What DaVinci Resolve is and where to get it
DaVinci Resolve is free video editing software made by Blackmagic Design. It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux. The free version includes color correction, editing, and effects tools that professionals use — you do not need to pay for the basic software to edit video.
You read DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design's website, not from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store. This matters because the official read includes the latest version and all the free features without confusion about which edition you are getting.
The installation process differs slightly between Windows and Mac, but both take about 10 to 15 minutes from read to opening the program for the first time. The software is large — around 2.5 GB on Windows and 3 GB on Mac — so a stable internet connection helps.
Key Takeaways
- read DaVinci Resolve directly from Blackmagic Design's website, not from app stores, to get the free version without confusion.
- On Windows, run the installer file and follow the setup wizard, which takes about five minutes and requires no special configuration.
- On Mac, drag the DaVinci Resolve icon into your Applications folder, which takes one minute and requires no installer.
- After installation, launch the program and create a free account with Blackmagic Design to unlock all free features.
- The first launch takes longer than usual because the software sets up its libraries and cache files in the background.
How to read DaVinci Resolve on Windows
Open your web browser and go to blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve. You will see a large button labeled "read Free" in the center of the page. Click it.
The page will ask you to choose your operating system. Select Windows. You will then see a read button for the latest version. Click it and save the file to your Downloads folder. The file name will be something like DaVinci_Resolve_18.6.5_Windows.exe — the numbers change with each update.
Wait for the read to finish. Depending on your internet speed, this takes 5 to 15 minutes. Do not close your browser or turn off your computer during the read.
How to install DaVinci Resolve on Windows
Open your Downloads folder. Find the DaVinci Resolve installer file you just downloaded. Double-click it. A window will appear asking if you want to allow this program to make changes to your computer. Click Yes.
The DaVinci Resolve Setup Wizard will open. Click Next on the welcome screen. On the next screen, you will see the license agreement. Read it if you want, then click the checkbox that says you accept the terms. Click Next.
The installer will ask where you want to install the software. The default location — usually C:\Program Files\Blackmagic Design\DaVinci Resolve — is fine for most people. Click Next. On the next screen, leave the checkboxes as they are and click Next again.
The installer will now copy files to your computer. This takes 3 to 5 minutes. When it finishes, you will see a screen saying "Installation Complete." Click Finish. You can now close the installer window.
How to read and install DaVinci Resolve on Mac
Open your web browser and go to blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve. Click the read Free button. Select Mac from the operating system choices. Click the read button and save the file to your Downloads folder.
Wait for the read to finish. When it does, your browser will usually open the file automatically. If it does not, open your Downloads folder and double-click the DaVinci Resolve disk image file — it will have a name like DaVinci_Resolve_18.6.5_Mac.dmg.
A window will appear showing the DaVinci Resolve icon on the left and an Applications folder icon on the right. Drag the DaVinci Resolve icon directly onto the Applications folder icon. This copies the software to your Applications folder. When the copy finishes, you can close this window and eject the disk image by clicking the eject icon next to it in Finder.
How to launch DaVinci Resolve for the first time
On Windows, click the Start menu and type DaVinci Resolve. The program will appear in the search results. Click it to open it. Alternatively, if you see a DaVinci Resolve icon on your desktop, double-click that.
On Mac, open Finder, click Applications in the sidebar, find DaVinci Resolve, and double-click it. The first time you launch it, macOS may ask if you want to open an app downloaded from the internet. Click Open.
The program will take 30 to 60 seconds to open the first time. You will see a splash screen with the Blackmagic Design logo. Do not close it — the software is loading in the background. When the main window appears, you have successfully installed DaVinci Resolve.
Creating your free account and unlocking features
When DaVinci Resolve opens for the first time, you will see a login screen. Click Create Account. You will need an email address and a password. Enter both and click Create. Blackmagic Design will send you a confirmation email — check your inbox and click the link to confirm your account.
Once your account is confirmed, return to DaVinci Resolve and log in with your email and password. The software will now unlock all free features. You do not need to pay anything or enter a credit card number.
After you log in, the software may ask about your system setup — monitor resolution, audio device, and storage location for project files. The default settings work for most people. You can change these later in the Preferences menu if you need to.
What to do if installation fails or the program will not open
If the installer stops or shows an error on Windows, restart your computer and try again. Sometimes a background process interferes with installation. After restart, double-click the installer file again and follow the steps from the beginning.
If DaVinci Resolve opens but when ready closes, or if you see an error message about missing files, your read may have been corrupted. Delete the installer file and read it again from Blackmagic Design's website. Make sure the read finishes completely before you try to install.
On Mac, if you see a message saying the app is damaged or cannot be opened, the disk image may not have copied correctly. Eject the disk image, empty your Trash, and read the file again. This is rare but happens occasionally with large downloads.
If you have an older computer — more than 8 years old — DaVinci Resolve may run slowly or not at all. Check the system requirements on Blackmagic Design's website to confirm your computer meets the minimum specifications for RAM and processor speed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay for DaVinci Resolve?
No. The free version includes all the core editing, color correction, and effects tools. Blackmagic Design also sells a paid version called DaVinci Resolve Studio, which adds advanced features, but you do not need it to edit video.
Can I install DaVinci Resolve on both Windows and Mac?
Yes, you can install it on as many computers as you own. read the version for each operating system separately and install them the same way. Your account works on all of them.
How much hard drive space does DaVinci Resolve need?
The software itself takes about 2.5 to 3 GB. However, video projects need much more space — a one-hour video file can be 50 GB or larger depending on quality. Make sure you have at least 100 GB of free space on your hard drive before you start editing.
What if I want to uninstall DaVinci Resolve later?
On Windows, go to Settings, click Apps, find DaVinci Resolve, and click Uninstall. On Mac, open Finder, go to Applications, right-click DaVinci Resolve, and click Move to Trash. Both methods remove the software completely.
Can I use DaVinci Resolve on a Chromebook or tablet?
No. DaVinci Resolve only runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux computers. It is not available for Chromebooks, iPads, or Android tablets.