Download FreeBSD
Choosing a version of FreeBSD
The FreeBSD Project aims to release a new major version every two years and support each of those major versions with security updates and maintanence releases for five years. When creating a new installation, it is recommended to start with the latest version. Snapshots of the development branch of FreeBSD are provided for testing purposes, and to allow those building future installations and products to track the latest features.
Choosing an Architecture
Most PCs produced since 2006 use the amd64 architecture, including those with Intel® branded processors. Computers with more than 3 GB of memory should use amd64. If the computer is an older, 32-bit only model, use i386.
Choosing an Image
The FreeBSD installer can be downloaded in a number of different formats including: CD (disc1), DVD (dvd1), and Network Install (bootonly) sized ISO Disc Images, as well as regular and mini USB memory stick images.
FreeBSD 10.0-RELEASE
| Installer Images | Documentation |
|---|---|
|
FreeBSD 9.3-RELEASE
| Installer Images | Documentation |
|---|---|
|
FreeBSD 8.4-RELEASE
| Installer Images | Documentation |
|---|---|
|
Development Snapshots of FreeBSD
| 11.0-CURRENT | 10.1-PRERELEASE |
|---|---|
| Virtual Machine Images | |
If you plan on getting FreeBSD via HTTP or FTP, please check the listing of mirror sites in the handbook to see if there is a site closer to you.
Install FreeBSD
There are many options for installing FreeBSD, including installation from CD-ROM, DVD, USB Memory Stick or even directly using anonymous FTP, HTTP, or NFS. Depending on the FreeBSD version you want to install, please read through the FreeBSD 9.X/10.X installation guide or the FreeBSD 8.X installation guide before downloading the entire FreeBSD distribution.
If you are interested in a purely experimental snapshot release of FreeBSD-CURRENT (AKA 11.0-CURRENT), aimed at developers and bleeding-edge testers only, then please see the FreeBSD Snapshot Releases page. For more information about past, present and future releases in general, please visit the release information page.
Release Information
Detailed descriptions of past, present, and future releases. Look here first to determine what the latest version of FreeBSD is.
Purchase FreeBSD Media
FreeBSD can be acquired on CD-ROM or DVD from FreeBSD Mall, or one of the other CD-ROM and DVD Publishers.
Past Releases
For downloading past releases, please visit the FTP archive.
FreeBSD-derived Operating System Distributions
FreeBSD is widely used as a building block for other commercial and open-source operating systems. The projects below are widely used and of particular interest to FreeBSD users.
FreeNAS is an open source storage platform based on FreeBSD and supports sharing across Windows, Apple, and UNIX-like systems.
PC-BSD is a FreeBSD derivative with a graphical installer and impressive desktop tools aimed at ease of use for the casual computer user.
pfSense is a free, open source customized distribution of FreeBSD tailored for use as a firewall and router.
Applications and Utility Software
The Ports Collection
The FreeBSD Ports Collection is a diverse collection of utility and application software that has been ported to FreeBSD.
- FreeBSD Ports Collection
- Web interface to the Ports Collection
- FreshPorts - a more advanced web interface to the Ports Collection
For information about how you can contribute your favorite piece of software to the Ports Collection, have a look at The Porter's Handbook and the article Contributing to FreeBSD.