How to Install Git on Windows

🛠️Part of the Windows Administration Complete Guide, every Windows administration post on this site, grouped by the job you are doing.

This guide walks you through installing Git, the version control system, on a Windows computer.

For the latest version, visit the official Git website to download the installer.

Although the installation wizard offers numerous configuration options, don’t worry, most settings can be adjusted later. Even if something goes wrong, reinstalling Git is quick and straightforward.


Installing Git on Windows (GUI)

Navigate to the Git for Windows download page.
Download the latest installer for Windows.
Run the installer and proceed through the setup wizard.

The installation has many configuration options, all noted below:

Default Editor
Choose your preferred text editor (VS Code, Notepad++, Vim, etc.).

Git Install CLI Options

Line Endings
If working in a mixed Windows/macOS/Linux environment, choose “Checkout Windows-style, commit Unix-style line endings.”

Git Install Checkout Options

Default Console Window
You should configure git to use the default console window for Windows.

Git Install Console Window Options

Git Behavior
Unless you are working on particular advanced Git projects, you can leave the Git Behavior as Default.

Git Install Configure Pull Options

Extra Options
Enable Git Credential Manager for better authentication handling, and have file system caching enabled, because why not.

Git Install Configure Extra Options

Experimental Options
Enable experimental options if you are not precious about you Git environment and experience.

Git Install Psudo Consoles

To confirm Git is installed correctly, run ‘git --version‘ in PowerShell:

Check Git Version PowerShell

Git for Windows also includes Git Bash, a command-line tool that emulates a Linux-like terminal environment. Open Git Bash from the Start Menu:

Git Bash From Windows Start Menu

In the example screenshot below, I’m creating a new folder and file within the Git Bash terminal:

Git Bash Play

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Git on Windows. You can now start using Git for version control!


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If SQL Server is part of your day job, my current work lives over at sqldba.blog: production DBA scripts, an error library and the SSMS guide.


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