Cricut Design Space is Cricut’s proprietary design software (and corresponding app). It is required in order to: Set up your new Cricut machine Register your new Cricut machine Update your Cricut machine with newly-released updates Design your projects, and Run your Cricut machine in order to make your projects When using a Cricut-brand cutting machine, Cricut Design Space Download is not optional nor is there any other program you can use. In fact, you will be prompted to install it as as part of your initial machine setup and product registration. https://www.cricut4design.com/