How to Install Git on Windows: A Step-by-Step Guide

Git is an essential version control tool for developers and teams, enabling efficient collaboration and project management.

If you’re working on Windows and need to install Git, this blog post will walk you through the process step by step.

Table of Contents

Step 1: Download Git

Visit the Git website: Open your preferred web browser and navigate to the official Git website at https://git-scm.com.
Download the installer: Click the Download for Windows button. The site will automatically detect your operating system and offer the appropriate download.

Step 2: Run the Installer

Locate the downloaded file, typically in your Downloads folder. The file name will look something like Git-x.x.x-x64.exe.
Double-click the file to start the installation process.

Step 3: Configure Installation Options

The Git installation wizard will guide you through several configuration options. Here’s what each step entails:

1. Select Destination Location

Choose the installation directory or leave the default path (C:\Program Files\Git) and click Next.

2. Select Components

Check the components you want to install. The default options are sufficient for most users, but you can customize as needed. Options include:
- Additional icons
- Windows Explorer integration (useful for context menu access)
- Git Bash and Git GUI
Click Next to proceed.

3. Adjust Start Menu Folder

Choose a name for the Start Menu folder or leave the default (Git). Click Next.

4. Choose Default Editor

Select your preferred text editor for Git. The default is Vim, but you can choose another editor like Notepad++, VS Code, or Sublime Text if installed.

5. Adjust PATH Environment

Select how Git will integrate with your system’s PATH environment variable.
- Recommended: “Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software.”
Click Next.

6. Configure HTTPS Settings

Choose the default OpenSSL library for HTTPS. This is typically the recommended option. Click Next.

7. Configure Line Endings

Select “Checkout Windows-style, commit Unix-style line endings” for compatibility across platforms. Click Next.

8. Configure Terminal Emulator

Choose the terminal emulator for Git Bash. The default option (MinTTY) is recommended. Click Next.

9. Enable Extra Options

You’ll see additional settings like enabling file system caching and credential management. Keep the default options unless you have specific requirements. Click Next.

Step 4: Complete the Installation

Review the summary of your configuration and click Install.
The installation process will begin. Once complete, you’ll see an option to launch Git Bash or view the release notes. Select these as desired and click Finish.

Step 5: Verify the Installation

Open Git Bash or Command Prompt.
Type the following command and press Enter: git --version
If installed correctly, Git will display the version number, such as git version 2.x.x.

Step 6: Configure Git

Before using Git, it’s essential to configure your name and email address, as these are associated with your commits.

Open Git Bash.
Set your username: git config --global user.name "Your Name"
Set your email address: git config --global user.email "yo*******@ex*****.com"

Additional Tools and Tips

Install a Git GUI: If you prefer graphical interfaces, consider installing tools like GitKraken, Sourcetree, or GitHub Desktop.
Learn Git Commands: Familiarize yourself with basic Git commands like clone, commit, pull, and push.
Explore Git Documentation: Git’s official documentation is an excellent resource for learning more.

By following these steps, you’ll have Git installed and ready to use on your Windows machine.

Whether you’re managing personal projects or contributing to large-scale open-source repositories, Git empowers you to work efficiently and collaboratively.