Where do I download XMRig safely?

The safest place to download XMRig is the official xmrig.com website or the Releases section of the xmrig/xmrig repository on GitHub. Type the address yourself, check the spelling, and avoid ads or third-party download sites—even when they promise an easier setup.

Find the official download

XMRig is open-source mining software, which means its code is publicly available for inspection. It runs directly on your computer, not inside your web browser.

You have two reliable starting points:

• Official website: Type xmrig.com into your browser’s address bar and look for its download section.
• Official GitHub project: On GitHub, check that the repository owner is xmrig and the project name is also xmrig. Open its Releases section.

GitHub is a site where developers publish code and software releases. Anyone can upload a project there, so “it came from GitHub” is not enough. The exact owner and repository matter.

Avoid sponsored search results, download portals, files shared in chat groups, and download buttons beneath video tutorials. A familiar logo or a high search ranking does not prove a file is genuine.

Pick the right release file

Choose the latest stable release unless you have a specific reason to use an older version. A stable release is intended for regular use; a preview or test release may have unfinished changes.

Under the release’s downloadable files, often called Assets, choose the package that matches:

• Your operating system: Windows, Linux, or macOS.
• Your processor type: For example, x64 for most Intel and AMD desktop computers, or ARM64 for compatible ARM-based computers.

The Source code downloads contain the program’s code, rather than a ready-to-run copy. Unless you plan to build the software yourself, choose the matching ready-made package.

XMRig commonly comes in a compressed archive, such as a ZIP file. Be suspicious of an unrelated “download manager,” browser extension, or installer that asks you to add other software.

Check the file before running it

Where the official release provides SHA-256 checksums, compare the checksum of your downloaded file with the published value. A checksum is a fingerprint calculated from a file’s contents. Your operating system can calculate it with a built-in tool.

The values should match exactly. If they do not, stop and download the file again from the official source.

A matching checksum confirms that your file matches the published one. It does not independently prove the software is harmless, especially if both the download and checksum came from a fake page. Check the source first.

Treat warnings and money requests carefully

Security software may flag XMRig because criminals also use it to mine secretly on other people’s computers. That does not make every warning a false alarm.

Do not disable your antivirus across your whole computer just to get a download working. Recheck the source and checksum, read the detection details, and stop if you are unsure.

The official XMRig download is free. Downloading it never requires your wallet’s recovery phrase, private keys, or a payment to “activate earnings.” Keep those secrets private, and run mining software only on devices you own or have explicit permission to use.

The bottom line

Start at xmrig.com or the exact xmrig/xmrig GitHub repository. Choose the correct stable package, verify any published checksum, and never let a download page pressure you into paying or weakening your security.