If you worry about your privacy while surfing internet using search engines like Google or Bing, DuckDuckGo browser is worth trying! The DuckDuckGo browser prioritizes user privacy and offers a more secure browsing experience but it’s only available for mobile, not computers, meaning you can’t officially download DuckDuckGo for PC Windows 11 but you can install it by following the methods in this article.
Name | DuckDuckGo | Developer | Gabriel Weinberg |
Year of Launch | 2008 | File Size | 16 MB |
Supported OS | Windows | MacOS | Android | iOS | Category | Search Engine |
Language(s) | English | Spanish | Portuguese | Hindi | Arabic and 26 more. | Store(s) | Google Play Store | Mac App Store |
Official Website | www.duckduckgo.com | Rating |
How to download and install DuckDuckGo on Windows?
1. By adding the extension to your Browser
You can’t download the DuckDuckGo browser app directly on your Windows 11 device but you can add the DuckDuckGo browser extension to your Chrome or Firefox browser and access to its features.
Below, here is the process you need to follow:
- Open any browser on your PC and navigate to DuckDuckGo’s official website.
- Click the button Add DuckDuckGo to Chrome or Firefox (or another one).
- Navigate to your browser’s menu and the Settings panel.
- Look for the Search Engine Option and select DuckDuckGo as your search engine.
- That’s it! You can now surf the internet via DuckDuckGo.
2. By installing the Android version with an emulator for Windows 11 | 10
BlueStacks and NoxPlayer are famous Android emulators that work well with Windows and MacOS. With them, you can download and install Android and iOS applications on your computer and also use external hardware like your mouse and keyboard.
Below are the steps to download and install DuckDuckGo browser using an emulator:
- Go to the BlueStacks or NoxPlayer official website to download and install the emulator.
- An installation wizard will guide you through the installation process.
- Double-click the BlueStacks or NoxPlayer icon on your desktop to start the software.
- You will now be requested to input your Google Play account credentials.
- Enter DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser into the search box and click Search.
- Select the icon for the DuckDuckGo program. It will open a window in the Store.
- Click Install and your program will begin to be downloaded.
- Now, you can see the DuckDuckGo icon.
- Right-click on it and select Run as Administrator to start using DuckDuckGo on Windows 11.
- Optional: You can also check this video about DuckDuckGo on YouTube.
3. By downloading it from third-party websites
DuckDuckGo is not officially available for Windows users but some websites and emulators allow you to install and use this application on your Windows or MacOS.
If you want to install DuckDuckGo with the .APK file follow these steps:
- First, you need to download the .APK file from a trusted website.
- You have to install an emulator like BlueStacks or NoxPlayer.
- Once you have installed one emulator, just drag and drop the .APK file in the home screen of the emulator.
- The emulator will begin to install the application on your computer.
- Once finished, an icon will appear on the home screen, then you can click and use DuckDuckGo browser on your computer.
Features of DuckDuckGo for PC
The main reason behind the popularity of the DuckDuckGo browser is the privacy features he gives but the application offer many other functionalities that enhance the user’s browsing experience such as:
Safe Searching
DuckDuckGo allows users to switch their default search engine to DuckDuckGo in a single click. It prevents search engines from collecting user’s data, data tracking and private information while surfing on internet.
Ad Blocking
Everyone gets frustrated with annoying ads while using Google and other browsers. Luckily, with DuckDuckGo, you don’t need to deal with ads and trackers since it has an in-built ad-blocking feature.
Search Privately
With DuckDuckGo, you can search the internet anonymously. No one can track your browsing activity or monitor it.
Encryption
DuckDuckGo forces sites to enforce an encrypted connection so that your data is not leaked to hackers. It ensures that websites don’t steal your data by encrypting it through advanced encryption techniques.
One-click Data Clearance
DuckDuckGo allows users to get rid of unwanted data and browsing history in a single click. So you don’t need to get bothered by unwanted data and sites coming your way while browsing. A single click and everything gets cleared up!
Alternative to DuckDuckGo for PC Windows
Apart from DuckDuckGo, several other applications provide data privacy and security while browsing the internet. If the above methods to use DuckDuckGo on desktop sound tricky to you you may check those one:
Qwant
Qwant is a French search engine that ensures user data privacy and protection while browsing the internet. The app prevents online sites from tracking all users’ activities and blocks ads. Qwant limits the number of cookies used while browsing. It never sells your data and ensures that other apps don’t steal your private data while you are surfing internet.
YaCy
YaCy is another popular browser that allows you to browse the internet privately. It’s fast, efficient and can be installed in three simple steps. With YaCy, you can ditch online trackers, block ads and ensure your data remains private. This browser allow you to set up your search portal for your intranet instead of relying on large search engine operators.
Searx
Searx is a free online search engine that allows users to search the internet without generating their profiles. The browser collects results from more than 70 search services and ensures that the user’s activities are not tracked or monitored.
Mojeek
Mojeek is a UK-based search engine that allows users to search online without worrying about being tracked! The browser is independent from other search engines, meaning that you get results from their web pages only. Mojeek was the first search engine to declare that they don’t track user data, so you can trust on Mojeek when it comes about privacy.
Brave Search
Brave Search is a browser developed by Brave Software and is already the default browser in some countries like the United States, Canada and France for example. With Brave Search, you can securely and privately surf on internet and get results from its private web indexing. Brave Search is also independent of Google and Bing, ensuring complete data privacy. Currently, it’s ad-free but developers are planning to launch new versions of the software that support ads.
UC Browser
UC Browser is a web browser developed by mobile internet company UCWeb, a subsidiary of the Alibaba Group. It was the most popular mobile browser in India and Indonesia and the second most popular one in China as of 2017.
Frequently asked questions about DuckDuckGo for PC
Is Brave better than DuckDuckGo for PC?
Brave and DuckDuckGo are excellent search engines that ensure user privacy and security while surfing the internet but Brave offer a range of advanced functionalities and is available for computers and mobile users. In the other way, DuckDuckGo is limited to mobile users. So, Brave is a better option if you want a seamless browsing experience on any device.
Can DuckDuckGo for PC be tracked?
No, DuckDuckGo can’t be tracked. The search engine ensures that users get a seamless browsing experience without being tracked or monitored. It also limits cookies to prevent third-party sites from tracking user information.
Is DuckDuckGo for PC part of the dark web?
Yes, DuckDuckGo is a dark web search engine but only to prevent online websites from tracking and monitoring user data.
Is DuckDuckGo for PC spying?
DuckDuckGo is a secure and private browser, it clearly mentions that it doesn’t track, monitor or store user activity. So you can stay assured that DuckDuckGo is not spying you while you are browsing internet.
Is DuckDuckGo for PC better than incognito?
The incognito mode is excellent for keeping your browsing history private. You can select this mode when you want to keep your browsing private but with DuckDuckGo, all your browsing will remain private and your activities will never be tracked. This way, your information can stay safe and you don’t have to worry about cyber attacks. So DuckDuckGo is a better option way you are more concerned about your data and browsing activity on the internet.
DuckDuckGo for Mac, is it possible?
As for Windows, DuckDuckGo is unavailable for MacOS, so you can’t officially install the application on your Apple devices but as explained above, you can install and use NoxPlayer or BlueStacks to download DuckDuckGo since both emulators run effortlessly on MacOS and are easy to use. The steps to install it are the same as the ones listed for Windows.