XMRig is a free, open source miner for people who want to mine cryptocurrency with their processor or graphics card on Windows. It suits hobbyists and hands-on operators who are comfortable working from a command line and a text configuration file. The program is best known for RandomX, the algorithm behind Monero (XMR), and it also handles KawPow, CryptoNight and GhostRider.
The project is licensed under GPL-3.0, so anyone can read the source code on GitHub. The latest version is 6.26.0, and the code was last updated on March 28, 2026, which shows the project is actively maintained. Windows users can install it with Scoop or download a ready-made build. This page covers what the miner does, how to set it up, and the safety steps to take before running any mining software.
What Is XMRig and Who Is It For?
XMRig is a mining program. It uses your computer's processor or graphics card to solve the cryptographic puzzles a blockchain network requires, then reports the results to a mining pool. It is not a wallet and does not store coins. You still need a separate wallet address to receive payouts, and the miner sends its work to the pool on your behalf.
The program suits several kinds of users. Hobbyists who want to test Monero mining on a spare PC are a natural fit, as are people who run multiple machines and prefer one configuration format. Developers who like reading source code will appreciate that the project is open source under GPL-3.0.
It is less suited to someone who wants a point-and-click interface. Most of the work happens in a terminal and in text files, so expect a short learning curve before the first successful run.
Why RandomX Matters for CPU Mining
RandomX is the algorithm most people associate with XMRig. Its design goal is to keep ordinary processors competitive, so a regular desktop CPU can take part in mining instead of being outpaced by specialized chips. That is why the miner is often run on everyday computers rather than on dedicated graphics card rigs.
A mining algorithm is the set of rules behind the hash puzzle. Different coins use different algorithms, and the algorithm determines which hardware performs well. KawPow, for example, was built with graphics cards in mind, which is why XMRig supports both CPUs and GPUs.
Hashrate measures how many hashes a device computes per second. A higher hashrate does not automatically mean higher earnings. Results must be weighed against electricity costs, pool fees and coin prices, all of which change constantly.
Practical Scenarios for Mining on Windows
A common scenario is a desktop that sits idle overnight. Running the miner on a computer you already own lets you measure real hashrate and power draw before spending money on new hardware. Short test sessions are a good way to learn the software.
The program also fits a few other setups:
- A gaming PC with an AMD card, configured through OpenCL with a dedicated profile.
- A mixed fleet where a Linux server and a Windows desktop share the same JSON structure.
- A test rig where you change pool or algorithm options while the miner runs, using API calls.
In every case, watch temperatures and fan behavior during the first hours. Sustained load is hard on cooling systems, and a stable setup is more valuable than a brief spike in speed.
Terms Every New Miner Should Know
Understanding a few terms makes the configuration file much easier to read.
- Wallet address: a public address where your payouts are sent. It is safe to share with the pool, and it is the only wallet detail a miner needs.
- Seed phrase: a list of recovery words that controls a wallet. Mining does not require it, so it should never be typed into a miner or a website.
- Mining pool: a server that combines the work of many miners and divides rewards according to each participant's contribution.
- Threads: parallel workers that a CPU miner uses. More threads usually raise load and heat, so adjust them gradually.
- Algorithm: the rule set that defines the hash puzzle. The algorithm must match the coin you choose.
Key features
CPU mining on many architectures
OpenCL support for AMD GPUs
CUDA support for NVIDIA GPUs
JSON configuration file
Changes without restarting
Builds for several operating systems
Supported coins
The XMRig documentation highlights Monero (XMR) as its main coin. The miner supports the RandomX, KawPow, CryptoNight and GhostRider algorithms, and its hardware paths cover CPUs, AMD graphics cards through OpenCL, and NVIDIA graphics cards through CUDA. Because the algorithm determines which coins can be mined with it, check the coin against the algorithm list before you configure a pool.
How to install XMRig on Windows
PS> scoop install xmrig- 1
Install Scoop
Scoop is a command-line package manager for Windows. Open PowerShell and follow the official Scoop installation instructions. If you prefer not to use Scoop, download the ready-made build from the official website or from the GitHub Releases page instead. Download only from the official website or GitHub, never from mirror sites.
- 2
Install XMRig with Scoop
In PowerShell, run scoop install xmrig. Scoop downloads the package and makes the xmrig executable available from the command line. Once the command finishes, you can start the program from any terminal window.
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Verify the download
If you downloaded a zip file manually, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the GitHub Releases page. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash with the SHA256 algorithm against the file. Matching values confirm the file was not altered during transfer.
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Create your config file
Write a JSON configuration with your pool address, wallet address and chosen algorithm, then start the miner and point it to that file. Keep the config in a folder you control, so you can edit it later without hunting for settings across the system.
How to use XMRig
Once XMRig is installed, the workflow is the same whether you mine with the CPU or a GPU. Keep your wallet address ready, choose a pool that supports your coin, and run a short test before leaving the miner unattended.
- Open PowerShell in the folder where your configuration file is stored.
- Edit the JSON config and set the pool address, your wallet address and the algorithm or profile you want to use.
- Enable the CPU, OpenCL or CUDA sections depending on your hardware. For NVIDIA cards, make sure the CUDA plugin is referenced correctly.
- Start the miner with the config file and watch the first lines of output to confirm it connects to the pool.
- Check the reported hashrate in the console. Compare it with your expectations for the hardware and note any errors.
- Adjust options while the miner runs by editing the config file or sending API calls, which avoids a full restart.
- Stop the miner with Ctrl+C when you need to, then review the pool dashboard before making further changes.
Keep a simple log of each change you make. When results shift, you can trace the cause to a specific edit instead of guessing.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under GPL-3.0, so the code can be reviewed by anyone
- Covers CPUs as well as AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards
- JSON configuration makes setups easy to copy between machines
- Important options can be changed without restarting the miner
- Supports several algorithms, including RandomX and KawPow
- Official builds exist for Windows, Linux, macOS and FreeBSD
- Actively maintained, with the last code update on March 28, 2026
- Most work happens in the terminal and text files, which can intimidate beginners
- The command line does not cover every feature, so the config file is required for some setups
- NVIDIA support depends on an external CUDA plugin, which adds a setup step
- Antivirus software may flag the program, creating extra troubleshooting
- Results vary widely between hardware, so a setup that performs well on one machine may underperform on another
Is XMRig safe?
XMRig is a mining program, so treat it like any software that runs on your computer with access to your network. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file before running it. The source code is public, which helps reviewers spot problems, but it does not replace checksum verification.
Antivirus tools often flag miners as potentially unwanted software, and this can be a false positive. If needed, add a narrow exception for the specific XMRig folder, but never disable your protection entirely. Never type a seed phrase into the miner, a website or a chat. A miner only needs your public wallet address. Check the latest version on the official website before updating.
- Official source only. Download from xmrig.com. 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
Compared with BzMiner and GMiner, which are GPU-focused tools, XMRig is most useful when a CPU is part of the plan, especially for RandomX. Nanominer comes from the Nanopool team, so it fits users who already work with that ecosystem. Cpuminer-multi targets CPU mining across many algorithms, while Xmrig MO is a fork of XMRig that adds algorithm switching. NBMiner and T-Rex Miner are NVIDIA GPU miners whose development has stopped, which makes them less suitable for a new setup. Choose based on your hardware and the algorithms you plan to use.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Latest version
- 6.26.0
- Last update
- 28 Mar 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via Scoop)
- Official site
- xmrig.com
- Source code
- github.com/xmrig/xmrig
- Install command
- scoop install xmrig
Frequently asked questions
XMRig is an open source miner distributed under GPL-3.0, and it is safe when you get it from the official website or the GitHub Releases page and check its SHA-256 checksum. Antivirus tools sometimes flag miners as suspicious, which is often a false positive. Make exceptions carefully rather than turning protection off, and never enter a seed phrase into the program.
Install Scoop first by following its official instructions in PowerShell. Then run scoop install xmrig to download and register the program. After installation, create or edit your JSON config file with your pool and wallet details before starting the miner from the command line.
Yes, NVIDIA cards are supported through CUDA, but the support comes from an external CUDA plugin rather than the core program. Download the plugin separately and reference it in your configuration. AMD graphics cards are supported through OpenCL, which is configured in the same file.
Yes. CPU mining is one of the program's main modes and works on x86 and x64 processors, with additional builds for ARM and RISC-V chips. It is a practical starting point for testing the software on an existing PC. Results depend on the processor model and the settings you choose.
The documentation highlights Monero (XMR), and the supported algorithms include RandomX, KawPow, CryptoNight and GhostRider. The coin you can mine depends on its algorithm, which can change over time. Verify both the coin and the algorithm before you configure a pool.
Antivirus programs often flag mining software because miners use significant CPU and GPU resources, and malware has sometimes disguised itself as miners. Legitimate miners can trigger the same warnings. Confirm the file's SHA-256 hash first, then add a targeted exception for the XMRig folder instead of disabling protection.
Verdict
XMRig is a strong choice for Windows users who want a free, open source miner for RandomX and other CPU-friendly algorithms, and who are comfortable with a config file and a terminal. It also covers AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards, though NVIDIA needs an extra plugin. Beginners should test on a spare machine and read the safety notes before running anything unattended. If your setup is built mainly around graphics cards, compare it with GPU-focused tools before deciding.