Our verdict: Code::Blocks is one of the easiest ways to start writing C or C++ on Windows. The recommended installer includes a compiler and debugger, so you can build a console program minutes after setup. Its interface is old-fashioned and releases are infrequent, so experienced developers often move to Visual Studio or VS Code.
About Code::Blocks
Code::Blocks is developed by a volunteer team and released under the GNU GPL v3. It is built with wxWidgets and organizes code in projects with their own build settings. The current release is 25.03.
The project recommends codeblocks-25.03mingw-setup.exe for Windows. It includes Code::Blocks with all plugins plus the GCC, G++, GFortran and Clang compilers and the GDB debugger from the WinLibs project, version 14.2.0. Other packages without a compiler are on the same page.
What it does well
- Bundled compiler. The MinGW bundle ships GCC/G++ 14.2.0, Clang and GDB from WinLibs.
- Project wizards. Templates for console apps, static and dynamic libraries and wxWidgets GUIs.
- Debugger. Breakpoints, watches, call stack, disassembly and memory views via GDB.
- Fast build system. Parallel builds and dependency tracking without makefiles.
- Plugins. Code completion, a class browser, code formatting and more come as plugins.
Who it is for
Good fit
Students and beginners learning C or C++, and anyone who wants a self-contained C/C++ setup.
Look elsewhere
Developers who need modern C++ tooling such as clangd-level code completion, CMake-first workflows or Git integration.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Compiler and debugger included
- Simple for beginners
- Fully open source
- Light on resources
Cons
- Dated interface
- Infrequent releases
- No built-in Git support
How to install Code::Blocks
On the official binaries page, choose codeblocks-25.03mingw-setup.exe in the 64-bit Windows table. It includes GCC 14.2.0, Clang and GDB from WinLibs and downloads from SourceForge or dAppCDN. Keep the default components. On first launch, let Code::Blocks auto-detect the bundled GNU GCC compiler and set it as default.
Questions about Code::Blocks
Is Code::Blocks free?
Yes. It is open source under the GNU GPL v3.
Which Code::Blocks installer should I download?
The project recommends codeblocks-25.03mingw-setup.exe, which includes the GCC/G++ compiler and GDB debugger from WinLibs, version 14.2.0.
Can Code::Blocks compile C and C++?
Yes. With the MinGW bundle it compiles C, C++ and Fortran out of the box.
