Gemini Windows App 2026 Requirements and Shortcuts

The Gemini Windows app is a dedicated Gemini app for Windows 10 and 11. Alt + Space opens it over the screen you are working on. Gmail and Google Drive integration and generation features vary by account conditions.

The release information is based on Google’s September 10, 2026 announcement.

What’s different about Gemini for Windows

You can now open Gemini without opening a web browser. You can request document drafts or summaries in a separate app. Google also introduced image and video generation in its launch announcement. It plans to roll out additional PC-specific features gradually. Google launch announcement

Gemini Windows app requirements

The app can run on Windows 10. You must also meet the memory and installation space requirements. A stable internet connection is required.

The memory and space figures come from Help Center guidance with no publication date. Check that document for any changes to the requirements. (Verified values: Windows 10 or later, at least 8GB RAM, and at least 200MB of available disk space for installation; currently published requirements · Source: support.google.com · checked 2026-09-29) For work or school accounts, an administrator must allow Gemini access. Windows app Help Center

How to install the Gemini Windows app

Get the official installer from the Gemini desktop page. The Windows installer is named GeminiSetup.exe. After installation, sign in with a Google account.

1. Go to the Gemini desktop page.
2. Select the Windows download and save the installer.
3. Open GeminiSetup.exe and follow the on-screen installation instructions.
4. Launch Gemini from the Start menu.
5. Sign in with the Google account you want to use.

If an update is available, a notification appears when you open the app. Use the notification’s restart option to apply the update. This procedure is described in the Windows app installation guide.

How to use the Gemini Windows app shortcut

The default shortcut is Alt + Space. It opens Gemini over the screen you are working on. You can change the shortcut in the app settings.

1. After installing the app and signing in, press Alt + Space.
2. Enter a question or writing request in the Gemini window that opens.
3. If you need a different key combination, change the shortcut in the app settings.

You can also launch the app from the taskbar or system tray icon. If the shortcut does not work as expected, try launching it from the icon. Then check the key combination in the Gemini settings. How to launch the desktop app

Comparing Windows and macOS features

Even though both use the Gemini desktop app, their PC integration features differ. The official page describes some features as available for macOS. It says additional features will be rolled out gradually for Windows.

The operating system distinctions in this table follow the official page. Being able to use Spark on Windows does not, by itself, guarantee folder access. Check the desktop features guide to distinguish the PC features actually available.

Gmail and Google Drive integration and account conditions

Integration features let you find and summarize emails and files. Google gave a project summary as an example in its launch announcement. Check that you are signed in to the account containing the material you want to use. Google’s explanation of integration features

App integration and Personal Intelligence have different scopes. Personal Intelligence tailors answers based on connected information. Separate eligibility and service availability conditions apply to this feature.

The Personal Intelligence help article does not list the desktop app as supported. The Windows launch alone therefore does not establish that all personalization features are available. Check the Personal Intelligence eligibility guide for actual availability.

Work and school accounts are subject to their organization’s Workspace conditions. Features and the level of data protection vary by license. Do not apply the personal account subscription table to them unchanged. Organization account guide

Subscription requirements for image and video generation

Image and video generation have different subscription requirements. The table below follows the Help Center’s feature availability table for personal accounts. Age and region requirements also affect actual availability.

The launch announcement added a footnote to Gemini Spark and Gemini Omni. The conditions in that footnote are as follows.

Google AI subscription required. Available to users at least 18 years old.

Document: Google, “Meet the Gemini app on Windows”

These conditions describe the features marked by that footnote. They do not mean the entire app is paid-only and restricted to people at least 18 years old. Check the subscription and limits Help Center for the latest distinctions by feature.

Are there usage limits with a paid subscription?

Usage limits also apply to paid subscriptions. The Help Center says the limits changed starting May 17, 2026. Before you reach the weekly limit, the limit refreshes every 5 hours.

Usage depends on the complexity of the question, the model, the feature, and the length of the conversation. Not every question can therefore be counted the same way. To check your remaining limit, select usage limits in the Gemini web settings. How usage is calculated and checked

The difference between disconnecting an app and deleting data

Disconnecting an app is not the same as deleting past Gemini activity. Previous conversations may remain even after you disconnect Gmail or Drive. Conversely, deleting Gemini activity leaves the original emails and files in place.

Keep this distinction in mind when changing connection settings. Changes to original material may take several days to appear in Gemini. This is based on the connected app data handling guide.

Is connected information used to train AI?

Information generated during personalization may be used for training. Google distinguishes this from directly training on your entire inbox. Instead, summaries, excerpts, and inferred information used in answers may be included.

The activity history setting affects this use. Some connected data may also be reviewed by people. A short email may itself count as a summary. Scope of training and review for connected data

Turning off activity history does not immediately erase all records. Subsequent chats are retained for 72 hours to provide the service and for other purposes. If you send feedback, the related conversation may be used for improvement. This is explained in the Privacy Hub, updated September 24, 2026.

Common mistakes about launching the app and accessing material

Do not assume that using the shortcut means Gemini has read the current document. The official guidance distinguishes opening the app from sharing on-screen context. If a request relies on material, check how that material is provided.

For example, to summarize a report, you must provide the report’s contents. You can do this by uploading the file or using a permitted Drive connection. This example is a practical interpretation based on the official feature distinctions. Windows features guide

Frequently asked questions

Is this an AI that runs on a PC without internet access?

The official requirements include a stable internet connection. Installing the Windows app does not make it an offline AI. Check the internet connection requirement along with the other installation requirements.

Can I create images with a free account?

Nano Banana image generation is also available to accounts without a subscription. Remaking images with Nano Banana Pro is a paid feature. Usage and availability follow the conditions for each feature.

Do conversations carry over between Windows and mobile?

Conversation history and memory sync if you use the same Google account. If you sign in with a different account, you will not see the same history. Syncing does not mean every PC feature has the same level of support.

Do I have to connect every app to use Gemini?

You can use Gemini without connecting apps. Whether apps are connected affects the scope of features based on personal information. Using public web information is separate from integrating a personal account.

Do the privacy conditions for personal accounts also apply to company accounts?

Conditions for organization accounts vary by Workspace license. You should also check whether enterprise-grade data protection applies. Applying the training and review explanations for personal accounts across the board would be inaccurate.

Where can I check the RAM and installation space figures again?

You can check them in the Gemini app for Windows Help Center. The current document requires at least 8GB RAM. The installation space requirement is at least 200MB of available space.