Storj for Windows is a free, open-source program that turns your computer into a storage node on the Storj decentralized cloud network. It suits three kinds of users: people with spare disk space who want to contribute to a distributed network, developers who want to test S3-compatible storage workflows, and curious readers who want to see how peer-to-peer cloud storage works in practice.
The software is written in Go and released under the AGPL-3.0 license, so its source code is public on GitHub. Storj belongs to the same broad category as IPFS-based tools, but it is built around its own network and client software. Before installing, read the notes on versioning and upgrades in the cons section, because the project does not follow strict semantic versioning for its node code.
What Is Decentralized Cloud Storage?
Traditional cloud storage keeps your files on servers owned by a single company. Decentralized cloud storage spreads data across many independent machines, typically run by different people or organizations. Each machine, called a node, holds a portion of the stored data and reports back to the network.
The model has practical appeal. Storage does not depend on one provider's data center, and participants can contribute spare capacity instead of renting it. It also raises questions that centralized services answer for you, such as how nodes are verified, how availability is maintained, and how you keep control of your own keys. Those questions are the core of this category, and they explain why tools like Storj come with technical documentation rather than a simple one-click experience.
Who Is Storj for?
Storj suits people who are comfortable with a command line and a little network configuration. A common scenario is a home user with an unused hard drive or a small server who wants to see how a storage node behaves over several weeks.
Developers form a second group. If you build an application that expects an S3 interface, the S3 Gateway lets you test against a decentralized backend. Students and researchers studying distributed systems can use the Test Network to observe behavior without running real workloads. People who need a simple, supported backup tool for everyday files will likely find a mainstream cloud service easier to live with.
How Storage Nodes Work Together
A node on its own is only one piece of the picture. The network coordinates many nodes so that data can be stored and retrieved even when some machines go offline. Node operators need to keep their software running, keep their connection open, and allocate a reasonable amount of disk space.
For a Windows user, the practical consequences are concrete. Your PC must be reachable on the network, which often means checking the router and firewall settings. Uptime matters, and a node that is frequently offline contributes less. Where possible, store node data on a drive separate from the system drive, so the operating system never competes with the network for capacity.
Key features
Storage Node Software
Storj Test Network
Uplink Command-Line Tool
S3 Gateway
How to install Storj on Windows
- 1
Get the installer
Download the Windows build or installer only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/storj/storj. Avoid mirror sites and links shared in chats, since a modified installer can carry malware.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided, verify it as well before you run anything.
- 3
Run the installer
Open the file and follow the prompts. Choose a folder on a drive with enough free space for the storage you plan to contribute, and keep it separate from your Windows system drive where possible.
- 4
Configure the node
Enter your storage allocation, network address and identity settings as the setup asks. Read the official documentation for the exact fields, and write down the values you chose so you can restore them later.
-
Confirm it runs
Start the node and check the log output for connection errors. A node that starts cleanly and stays connected is ready for a short test session before you commit to a longer run.
How to use Storj
Once the node is installed and running, everyday work happens through the tools the project provides. The steps below describe a sensible first session.
- Open the program and confirm the node starts without errors in the log output.
- Connect to the Test Network first to make sure your network settings work.
- Open a terminal and run the Uplink CLI help command to see the available operations.
- Upload a small test file, then download it again and compare the two files to confirm the round trip.
- If you plan to use S3-compatible tools, start the S3 Gateway and point a test client at the local endpoint.
- Review the log output after each change, and record the settings that worked.
Treat the first session as a learning exercise. Once you understand the behavior and your connection is stable, adjust the storage allocation and move to a longer run.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use, with source code published on GitHub
- Open source under the AGPL-3.0 license, so the code can be reviewed
- Includes a Test Network, a command-line Uplink tool and an S3 Gateway
- Available as a ready-made Windows build or installer
- Useful for developers testing S3-compatible applications
- Upgrades can include backward-incompatible changes between minor and patch releases, so read release notes first
- Setup involves network configuration, which can be a hurdle for beginners
- Running a node uses disk space and bandwidth on your machine
- Documentation and tooling are aimed mainly at technical users
Is Storj safe?
Download Storj for Windows only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page at github.com/storj/storj. Avoid mirror sites, bundled downloader apps and links shared in chats, because a modified installer can carry malware. After downloading, compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published with the release, or verify the signature if one is provided. Because a node handles identity and network credentials, never enter private keys, passphrases or seed phrases on third-party websites or in tools you did not obtain from the official source. Check the latest version on the official website before setting up a long-running node, and read the release notes for breaking changes.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/storj/storj. 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
Storj and the IPFS-related programs in this catalog all deal with decentralized data, but they solve different problems. IPFS Desktop and Kubo focus on the IPFS network, where content is addressed and shared between peers. Peergos emphasizes end-to-end encrypted file storage and sharing between people. Swarm Desktop helps you run and manage a Swarm node, and ZeroNet is built around decentralized websites. Storj stands out for its node-operator model and its S3 Gateway, which lets standard S3 tools reach a decentralized backend. If your goal is to share files with other people, Peergos may fit better. If you want to run infrastructure that stores data for a cloud-style network, Storj is the closer match.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- agpl-3.0
- Latest version
- storagenode-2024.12.1734976534-08d1eded9
- Last update
- 30 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/storj/storj
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Storj for Windows is free to download and use. The source code is published on GitHub under the AGPL-3.0 license, so you can read it and check how it works before you install it on your own machine.
Yes, Storj provides a Windows build or installer. Get it from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, verify the file's checksum, and then run the installer. Setup is similar to other desktop software, though node configuration takes more care.
It can be, provided you take basic precautions. Because the code is open source, it can be reviewed publicly. Download only from official sources, verify the SHA-256 checksum, and never enter private keys or seed phrases on third-party sites.
Storj is released under the AGPL-3.0 license. In plain terms, you can use, study, modify and share the software. If you run a modified version as a network service, the license requires you to make your changed source code available to its users.
Storj is written in Go. If you only want the ready-made Windows build, you do not need Go installed. Developers who build from source will need the Go toolchain, which is a build-time dependency rather than a requirement for running the program.
Running a node requires basic comfort with network settings, such as checking a firewall and keeping the program online. The Uplink CLI and S3 Gateway are aimed at technical users, so less experienced readers may want to start with the Test Network and the documentation.
Not in every case. IPFS focuses on content-addressed sharing between peers, while Storj is built around a storage network with its own node model and client tools. Many users choose based on whether they need peer-to-peer file sharing or a cloud-style storage backend.
Verdict
Storj for Windows is a good fit for technically comfortable users who want to explore decentralized cloud storage, run a node on a PC that stays online, or test S3-compatible applications against a distributed backend. It is free and open source, and the Test Network gives you a low-stakes way to learn the process. It is less suitable for anyone who wants a simple, polished backup tool with minimal setup. Read the upgrade notes, keep the software current, and treat the first weeks as a trial run.