What Vencord is and why people use it
Vencord is a modification for Discord that runs on your computer and adds features the official Discord app does not have. It lets you customize how Discord looks and behaves — things like hiding certain UI elements, changing colors, adding message search tools, or getting notifications in different ways. Vencord itself is free and open-source, meaning anyone can read its code to see what it does.
The trade-off is that Vencord is not made or supported by Discord. Discord's terms of service say you should not use client modifications, though enforcement is inconsistent. Using Vencord carries a small risk: Discord could theoretically disable your account, though this is rare for modifications that do not cheat in games or steal data. You should understand this risk before you install it.
Vencord works only on Windows, macOS, and Linux — not on phones or tablets. It replaces the official Discord client on your computer, so you will have only one or the other running at a time.
Key Takeaways
- Vencord is a free modification that adds customization features to Discord on desktop computers only.
- You download and run an installer from Vencord's official website, which then modifies your Discord installation.
- Discord's terms of service prohibit client mods, so using Vencord carries a small risk of account suspension, though it is uncommon.
- You can uninstall Vencord and return to the official Discord client at any time by running the installer again.
- Vencord does not log your passwords or messages — the code is public and reviewed by the community.
Before you install: check your operating system and Discord version
Vencord works on Windows 10 and later, macOS 10.13 and later, and most Linux distributions. If you are not sure which version of Windows or macOS you have, open your system settings and search for "version" or "about".
You must have the official Discord app already installed on your computer. Vencord modifies that installation rather than replacing it entirely. If you use Discord only in your web browser, you will need to download the desktop app first from discord.com/download.
Close Discord completely before you start the installation. Check your system tray (the small icons in the bottom-right corner on Windows, or the top-right on macOS) to make sure no Discord process is still running.
Download and run the Vencord installer
Go to vencord.dev in your web browser. On the home page, you will see a button labeled "Download" or "Install". Click it. The site will detect your operating system and offer you the correct installer file.
On Windows, you will download a file named something like VencordInstaller.exe. On macOS, it will be a .dmg file. On Linux, it will be an .AppImage file or a shell script depending on your distribution. Save this file to your Downloads folder or wherever you normally save files.
Once the download finishes, open the installer file. On Windows, double-click the .exe file. On macOS, double-click the .dmg file and then double-click the installer inside. On Linux, right-click the .AppImage file, choose Properties, go to the Permissions tab, check "Allow executing file as program", then double-click it to run.
Complete the installation wizard
The installer will open a window with step-by-step instructions. On the first screen, it will ask you to confirm that you want to install Vencord. Read the warning about Discord's terms of service — this is your chance to back out if you are uncomfortable with the risk.
The installer will then ask you to choose where your Discord installation is located. In most cases, it will find it automatically. If it does not, you will need to browse to it manually. On Windows, Discord is usually in C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Discord. On macOS, it is usually in /Applications/Discord.app. On Linux, it depends on how you installed Discord, but it is often in ~/.config/Discord or /opt/Discord.
Once you confirm the location, the installer will modify your Discord installation. This takes a few seconds to a minute. When it finishes, you will see a confirmation message. Click "Done" or "Close" to exit the installer.
Launch Discord and verify Vencord is working
Open Discord as you normally would. On Windows, search for Discord in the Start menu. On macOS, open Applications and double-click Discord. On Linux, run the Discord command or click its icon in your application menu.
When Discord opens, look for a small icon or button that says "Vencord" or shows a settings gear. This is usually in the top-left or bottom-left corner of the window, or in the user settings menu. Click it to open Vencord's settings panel. If you see this panel, Vencord is installed and working.
In the Vencord settings, you will see a list of plugins and themes you can turn on or off. Plugins add new features; themes change how Discord looks. Start with a few simple ones to get a feel for what Vencord can do. You can turn any of them off at any time without breaking anything.
Uninstall Vencord if you change your mind
If you want to go back to the official Discord client, run the Vencord installer again. This time, it will offer you the option to uninstall. Click "Uninstall" and follow the prompts. This removes Vencord's modifications and restores Discord to its original state. Your account, messages, and settings are not affected.
After uninstalling, close Discord completely and open it again. It should now look and behave like the standard Discord app.
Common problems and how to fix them
The installer says it cannot find Discord. Make sure Discord is fully closed, including any background processes. On Windows, open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc), look for any process with "Discord" in the name, right-click it, and choose "End Task". Then try the installer again. If it still cannot find Discord, you may need to reinstall Discord itself from discord.com/download.
Discord crashes when you open it after installing Vencord. This is usually caused by a plugin or theme that conflicts with your system. Open Discord in safe mode by holding Shift while you launch it (on Windows) or by running it with the --safe-mode flag (on Linux). Then go to Vencord settings, turn off all plugins and themes, and turn them back on one at a time to find the culprit.
You see a warning that Discord is not up to date. Vencord sometimes requires a newer version of Discord than you have installed. Open the official Discord app (if you still have it) or go to discord.com/download and download the latest version. Close Discord completely, run the installer, and let it update.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Discord detect that I am using Vencord?
Discord can see that your client is modified, but they do not actively scan for Vencord specifically. Enforcement is rare and usually targets modifications that cheat in games or steal data. Vencord does neither, so the risk is low — but it is not zero. If you are worried about account suspension, do not install it.
Will Vencord steal my password or messages?
Vencord's code is public on GitHub, so anyone can read it and verify what it does. It does not log your password, messages, or any other data. That said, you are trusting that the version you download matches the public code. Download only from vencord.dev, not from other websites.
Do I need to reinstall Vencord every time Discord updates?
Usually not. Vencord is designed to survive Discord updates. However, if Discord makes a major change to how it works, Vencord may break temporarily until the Vencord team releases a fix. If Discord stops working after an update, run the Vencord installer again — it will repair the installation.
Can I use Vencord on my phone or tablet?
No. Vencord works only on Windows, macOS, and Linux. There are other Discord modifications for phones, but they are separate projects and carry their own risks. Stick with the official Discord app on mobile.
What is the difference between Vencord plugins and themes?
Plugins add new features or change how Discord behaves — things like new buttons, search tools, or notification options. Themes change only how Discord looks — colors, fonts, layout. You can use as many of both as you want, and turning them on or off does not affect your account or messages.