How to Install Kodi for Windows PC in Two Minutes (Kodi 19 Matrix)

Looking for an easy way to install the powerful Kodi media center on your Windows PC or laptop? You‘ve come to the right place!

This simple, step-by-step guide will show you how to get the latest version of Kodi up and running on your Windows 10 or 11 computer in just a couple minutes.

But first, let‘s quickly discuss what makes Kodi so great and why you should install it on your Windows machine.

Why Put Kodi on Your Windows PC?

Kodi began in 2002 as the Xbox Media Center (XBMC) and has evolved into an award-winning free and open source media player.

Here are some key benefits of installing Kodi on your Windows computer:

• Stream Free Movies & TV Shows – Access thousands of free movies, TV shows, and documentaries with Kodi add-ons like The Crew, Seren, and many more.

• Watch Live Sports – Never miss a game again! Kodi live sports add-ons stream free NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, Soccer, UFC, WWE, and much more.

• Listen to Music – Kodi has fantastic music add-ons like BeatZone that make it easy to listen to any artist or album imaginable for free.

• View Live TV – Cut the cord with cable TV bills by streaming free live TV channels from around the world on Kodi.

• Play Retro Video Games – Relive your childhood with Kodi‘s wide range of video game system emulators and ROMs.

• Media Center Features – Manage your local media library of movies, shows, music, and photos. Includes media info scrapers, metadata editing, automatic artwork, and more.

• Cross-Platform Support – Kodi works great on Windows PC plus tons of other platforms like Firestick, Android devices, iOS, Raspberry Pi, and more. Sync your library across all your devices.

• Customization & Skins – Change the look and feel of Kodi by choosing from hundreds of skins. Plus customize via add-ons and tweaks.

• It‘s 100% Free! – Kodi is completely free and open source software. No subscription fees or costs involved.

Kodi essentially puts all your digital media and entertainment options into one easy-to-use application. And running it on a Windows PC provides optimal performance and convenience.

According to the 2022 Kodi Usage Survey, Windows is the most popular Kodi platform with 44.7% of users running it on a Windows PC or laptop.

Now let‘s go over a few quick things to check before installing Kodi on Windows.

Pre-Installation Tips for Kodi on Windows

While Kodi works on most standard Windows PCs, here are a few pre-install checks to ensure everything goes smoothly:

• Update Windows – Make sure your Windows 10 or Windows 11 is fully updated by going to Settings > Windows Update. Install all available system updates.

• Clear Disk Space – Kodi will need about 100-200 MB of free disk space. Remove unneeded files to free up room.

• Allow Unknown Sources – You‘ll need this enabled to install unofficial Kodi add-ons later. Go to Settings > Apps > Allow apps from unknown sources.

• Download Latest Kodi – We‘ll download Kodi directly from the official site at https://kodi.tv to ensure you get the newest version. As of this writing, that is Kodi 19 Matrix.

• Use a VPN – I highly recommend using a VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN when streaming copyrighted content on Kodi. This keeps you protected and anonymous.

Okay, let‘s get Kodi installed on your Windows PC!

Step 1 – Download the Kodi Installer

First, you‘ll need to download the Kodi installer file for Windows from the official Kodi website:

1. Open your web browser and go to https://kodi.tv

2. Click the "Download" button in the top right corner.

3. Under "Choose your platform" click the icon for Windows.

4. Select the "Installer (64bit)" download for a standard Windows PC.

The Kodi installer is quite small, only around 20-50 MB, so it should download very quickly.

Once downloaded, you‘ll find the Kodi installer in your browser‘s downloads folder or at the bottom of the screen.

Now let‘s get it installed.

Step 2 – Run the Kodi Windows Installer

Installing Kodi on Windows works just like any other computer program. Simply launch the installer file and follow the prompts:

1. Launch the Kodi installer you just downloaded.

2. Click "Yes" on the User Account Control prompt if it appears.

3. On the Kodi Setup Wizard, click "Next" to begin.

4. Accept the Kodi licensing terms and click "Next" to continue.

5. Choose your install location, or stick with the default of C:\Program Files. Click "Next".

6. Make sure "Install" is selected on the next screen and click it to begin.

That‘s all there is to it! Just wait a few minutes for the installer to fully copy and extract the Kodi files on your Windows PC.

Once finished, you can launch Kodi right away to start setting up your new media center.

Step 3 – Run Kodi for the First Time

When Kodi first opens, you‘ll be asked to choose a user profile. Here‘s how to get started:

1. For your first time, choose "New User" to create a profile. Enter a name.

2. On the Set up Kodi screen, choose your preferred language.

3. Select your media sources like Videos, Music, Pictures, and Programs. Click "OK".

4. Choose the default skin or explore the various skin options.

5. Configure any other Kodi settings to your liking at this stage.

And that‘s it! Kodi will now open to the main menu screen and is ready for action.

Next I‘ll cover some recommended post-installation steps.

Post-Install Tips for Kodi on Windows

Here are some suggestions for things to try after getting Kodi set up on your Windows PC:

• Install Add-Ons – Add-ons are what make Kodi so powerful. Must-have video add-ons include The Crew, Seren, and Venom. For music, check out BeatZone and Spotify. See my top Kodi addons guide.

• Get a Skin – Change up the look and feel of Kodi by installing a cool skin like Arctic Zephyr 2, Titan Bingie, or Aeon Nox Silvo. Skins are fully customizable.

• Tweak Settings – Dive into Kodi‘s settings menu and tailor options like media libraries, playback, appearance, profiles, synchronization, and more.

• Set Up Live TV – With add-ons like The Crew and Rising Tides, you can stream tons of free live TV channels from around the world. A must for cord cutters!

• Link Trakt.tv – Connect your Trakt account in Kodi settings to sync your media library across devices, get watchlists, and keep track of your TV & movie progress.

• Enjoy Music – Install fantastic music add-ons like BeatZone, Spotify, Radio International, and SpinCycle to listen to any song or music genre for free in Kodi.

• Get a Remote – A wireless keyboard like the Logitech K400 makes navigating Kodi on your PC super convenient. For media playback control, the Logitech Harmony is unbeatable.

And check out my Complete Kodi Setup Guide for even more tips and tricks.

Now let‘s go over some potential issues and troubleshooting steps.

Kodi on Windows Troubleshooting

Kodi is generally very stable on Windows, but here are some common problems and fixes:

• Can‘t install add-ons – Make sure "Unknown Sources" is enabled in Kodi settings and try a different repository.

• Videos not playing – Double check your video codec drivers are up to date and enable "Allow hardware acceleration" in Kodi settings.

• Scraping issues – If Kodi struggles to download media info and artwork, try adjusting scrape settings or switch to a more robust scraper add-on.

• Buffering or crashes – Buffering is typically a network issue – use a wired connection or boost your WiFi signal. For crashes, update your graphics drivers.

• Slow interface – Turn off unnecessary background services, enable "Limit GUI Effects" in settings, or consider upgrading to a lighter Kodi skin.

• Windows won‘t boot – In rare cases, the Kodi bootloader can interfere with Windows startup. You‘ll need to access Safe Mode and uninstall Kodi.

Don‘t hesitate to contact me or the official Kodi forums if you run into any trouble!

Next up, let‘s discuss some important things to know about privacy, security, and legality when using Kodi.

Kodi on Windows Privacy & Security Guide

I always recommend taking precautions to keep your identity and data safe when using Kodi:

• Use a VPN – A VPN like Surfshark or NordVPN will encrypt all of your Kodi streaming activity and hide your IP address. This prevents snooping by your ISP, government, or copyright enforcers.

• Enable SSL verification in Kodi settings to only connect to secure, encrypted sources. This protects against man-in-the-middle attacks.

• Create a strong Kodi password for your user account and don‘t share it with others. This prevents access if your device is lost or stolen.

• Turn off UPnP sharing if you want to block access to your Kodi libraries from other devices on your network.

• Use a reputable antivirus program like Malwarebytes to scan your Windows PC if you notice any suspicious Kodi behavior.

• Back up your library periodically so you never lose your Kodi content.

Follow these tips and you can use Kodi securely and safely on your Windows machine.

Is Kodi Legal? Here‘s What You Need to Know

There‘s a lot of debate around the legality of Kodi. Here‘s what users need to understand:

• The Kodi software itself is 100% legal. It‘s free open source media player software.

• However, some 3rd party add-ons enable free access to pirated movies, shows, and sports streams. These are illegal.

• Downloading copyright-protected content through Kodi is generally illegal, regardless of the source.

• Most countries have legal grey areas around streaming copyrighted material versus downloading.

• Using Kodi to access your own legally purchased content is perfectly legal. Same goes for free public domain media.

• A good rule of thumb is to avoid addons that provide illegal content and only stream from reputable sources. Using a VPN helps reduce your risk.

We all love free media, but it‘s smart to be informed on the legalities involved and protect yourself accordingly.

Now, let‘s explore some additional Kodi resources to take your media setup to the next level.

Additional Kodi for Windows Resources

To get the most out of Kodi on your Windows PC, be sure to check out the following resources:

• My Complete Setup Guide for Kodi – Steps for installing addons, skins, tweaking settings, and streaming free movies, shows, sports and more

• The Ultimate Kodi Troubleshooting Guide for any issues or errors you run into

• Recommended Kodi Accessories like wireless keyboards, remotes, and more for the optimal Windows Kodi experience

• How to Reset Kodi on Windows to clear out any addons, databases, and start fresh

• Kodi Windows Alternatives like Plex, Emby, and Stremio for other free streaming options

• The Official Kodi Wiki packed with documentation, tutorials, and community forums

• The /r/Kodi subreddit to engage with other Windows Kodi users and swap tips

• My email newsletter for insider info and updates on the best new Kodi addons

Installing Kodi truly opens up a world of multimedia possibilities right on your Windows PC. I hope this guide has shown you how quick and easy it is to set up.

Now get out there and start streaming! Just don‘t forget to protect your privacy with a good VPN.

If you run into any hiccups during the install process or have questions down the road, please reach out and I‘ll help get you squared away. Enjoy!