How to download MSI Afterburner

MSI Afterburner is an excellent program for video cards, not only cards by MSI, that can best be described as an overlocking/underclocking utility for Windows with extra features baked into the application.
My first review of MSI Afterburner dates back to 2010, followed by a tutorial in 2011 on recording game video using the software. While many MSI Afterburner users use the software to get more out of their video cards, I liked its ability to create fan profiles to reduce the noise emitted by the video card's fans.
If you have been to the MSI Afterburner website lately, you may have noticed that you cannot download the program anymore. There is a download link, but clicking on it does nothing. I tried it in different browsers and even on different systems, and the result was always disappointing.
Technically speaking, MSI is linking to a ZIP file that no longer exists on the linked page. You can verify that by checking the source of the page and searching for "zip". You find the download link but when you load it manually, you get a file not found error. The page needs to be updated, but since that has not happened for quite some time, it is unlikely that it is going to happen anytime soon.
Feel free to share your experience in the comment section below.
There is a way to download MSI Afterburner from the official site. You can also check out downloads on third-party sites, but if you prefer to download from an official site, this is what you may do.
Download MSI Afterburner for Windows
While the download is broken on MSI Afterburner's main site, it is not broken on another official MSI site. Your best bet is to use that site instead of the official site to download the latest stable version or beta of MSI Afterburner. Here is how that is done:
- Load https://de.msi.com/Landing/afterburner in your browser of choice. It is the German landing page of the program. Unlike the English version, it is listing direct download links that actually work. The downloaded program is in English, but you can switch to another language in the settings.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page to the MSI Afterburner download sections.
- Select the download button of the stable version or the beta version. The official ZIP file is downloaded.
- Extract the zip archive on your system and run the installer.
MSI Afterburner is installed on the device and you can start using the software.
Closing Words
The design of the official MSI Afterburner download page is a good example of how a download page should not be designed. The resource-intensive page with its custom cursor is one thing, breaking the download link is another.
Now You: have you used MSI Afterburner in the past?


Does it come back after every “moment” update?
Yeah right.. Like this is going to stop defender from running =) This is comedy gold right here.
no ‘about the author’ paragraph?
For permanent disable defender is if removed complete from system no just change permission folder.
Just this is joke.
simpler, load Autoruns (SysInternals)
– filter “Defender”
– untag all entries
– reboot
nothing has changed since my 1st modification years ago
I wouldn’t disable Defender imho, it has too many hidden roots inside Windows itself. One time I tried to uninstall it using brute force scripts and then the Onedrive feature stopped working definitely. A reinstallation was needed and since those times I prefer to maintain Defender untouched. It’s a better method to install another antivirus and it will disable Defender in a safer and easier mode (e.g., Avast is the best in this way, and also Panda Cloud Free is good too).
You can not stop defender from running in background or remove it without some penalty. All you can do is to limit telemetry.
@borts,
It’s probably Smartscreen which is preventing WD from being disabled. Get rid of that and the problem should be solved: https://thegeekpage.com/disable-windows-defender-smartscreen/#How_to_disable_the_Windows_Defender_SmartScreen_via_Local_Group_Policy_Editor
Remove Windows and go for Linux.
Linux sucks dude. Besides it’s not comparable to Windows, these OSes are in different classes entirely.
I use Linux as my daily driver. It’s far more stable than Windows. When’s the last time you used Linux, 2010?
@basingstoke
You’re right, dude. Bro, linux is just a bunch of code that starts before the OS, dude. Brobrodude, that shit ain’t even got emojis, dudebrodudeman! Dudebro, it’s no way near as cool as Windows with its hardcoded abilities to make money off the user, bro. Yo brodude man, you’re the coolest dude ever man, bro. Dude.
Lol what? Windows 7 doesn’t come with any Emojis
Download Autoruns and remove the checkmark from Windows Defender. It doesn’t remove it, but it will never run. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/autoruns
Just use “Defender Control”:
https://www.sordum.org/9480/defender-control-v2-1/comment-page-1/#comments
Per this video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLIjr7FyxZ8
it also works on Windows 11 too…
Win Defender, is completly the most succesful free-built in antivirus of Microsoft. Really nice product. Saved my ass a lot of times. Has updated malware database, completly strong defence
from whatever smart screen disables. Or if you want better and more upgrated (paid) program,
you can go further. But defender is always on your side.
Why would one disable Windows (or Microsoft) Defender in the first place?. I consider this to be playing with fire big time. Everybody knows that if one is using another A-V, Defender will be disabled on its own and won’t be in one’s way.
Why would I want to disable Windows Defender in the first place? It’s a great anti virus in my opinion. Been using it since Windows 8 and and never had a problem or a virus. Why mess with a good thing, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
How a ridiculous article!
I am thoroughly stunned.
Why Should You Disable First-Party Windows Defender?
I can only think that it is “malice or perversely intention (want you to buy a third-party AV where you can expect a back margin)” to guide invalidation without showing the premise.
No sane company will use third-party closed source programs (such as AV).
As I thought, “Ghacks Technology News” seems to be coming to downfall.