YDM ships as one self-contained build — the download engine and the interface are all embedded. Choose the per-user installer for shortcuts and Start Menu integration, or grab the portable executable and run it from anywhere.
The easiest way to get started. Installs per-user (no administrator password), creates Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts, and appears in Settings → Apps for clean uninstall.
Download YDM-Setup.exeSilent install supported: YDM-Setup.exe /S · custom folder: /DIR="D:\YDM"
The same program as a single portable executable. No installer, no registry changes —
put it on a USB drive or in a tools folder and double-click. Your data stays in
%APPDATA%\YDM.
Portable builds never touch the registry — deleting the file removes the program.
YDM starts three things at once: a system tray icon, the desktop window, and a local-only server that powers the interface. Paste a link or copy one to the clipboard, and YDM will offer to queue it. Windows SmartScreen may warn on first run because the build is new — choose “More info → Run anyway”.
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) |
|---|---|
| Runtime prerequisites | None — the download engine and the UI are embedded in the executable |
| Window | Uses the standard web runtime that ships with Windows; falls back to your default browser automatically if needed |
| Disk space | A few hundred MB for the app, plus room for your downloads (the built-in guard keeps a 512 MB safety margin) |
| Optional | Deno, Node.js, or Bun improves compatibility with modern YouTube formats when installed |
Grab YDM-Setup.exe (or the portable YDM.exe) above.
Launch the file — the installer needs no administrator rights. Portable users just double-click.
YDM opens its window and starts monitoring the clipboard. Copy a YouTube link to see the magic.
Uninstalling removes everything the installer created — and deliberately
keeps your downloaded media and unfinished .part files.
YDM accepts a handful of flags — handy for shortcuts, scripts, and autostart.
YDM.exe --tray-only :: start in the background, no window (used by autostart)
YDM.exe --no-window :: same, without stealing focus
YDM.exe --url LINK :: hand a link to the running instance / open + parse it
YDM.exe --port 3400 :: override the preferred loopback port
YDM.exe --data-dir DIR :: keep settings/history elsewhere (advanced)YDM checks this site's release feed in the background and offers new versions in one click — the download is verified by SHA-256 and the previous build is kept as an automatic rollback, all without re-running the installer. Or grab the latest installer or portable executable here and replace your copy; settings and history carry over either way.