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Netflix no longer supports offline downloads in its current Windows app. If Download and Downloads have disappeared, that is expected behavior—not a storage problem or a broken installation.
There was a workaround based on sideloading the older Netflix app, but it is no longer dependable. The old app began producing sign-in errors for many users, and Netflix now says there is no supported way to return to it. For reliable offline viewing, you need an Android device, iPhone or iPad, Amazon Fire tablet, or a compatible Chromebook.
What changed in the Netflix Windows app?
Netflix replaced the download-capable Windows app with a newer version. The current app still supports streaming, but downloads were removed. Netflix says the newer Windows app adds support for live events, improved streaming quality, and ad-supported plans.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsNetflix’s own support page gives a direct answer when the download controls are missing: the computer is using the new app version, and there is no way to go back through Netflix.
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Windows PCs, Windows tablets, web browsers, and the current Windows Netflix app are not on Netflix’s supported list for offline downloads. Installing Netflix from the Microsoft Store or opening Netflix.com therefore will not restore the feature.
Check that you are using the current app
To install the supported Windows version:
- Open Start.
- Select Store.
- Select Search, type Netflix, and press Enter.
- Select Netflix in the search results.
- Select Install.
- Open Netflix from the Start menu and select Sign In.
Netflix lists the app as compatible with Windows 10 and later. Microsoft Edge must also be installed, even if you normally watch Netflix in Chrome, Firefox, or another browser.
Do not expect this installation to provide a download button. The current app is intended for streaming only on Windows.
The old-app workaround—and why it is not a good current fix
In 2024, users circulated a method for removing the current app and manually installing the older native Windows app, commonly identified as version 6.99.5.0. That version still had download functionality at the time.
The commonly posted PowerShell command was:
Add-AppxPackage .Downloads4DF9E0F8.Netflix_6.99.5.0_neutral_~_mcm4njqhnhss8.AppxBundleThis command does not download Netflix or locate the package for you. It works only if an AppX bundle with that exact name is already in the current user’s Downloads folder. If the file is elsewhere or has a different name, the path must be changed. For example:
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Add-AppxPackage "C:UsersYourNameDownloadsactual-file-name.AppxBundle"However, manually installing the old package is not a reliable present-day solution:
- Netflix explicitly says there is no way to return to the old app from the new version.
- Reports from September 2024 showed the old app failing at sign-in with error C1-U7135-1957-205007, even when the same account worked on Netflix’s website.
- Turning off Microsoft Store updates cannot restore Netflix’s server-side support for an obsolete client.
- Obtaining an old AppX bundle from an untrusted source creates a separate security risk.
If you already have the old package and choose to test it, treat it as an unsupported experiment rather than a fix. It may install successfully and still fail when Netflix authenticates the app.
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No Download icon or Downloads section
This normally means the current Windows app is installed. Reinstalling it, resetting it, or changing the download location will not bring back offline viewing.
VC2-CV1-ER
Netflix documents this message as:
Download Error
There was a problem with this download. (VC2-CV1-ER)
Netflix’s prescribed action is to install the new app from the Microsoft Store. For offline playback, Netflix directs users to a different supported device.
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C1-U7135-1957-205007
This error has been associated with the old sideloaded Windows app failing to sign in. It is a sign that keeping an old local package is not enough; the client also has to remain compatible with Netflix’s authentication and service infrastructure.
Where Netflix downloads still work
Netflix currently supports downloads on these device types:
| Device | Download support |
|---|---|
| Android phone or tablet | Supported |
| iPhone or iPad | Supported |
| Amazon Fire tablet | Supported |
| Chromebook with the Google Play Store | Supported |
| Windows PC or tablet | Not supported |
| Netflix in a web browser | Not supported |
On an iPhone, iPad, Android device, or Fire tablet, open Downloads > See What You Can Download. On a compatible Chromebook, open Downloads > Find More to Download.
For a movie, select Download. For a TV show, select the download icon beside an episode. Where available, Download Season can download a whole season.
Limits and download problems on supported devices
Offline viewing still has restrictions even on supported hardware:
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- Not every movie or show can be downloaded. Licensing, regional rights, and content-provider restrictions can make a title unavailable.
- You must remain signed in to Netflix. Downloaded titles cannot be accessed offline after signing out.
- Ad-supported plans currently allow up to 15 total downloads per device per calendar month.
- Ad-free plans can have up to 100 active downloads per device, subject to the plan’s device limit.
- Uninstalling or resetting the Netflix app deletes downloads stored on that device. Clearing the app’s data does the same.
Common suggestions that do not restore Windows downloads
Installing Netflix as a browser app
Choosing a browser’s option to install Netflix creates a web app or shortcut. It does not recreate the former native Windows download client, and Netflix’s supported download list excludes Windows.
Downloading from Netflix.com
Netflix.com supports streaming on a Windows computer. Netflix does not document offline downloads through the Windows website.
Disabling Microsoft Store updates
The setting is available at Microsoft Store > Profile/account photo > Store Settings > App updates. It controls Store app updates, but it cannot make Netflix accept an obsolete app. Microsoft recommends leaving automatic updates enabled.
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Use the Windows app or Netflix.com for streaming, and move offline viewing to a supported mobile device, Fire tablet, or compatible Chromebook. If you need a larger screen during travel, download the title on one of those devices before leaving and use that device for playback.
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The old 6.99.5.0 package explains why some older guides claim Windows downloads are still possible, but it should not be presented as a dependable solution today. Netflix has removed the feature from the supported Windows experience and has not provided a rollback.
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FAQ
Can I still download Netflix movies on a Windows PC?
No. Netflix’s current Windows app and Netflix in a browser support streaming, but not offline downloads.
Does reinstalling Netflix from the Microsoft Store restore downloads?
No. The Microsoft Store installs the current Windows app, which does not include the download feature.
Can I install the old Netflix Windows app?
An older AppX package, commonly version 6.99.5.0, was previously sideloaded with PowerShell. It is unsupported and may fail at sign-in, so it is not a reliable current workaround.
Which devices support Netflix downloads?
Netflix supports downloads on Android phones and tablets, iPhone and iPad, Amazon Fire tablets, and compatible Chromebooks with the Google Play Store.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Netflix downloads have been removed from the current Windows app. The old-app sideloading method may still appear in older guides, but Netflix no longer supports returning to that client and it can fail with sign-in errors. For dependable offline playback, use a supported Android, Apple, Fire tablet, or Chromebook device.
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