photogimp.org
3.1 · GIMP 3.2.6

Install guide

How to install PhotoGIMP

Installing PhotoGIMP means copying a few settings files into the folder GIMP reads at startup. Almost every failed install comes down to one thing: the files went into the wrong folder. This page tells you the right one.

Checked with PhotoGIMP 3.1 · GIMP 3.2.6Updated Tested on Windows, macOS and Linux5 min read
On this page 8 sections
  1. Find your folder and commands
  2. The one rule: the folder is named after your GIMP version
  3. Every settings folder, by system
  4. Before you start
  5. Which zip do you need?
  6. How to tell it worked
  7. Install guides by system
  8. Questions

Short answer

The short version

  1. Install GIMP 3 from gimp.org, start it once and close it. That creates its settings folder.
  2. Download PhotoGIMP.zip (Windows and macOS) or PhotoGIMP-linux.zip (Linux) from GitHub and extract it.
  3. Copy what is inside its 3.0 folder into GIMP’s settings folder for your version: 3.2 for GIMP 3.2, 3.0 for GIMP 3.0. Replace the files when asked.
  4. On GIMP 3.2 only: rename the Paths tool in toolrc before you start GIMP (why), or use the commands below, which do it for you.
  5. Start GIMP. The splash says PhotoGIMP and the toolbox is one column starting with Move.

Installing GIMP 3.2 for the first time? Put the zip’s 3.0 folder into GIMP’s settings folder before you start GIMP the first time, and GIMP migrates it and applies the 3.2 fix itself. Tested on all four systems.

Find your folder and commands

Choose your system, GIMP version and how you installed GIMP. The commands make a backup first, check that the download is the real 3.1 release, copy the files and apply the GIMP 3.2 fix. We pasted the install command shown for GIMP 3.2 on Windows 11, Windows Server 2025, macOS 15 and Linux, exactly as you would; under each command the path finder says whether we ran that exact combination.

Install path finderruns in your browser
Your system
GIMP version (Help → About GIMP)
How GIMP was installed
PhotoGIMP version

The one rule: the folder is named after your GIMP version

GIMP keeps its settings in a folder named after its first two version numbers. GIMP 3.0.8 reads 3.0. GIMP 3.2.0 to 3.2.6 read 3.2. The PhotoGIMP zip always contains a folder called 3.0, because it was made for GIMP 3.0. So on GIMP 3.2 you copy the contents of that folder into 3.2.

The PhotoGIMP zip contains a folder named 3.0. Its contents go into the folder named after your GIMP version: 3.0 for GIMP 3.0, 3.2 for GIMP 3.2. A 3.0 folder placed next to 3.2 is ignored. PhotoGIMP.zip 3.0/ shortcutsrc, toolrc, sessionrc, gimprc … copy what is inside GIMP’s settings folder (%APPDATA%\GIMP, ~/.config/GIMP …) 3.2/ read by GIMP 3.2.x 3.0/ read by GIMP 3.0.x only A 3.0 folder next to 3.2 GIMP 3.2 ignores it. Nothing changes. GIMP 3.2 GIMP 3.0
What goes where. Copying the 3.0 folder itself next to 3.2 is the most common reason “nothing changed”.

You can check your version in GIMP under Help → About GIMP. If you have more than one GIMP installed, each version has its own folder, and PhotoGIMP only affects the one you copy it into.

Every settings folder, by system

SystemHow GIMP was installedGIMP 3.2 settings folderChecked by us
Windows 10 and 11Installer from gimp.org%APPDATA%\GIMP\3.2That is C:\Users\you\AppData\Roaming\GIMP\3.2. Not AppData\Local, which GIMP also creates.Windows 11, Server 2025 and 2022
Microsoft Store%APPDATA%\GIMP\3.2the same folder as the installer version, not a private app folderServer 2025, Store 3.2.60.0
GIMP PortableGIMPPortable\Data\GimpAppDatafor the PortableApps.com package; other portable builds: check in GIMP, see the portable guideServer 2025, Portable 3.2.6 Rev 3
macOSDMG from gimp.org~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/3.2macOS 15, Apple Silicon and Intel
Homebrew (brew install --cask gimp)same as the DMGmacOS 15, Apple Silicon
LinuxAppImage, distro package~/.config/GIMP/3.2AppImage, Ubuntu 24.04distro packages not tested
Flatpak (Flathub)~/.config/GIMP/3.2the Flathub build is allowed to use this folder (--filesystem=xdg-config/GIMP:create)Ubuntu 24.04, Flathub 3.2.6
Snap~/.config/GIMP/3.2your real home folder, not ~/snap/gimp/…Ubuntu 24.04, Snap 3.2.6
Older guides: Flatpak~/.var/app/org.gimp.GIMP/config/GIMP/…outdated for current Flathub buildsnot used: stayed empty

For GIMP 3.0, replace 3.2 with 3.0. If you are unsure, the path finder’s Ask GIMP command makes GIMP print the folder it actually uses.

Before you start

  1. Use GIMP 3

    PhotoGIMP 3.1 needs GIMP 3.0 or newer. The current version is GIMP 3.2.6 (September 10, 2026). PhotoGIMP does not work with GIMP 2.10.

  2. Start GIMP once, then close it

    GIMP creates its settings folder on the first start. Without it there is nowhere to copy PhotoGIMP. Close GIMP completely before copying, because GIMP rewrites some of these files when it quits.

  3. Back up if you customized GIMP

    PhotoGIMP replaces your shortcuts, toolbox order, window layout and some preferences. Your brushes, fonts, palettes, plug-ins and scripts are not touched. Our commands make a backup automatically; by hand, copy the version folder somewhere safe.

  4. Download from GitHub only

    PhotoGIMP has no official website. Get the zip from github.com/Diolinux/PhotoGIMP/releases. Our download page lists the files and their SHA-256 hashes.

Which zip do you need?

FileForWhat is inside
PhotoGIMP.zipWindows and macOSOne folder, 3.0, with the settings files
PhotoGIMP-linux.zipLinuxPhotoGIMP-linux/.config/GIMP/3.0 with the same files, plus a launcher and icons in .local. No install.sh in 3.1, even though the README mentions one.
photogimp.icoWindows, optionalThe PhotoGIMP logo as an icon for your GIMP shortcut

How to tell it worked

  • The splash screen while GIMP loads shows PhotoGIMP by Diolinux.
  • The toolbox is one column on the left: Move, Rectangle Select, Free Select, Fuzzy Select, Crop, Scale, Color Picker, Healing, Paintbrush and so on.
  • Pressing V selects the Move tool and B the Paintbrush.
  • GIMP shows its “You installed GIMP 3.2.6!” welcome, usually once. That is expected: PhotoGIMP’s settings say they were made for GIMP 3.0.
This is what you should see: one column of tools, docks on the right, a dark grey canvas border.
Real screenshot · Linux (Ubuntu 24.04, X11) · GIMP 3.2.6 AppImageThis is what you should see: one column of tools, docks on the right, a dark grey canvas border.PhotoGIMP: 3.1 + our 3.2 repair · taken 2026-10-31

Only the splash changed, or nothing changed? See troubleshooting. The toolbox is still a grid? That is the GIMP 3.2 toolbox problem.

Install guides by system

WindowsExplorer step by step with screenshots from Windows 11, or one PowerShell paste. macOSFinder or Terminal. Includes the Finder “Merge” trap and the network prompt. LinuxFlatpak, distro packages, AppImage, Snap and the install.sh script.

Questions

Do I need to install GIMP first?

Yes. PhotoGIMP is not a program; it changes GIMP’s settings. Install GIMP 3 from gimp.org (or your Linux software center), start it once so it creates its settings folder, then close it.

Where do I paste the PhotoGIMP files?

Into GIMP’s settings folder for your GIMP version: %APPDATA%\GIMP\3.2 on Windows, ~/Library/Application Support/GIMP/3.2 on macOS and ~/.config/GIMP/3.2 on Linux (use 3.0 instead of 3.2 for GIMP 3.0). Paste the contents of the zip’s 3.0 folder, not the folder itself.

Do I need administrator rights?

No. Everything happens in your own user folder. Do not run the commands as administrator or with sudo; that can create the files with the wrong owner.

Will PhotoGIMP delete my brushes or plug-ins?

No. It replaces shortcuts, the toolbox order, the window layout and some preferences. Brushes, patterns, fonts, palettes, plug-ins and scripts stay where they are.

How do I update PhotoGIMP?

Install the new release the same way. It overwrites the previous PhotoGIMP files. Because GIMP 3.2 support is only on the master branch for now, check releases before updating.

Can I install PhotoGIMP with Chocolatey?

You can, but we do not recommend it today: the Chocolatey package is still PhotoGIMP 3.0.0 and extracts into a 3.0 folder, which GIMP 3.2 ignores once it has its own 3.2 folder. We tested it on Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025. Chocolatey test details.

Keep going

Install on WindowsStep by step for Windows 10 and 11, tested on Windows 11.Install on MacFinder and Terminal methods, tested on macOS 15.Install on LinuxFlatpak, distro packages, AppImage and install.sh.GIMP 3.2 fixWhy PhotoGIMP 3.1 half-works on GIMP 3.2, and the tested fix.TroubleshootingNothing changed, only the splash changed, it will not launch: fixes.Uninstall & resetRemove PhotoGIMP, restore a backup, or reset GIMP to defaults.

Found something wrong or out of date? Tell us: hello@photogimp.org. We fix mistakes within a day.