1. Why was CFW Discontinued?
In November 2023, Fndroid, the author of Clash for Windows (CFW), announced the deletion of the repository and the end of maintenance. Shortly after, the original Clash core project was also archived, marking the end of an era.
While the immediate cause was external pressure, the community responded instantly. Several forks had already been in development, most notably Clash Meta (now mihomo).
Timeline
2. The Risks of Still Using CFW
Unpatched Security Vulnerabilities
Discontinuation means no more security updates. Using it long-term exposes you to serious risks.
No Support for Modern Protocols
Reality, VLESS, Hysteria2, and TUIC—modern protocols from 2023 onwards—will never be supported by CFW.
Breaking Rule-Set Compatibility
The community has moved to mihomo-formatted rule-sets. Older CFW-compatible formats are being phased out.
3. Comparison of Popular Alternatives
| Client | Platforms | vs. CFW | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clash Verge Rev | Win / macOS / Linux | Modern UI, feature-rich, actively maintained | ★★★★★ |
| FlClash | Android / Cross-platform | Excellent cross-platform experience; best for Android | ★★★★ |
| Karing | iOS / Cross-platform | Top choice for iOS with strong sync features | ★★★★ |
| ClashX Meta | macOS Exclusive | Minimalist menu bar app with low resource usage | ★★★ |
4. Decision Guide: Which One Should You Choose?
Windows Users (former CFW power users)
Without a doubt, choose Clash Verge Rev. It has the most similar feel to CFW, the lowest learning curve, and full support for script overrides and YAML subscriptions.
macOS Users
Choose Clash Verge Rev for full features, or ClashX Meta for a lightweight, native experience. Both support the mihomo core.
Android Users
Choose FlClash—the modern successor to Clash for Android (CFA). It's smoother, lighter, and better designed.
iOS Users
Choose Karing—the best choice on the App Store that supports Clash subscriptions and cross-device sync.
5. Step-by-Step Migration (e.g., to Clash Verge Rev)
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1
Backup Subscription URL
In CFW, go to the "Profiles" page, find your active subscription, and copy the URL.
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2
Download & Install Clash Verge Rev
Visit our Download Center to get the right installer for your OS. It will auto-initialize on first launch.
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3
Import Subscription
Go to "Subscriptions" → "New" → Paste your URL. Detailed steps are in our Import Guide.
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4
Enable System Proxy
Turn on "System Proxy" in the main dashboard and select your routing mode (e.g., "Rule").
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5
Verify and Uninstall CFW (Optional)
Once you confirm proxy is working in your browser/terminal, you can uninstall CFW. Avoid running both at once to prevent port conflicts.