Updated 20 October 2026.
Desktop Goose is a small desktop toy by samperson. Its goose walks around, brings up messages and can interfere with the pointer. That behavior is the joke, so save your work and try it when an interruption will not matter.
Get the original download
Use samperson’s official Desktop Goose page. The developer lists separate Windows and macOS downloads through a name-your-own-price page. Do not assume a third-party “mobile version” or modified installer is the same project.
The listed Windows and Mac builds are different releases. Read their included instructions and check compatibility with your actual system. An older minimum-version claim is not a guarantee of perfect behavior on every current computer.
What the goose can do
| Behavior | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Walking and mud trails | Visual activity over the desktop. |
| Messages and pictures | Extra windows that can interrupt your workspace. |
| Pointer interaction | The goose can temporarily make mouse use awkward. |
| Customization | Supported settings and assets depend on the downloaded build. |
Use it on your own device, or with the device owner’s permission. Avoid starting it during remote support, presentations, games that need precise input or any task where unexpected windows could cause a mistake.
Change supported settings carefully
The developer describes a config.goos file and customization of messages and assets in supported Windows releases. Close the program, keep a copy of the original configuration and change one documented value at a time.
Do not assume Windows mods work on the Mac build. Mods are additional code from their own authors; a link in a comment is not the developer’s endorsement. Start with the unmodified official files if you are troubleshooting.
How to close Desktop Goose
- Try holding Esc for several seconds; the developer describes this exit method in the original project comments.
- On Windows, use Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, select the goose process and end it if necessary.
- On Mac, use the app’s quit control, or the system’s Force Quit option if it is unresponsive.
Apple explains the Mac fallback in its Force Quit instructions. Close only the relevant process, and avoid ending unrelated work.
How to remove it
After quitting the goose, remove the downloaded application and its extracted folder if you no longer want them. If you added a shortcut to a startup or login location, remove that too. Deleting the ZIP alone does not remove a separate extracted copy.
If you downloaded a suspicious imitation, treat it as a separate security issue. Our Windows protection guide explains checking active protection. A toy’s intended disruptive behavior is not a reason to ignore an actual security warning.
FAQs
Is Desktop Goose an official Untitled Goose Game app?
No. The developer states it is not affiliated with House House or Panic.
Is there an official Android or iPhone build on that page?
The original page lists Windows and macOS downloads. Do not treat similarly named mobile apps as the same release.
Why does closing a picture not stop the goose?
The picture window and the running toy are different things. Quit the goose itself.
Can I delete it while it is running?
Quit it first. Then remove the application or extracted folder and any startup shortcut you added.