On Windows 10 or 11? This is the Windows 8 build; see all downloads →
Windows 8 & 8.1 · 32-bit

Snipe for
Windows 8 & 8.1

A specialized backport of Chromium 140 for Windows NT 6.2 and NT 6.3; this is the legacy kernel wrapper build, with API shims that restore the platform support upstream Chromium dropped after version 109. It is fully de-Googled, ships uBlock Origin and Ruffle in the core, and is tuned for single-core x86 hardware.

⬇ Download Installer ⬇ Portable ZIP ↗ GitHub Release
Based on Chromium 140.0.7339.127 · Legacy Kernel Wrapper Build · V8 14.0.365.4
© 2026 Snipe Group Limited
Snipe homepage on Windows 8 32-bit

Compatibility notice

This is a specialized backport of the Chromium 140 core, built to run on Windows 8 (NT 6.2) and Windows 8.1 (NT 6.3). It integrates API shims that restore the compatibility upstream Chromium dropped after version 109, so a modern engine runs on a kernel Google no longer supports.

1 GB
RAM min
32-bit
x86
NT 6.2/6.3
Win 8 & 8.1
Zero
Google telemetry
What's in the build

Everything built in, nothing phoning home.

Every component that would ordinarily call Google infrastructure has been removed or replaced. The privacy tools ship inside the core binary itself, and the whole build is tuned for legacy 32-bit Windows: single-core CPUs and 1 GB of RAM.

🛡

uBlock Origin Core

Compiled into the browser, with an ultra-low-footprint whitelist optimised for single-core CPUs. It is active from the very first page load and cannot be disabled by accident.

🎮

Ruffle / Flash

The lightweight x86-target Flash emulator is built into the core. SWF games and media run natively, with no plugin to install and nothing extra to download.

🔍

SnipeSearch Default

Address-bar searches go to SnipeSearch rather than Google. The new tab opens the full SnipeSearch ecosystem on every launch, one click away from everything in the network.

🔑

Local Password Manager

Credentials are stored encrypted on this device. Cloud sync is disabled by default; nothing is uploaded anywhere unless you explicitly turn it on yourself.

📖

Local Dictionaries

Spell-check and autocorrect run against bundled, on-disk dictionaries, entirely offline; nothing you type is ever sent to Google's enhanced spell-check service.

🔌

Server-Respecting HTTP/S

What you type wins. Snipe never forces an HTTPS upgrade on its own, so HTTP-only servers, intranet hosts and self-signed setups load exactly as addressed instead of being trapped in redirect loops; if the server itself redirects to HTTPS, that redirect is honoured as normal.

🌙

Zero AI & Background Off

Zero AI features and zero background processes: closing the window stops every thread and releases the full 1 GB RAM pool cleanly, with nothing left running behind the scenes.

🎬

Widevine Not Included

Widevine DRM is not bundled. To enable it, copy the 32-bit WidevineCdm folder into C:\Program Files\SnipeBrowser\Application\140.0.7339.127\ yourself; the full four-step guide is further down this page.

🧩

Extensions via Ark

Browse SnipeSearch Ark with the Snipe platform filter, or side-load CRX files through Developer mode at chrome://extensions; the Chrome Web Store does not recognise Snipe, so it cannot be used.

Download · v140.0.7339.127

Two ways to run Snipe.

Both downloads are the 32-bit legacy kernel wrapper for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. Choose the installer for a normal desktop install, or the portable ZIP to run Snipe from any folder or USB drive with no installation at all.

Recommended

Installer (.exe)

Installs Snipe to C:\Program Files (x86)\Snipe\ and adds desktop shortcuts. This is the legacy kernel wrapper build, with API shims for NT 6.2 and 6.3. No internet connection is required to install.

File · SnipeBrowser-140.0.7339.127-windows-8-setup.exe
⬇ Download Installer
No install

Portable (.zip)

Extract the ZIP and run; nothing is written to Program Files and no installation is required. Ideal for USB drives, locked-down machines, or testing alongside an existing browser install without touching it.

File · SnipeBrowser-140.0.7339.127-windows-portable.zip
⬇ Download Portable ZIP

System requirements

Also available: Ubuntu 16.x · Ubuntu 18.04+ · openSUSE Leap · Windows XP · 7 · 9 · 10 & 11 (64-bit) · 10 & 11 (32-bit)
Streaming DRM

Adding Widevine for Netflix & Disney+.

Snipe does not ship Widevine; it is a proprietary, closed-source blob, and bundling it would contradict the open nature of the project. Because Snipe is built on Chromium 140 it uses the same DRM path as Chrome, which means you can add Widevine yourself in four short steps.

01

Locate the files

From an existing Chrome or Edge 140 install, locate the WidevineCdm folder at C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\<version>\WidevineCdm\.

02

Copy into Snipe

Copy the whole folder into Snipe so the final path becomes C:\Program Files\SnipeBrowser\Application\140.0.7339.127\WidevineCdm\ (be sure to use the 32-bit win_x86 DLL).

03

Restart & verify

Close every Snipe process, reopen the browser, and check chrome://components for an entry named "Widevine Content Decryption Module".

04

Test playback

Open Netflix or Disney+ and play any title. If playback starts, DRM is installed correctly. Make sure the module you copied came from a Chromium 140.x build so the versions match.

Widevine is owned by Google and its use is subject to Google's licence terms. Snipe Group Limited does not distribute, endorse, or support Widevine; DRM configuration is entirely the user's responsibility. No Chrome or Edge on this machine? Extract WidevineCdm from any Chromium 140.x build instead.
On every new tab

The SnipeSearch ecosystem.

The new tab page groups the full network of privacy-first services into three sets: Social, Services and Resources. Everything is reachable in one click, and no Google account is required for any of it.

Social

Services

Resources

Every user matters

How Snipe compares.

FeatureSnipeChromeDDG
Zero Google Telemetry✓✗✓
uBlock Origin built into core✓✗✗
Ruffle / Flash restored✓✗✗
Local-only password manager✓✗✗
Server-respecting HTTP/HTTPS✓✗✗
No forced updates✓✗✗
Background processes off by default✓✗✗
No AI features✓✗✗
Runs on Windows 8 & 8.1✓✗✗
Support

Frequently asked questions.

How do I import my Google or Brave passwords?

Export them as a CSV from Google Password Manager or Brave, then import that file into Snipe’s local Password Manager (open chrome://password-manager/settings and use Import passwords). A full walkthrough with screenshots is here: Import Google / Brave passwords into Snipe. Delete the CSV once the import finishes; it is plain text.

Press

Reviews

Softpedia review: Snipe Browser rated 5.0/5
Tested & reviewed by:
5.0/5

Snipe Browser is a Chromium-based web browser that removes Google’s built-in services and telemetry while preserving the speed and compatibility of Chromium. Softpedia highlights Zero Telemetry, built-in uBlock Origin, a local-only password manager, no built-in AI, and greater control over updates and background processes.

88 / 100
Reputation
Verified Safe

SnipeSearch scored 88/100 for trust and reputation on Gridinsoft. No malware or phishing detections, and 0 provider warnings at the time of the check.

View the Gridinsoft report →

79 / 100
Reputation

SnipeSearch.co.uk scored 79/100 for trust and reputation on Gridinsoft. No malware or phishing detections, a 16.9-year domain history, and 0 provider warnings at the time of the check.

View the Gridinsoft report →