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CogniGuide

Free Mind Mapping Software for Windows

Turn your PDFs, Word files, slides or a typed topic into an interactive mind map you can edit, expand and export from any Windows browser.

No credit card required

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Trusted by learners from top universities

University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of MichiganGeorgetown UniversityUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Wisconsin-MadisonUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

CogniGuide at a glance

What you get
Interactive mind maps of the main ideas and how they connect. Free: overview maps (detailed maps on your first 3 creations). Plus: detailed maps with supporting concepts.
Exports
Your first PDF or PNG export is free; Plus exports anytime.
Price
Free plan: 5 creations a week, up to 3 a day. Plus: $9.99/month or $99.90/year (USD; local prices at checkout).
Sign-up
A free account is required before you create anything (Google or email). No credit card.
What you can upload
PDF, Word (.docx), PowerPoint (.pptx), plain text or Markdown, and images (PNG, JPG, WebP, GIF), or type a topic. One file per creation on the free plan; several at once on Plus.

How it compares: vs Knowt · vs Quizlet · vs NotebookLM · vs Mapify

What the Free Windows Mind Map Tool Does

Build maps from your own material, then expand, quiz and export them without installing anything.

Build from your own files

Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or image file, and the AI turns it into a structured map.

Expand and edit any node

Ask the AI to add detail to a branch, or edit node text to match your own wording.

Quiz yourself from the map

Turn the finished map into a quiz, or make flashcards from the same notes to test recall.

How to Make a Mind Map on Windows

Three steps from your notes or a topic to a map you can study, share or export.

  1. 1

    Add your material

    Upload a file from your Windows PC or type a topic in the box.

  2. 2

    AI builds the map

    The AI organizes your content into a branching map with main topics and subtopics.

  3. 3

    Study, expand, export

    Expand branches, take the quiz, then export the map as a PNG or PDF.

Choosing Free Mind Mapping Software on Windows

Free mind mapping software for Windows lets you organize ideas as a branching diagram, with a central topic and linked subtopics. Most students and professionals use these maps to plan essays, revise lectures and outline projects. A good tool should let you start quickly, edit nodes freely and export the result. CogniGuide works in your Windows browser and builds the first draft from your files, so you spend less time placing nodes by hand.

  • Central topic: the main idea placed in the middle of the map
  • Main branches: the key themes that split from the centre
  • Subtopics: supporting details attached to each branch
  • Export options: save the map as PNG or PDF for sharing

Use the finished map to revise before exams or to plan your next piece of writing. You can generate a personalized map from your own notes with CogniGuide in a few clicks.

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Free Mind Mapping Software for Windows: FAQs

Common questions about using a free mind map maker on a Windows PC.

Do I need to install anything on Windows?

No. CogniGuide runs in your browser, so you can use it on any Windows PC without downloading a separate program.

Is there a free plan?

Yes. The free plan allows 5 creations a week and needs no payment. Paid plans raise those limits.

Which files can I upload to build a map?

You can upload PDF, Word (DOCX), PowerPoint (PPTX), text or Markdown files, and images, or simply type a topic.

Can I turn the map into a quiz?

Yes. You can turn any finished map into a quiz to test yourself, and make flashcards from the same notes.