How to Install Git on Windows

If you’re a software developer, chances are that you have heard of Git. Git is a free and open-source distributed version control system that helps developers collaborate on code, track changes, and manage projects. This guide will walk you through the steps to install Git on a Windows machine.

Step 1: Download Git

The first step in installing Git on your Windows machine is to download the Git installation package. You can download the package from the Git website by following the link below:

https://git-scm.com/download/win

Once the download is complete, run the Git installation package to begin the installation process.

Step 2: Install Git

To install Git on your Windows machine, follow these steps:

1. Run the Git installation package that you downloaded in Step 1.

2. Choose your preferred language for the installer and click "OK".

3. Next, you’ll need to accept the Git license agreement. Read the agreement and click "Next" to continue.

4. Choose the destination folder where you want Git to be installed. The default location is C:\Program Files\Git, but you can choose a different location if you prefer.

5. Choose your preferred components to install. By default, all components are selected. You can uncheck any components you don’t need, but it’s recommended to leave everything checked.

6. Choose the default editor you want to use with Git. The default editor is Vim, but you can choose another editor if you prefer.

7. Choose the default terminal emulator you want to use with Git. The default terminal is Git Bash, but you can choose another terminal if you prefer.

8. Choose the default behavior for line endings. It’s recommended to leave this setting at the default value, which is "Checkout as-is, commit Unix-style line endings".

9. Choose the default behavior for the Windows Path environment. It’s recommended to leave this setting at the default value, which is "Use Git and optional Unix tools from the Windows Command Prompt".

10. Choose the default behavior for SSL and HTTPS. It’s recommended to leave this setting at the default value, which is "Use the OpenSSL library".

11. Choose the default behavior for the Git Credential Manager. It’s recommended to leave this setting at the default value, which is "Enable Git Credential Manager".

12. Finally, click "Install" to begin the installation process.

Step 3: Verify the Installation

Once the installation is complete, you’ll need to verify that Git has been installed correctly on your Windows machine. To do this, open a command prompt or Git Bash terminal and run the following command:

git --version

This command will display the version of Git that is installed on your machine. If you see an output similar to the following, then Git has been installed correctly:

git version 2.33.0.windows.1

Conclusion

Installing Git on your Windows machine is a simple process that can be completed in just a few steps. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to install Git on your Windows machine and start using it to collaborate on code and manage projects.