Once in the archive, navigate to the following folder structure: /qgis / win64 / qgis-3.26.0 /
: Project-level symbols, color ramps, and text formats were updated for better UI/UX and portability between users.
Double-click the .msi file. You may see a Windows Defender SmartScreen warning. Click "More info" and then "Run anyway" since this is a legitimate signed application from OSGeo.
The installation process for QGIS 3.26 is relatively straightforward. Once you've downloaded the installer, simply run it and follow the prompts. On Windows, the installer will guide you through the process, while on macOS and Linux, you can use the package managers to install the application.
: Look for the link labeled "All releases" or "Previous releases" to find version 3.26.
If you fell in love with QGIS during this era, it makes sense you want it back.