DeskRest for Windows: is there a PC version?
No — DeskRest is macOS-only. As of July 2026 the app requires macOS 14.2 or newer, and the developer has not announced a Windows build. If you found a "deskrest.exe" download somewhere, it is not an official release. Windows users looking for the same break-and-posture routine have three solid free options below.
Why there's no Windows build
DeskRest is written as a native Mac menu-bar app by a solo developer — it leans on macOS-specific frameworks for its low battery drain and system-level break overlays. Porting that to Windows would mean a near-complete rewrite, which is a lot to ask of a one-person team that has been shipping Mac releases since late 2024. Searches for a PC version keep growing, so this page tracks the situation: if a Windows build is ever announced, you'll read it here and in the changelog first.
The 3 best DeskRest alternatives for Windows (2026)
All three are free, open source, and cover the core job — scheduled micro-breaks that actually interrupt you:
| App | Price | Platforms | Strongest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stretchly | Free (open source) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Closest feature match: micro-breaks + long breaks, fully configurable |
| Workrave | Free (open source) | Windows, Linux | RSI-focused veteran with exercise prompts and daily limits |
| BreakTimer | Free (open source) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Simplest setup — one break schedule, clean full-screen prompts |
Pick Stretchly if you want the closest overall match; Workrave if RSI exercises matter; BreakTimer if you want zero configuration. A deeper comparison including paid Mac apps lives on thealternatives page.
Watch out for fake "deskrest.exe" downloads
Because the app has no Windows installer, any .exe carrying the name comes from a third party — treat it as malware until proven otherwise. The only official distribution channels are the developer's site, the Mac App Store, and the signed GitHub releases; we list all three with checksums context inIs DeskRest safe?
Could you run it in a macOS virtual machine?
Technically curious readers ask this a lot, and the honest answer is: don't bother. Running macOS on non-Apple hardware sits in a licensing gray zone, the VM setup takes hours, and a break reminder needs to sit quietly in your real system tray — not inside a virtualized window you'll minimize and forget. For a utility in the $15 price class, a native Windows alternative from the table above is the practical choice every time.
On a Mac after all?
If you're reading this on a MacBook, you're in luck: lifetime licenses start at $14.99 and theWELCOME40 code takes 40% off. Start with thepricing breakdown to pick a tier.