devices, BitBoxApp is designed for the BitBox02, and Keystone takes a different route, working on a PC through third-party wallets. SafePal Desktop belongs to the SafePal ecosystem. If you already own a Ledger, this program is the natural choice. If your hardware comes from another brand, the manufacturer's own app is usually the better starting point. GridPlus Lattice1 focuses on Ethereum and EVM networks, so it suits a narrower use. Ledger's main advantage here is its broad coin and token support.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- 4.24.1
- Last update
- 30 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (official Windows version)
- Official site
- www.ledger.com/ledger-live
- Source code
- github.com/LedgerHQ/ledger-live
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the app itself is free to download and use. It works only with a Ledger hardware device such as the Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax or Flex, so you will need to buy one separately if you do not already own it. Partner services for buying, swapping or staking may charge their own fees.
Yes. The program was originally called Ledger Live and was renamed Ledger Wallet in 2025. Many guides and search results still use the old name, so it helps to search for both names when you look for setup instructions or reviews.
The app is the official Windows version from Ledger, its code is open source under the MIT license, and it signs transactions on the hardware device. Your overall safety still depends on how you download the installer and how you protect your recovery phrase. Verify the file and keep the phrase offline.
The app supports the Nano S Plus, Nano X, Stax and Flex. Each of these devices works with the same desktop program, so you can manage several models from one installation. You can switch between them without learning a separate interface.
The app works with more than 5,500 coins and tokens. To use a network, you install its coin app on your device, and only the networks you install appear as accounts. This keeps your device focused on the assets you actually hold.
Yes, the app offers buying, exchanging and staking through partner services. These providers run their own platforms, so their terms, availability and fees apply. Read them carefully before confirming, and compare options if you want to use a different service.
Your accounts are protected by your seed phrase rather than by the hardware alone. Buy a compatible Ledger device, install Ledger Wallet, and restore access with your recovery phrase. Keep the phrase safe, because it can rebuild your accounts on any compatible device.
Verdict
Ledger Wallet for Windows suits people who already own a Ledger device and want a free desktop dashboard with broad coin support and on-device signing. Its open source code and official status make it a strong choice for long-term self-custody. It is less useful without hardware, and partner services add terms to review. Before installing, check the latest version on the official website, then set up your recovery phrase carefully.