Facebook Desktop 1.0b for Windows: an Unofficial Client That Stopped Working

Facebook Desktop 1.0b was a small unofficial Windows program by independent developer Eric Zhang that showed Facebook notifications and updates outside the browser. It was never made by Facebook or Meta, and it no longer works: the program depended on an old Facebook API that was switched off on 30 April 2015, so today there is nothing useful to download.

Quick facts

• Name: Facebook Desktop
• Version: 1.0b
• Developer: Eric Zhang (independent, not Facebook or Meta)
• Platform: Windows
• Type: unofficial desktop client
• Status: stopped working after the old API was switched off on 30 April 2015
• Size: about 463.70 KB according to catalogue data

What it was

Facebook launched on 4 February 2004 as a website, and for years there was no official Windows program. Independent developers filled the gap with small desktop tools that talked to Facebook through its public programming interface. Facebook Desktop was one of them. It sat in the corner of the screen, showed new notifications, friend requests and status updates from friends, and let you post a short status without opening a browser. For people who kept Facebook open all day, a lightweight notifier like this saved a browser tab and some attention. The catch was built in from the start: a third-party client works only as long as the platform keeps the interface it relies on, and it receives none of the security and privacy checks that the service applies to its own apps. When Facebook retired the old version of its API, clients built on it lost access to accounts and stopped showing anything.

Why you should not install it now

• It cannot connect. The interface it used no longer exists.
• It is not official. The app was not made or checked by Facebook; entering your login into an unofficial program puts the account at risk.
• Unknown copies. Old installers on download sites may be repackaged with adware or malware.
• Account safety. Signing in through unauthorised tools can trigger security checks or restrictions on your account.

How to use Facebook on a Windows PC today

1. Open facebook.com in Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Firefox and sign in.
2. Allow browser notifications for the site if you want alerts without keeping the tab in front.
3. Alternatively, install the official Facebook app for Windows from Microsoft Store; messages are part of it.
4. Turn on two-factor authentication in Facebook's security settings.

Requirements and price

The old client ran on Windows and was free. The official Facebook website works in any current browser and is free as well; there is nothing to pay and no separate program is required.

Pros and cons

• Pro: in its time, a light notifier outside the browser.
• Pro: very small program.
• Con: not from Facebook or Meta.
• Con: no longer works.
• Con: unofficial login is a risk to the account.

Alternatives

Official social apps on our site include Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) for Windows, while Facebook Lite covers Facebook on weaker devices. LinkedIn and Reddit are options for professional networking and discussion communities.