Installing Git on Windows: An In-Depth 2500+ Word Guide

Have you heard about Git but aren‘t quite sure what it is or how to install it on your Windows computer? If so, you‘ve come to the right place!

In this comprehensive 2500+ word guide, I walk you step-by-step through installing the latest version of Git on Windows. I‘ll provide helpful explanations, data-backed research, recommendations from experts, and useful tips along the way.

My goal is to equip you with everything you need to get Git‘s powerful version control features enhancing your coding projects. Sound good? Let‘s get right to it!

What is Git and Why Install It?

Before jumping into the installation instructions, it‘s important to level set on what exactly Git is and why it‘s useful for developers like yourself.

What is Git?

Git is an open source distributed version control system, created by Linus Torvalds in 2005 to help efficiently manage the Linux kernel development.

In simpler terms, Git enables you to track changes made to your code over time, collaborate with other developers, and coordinate working on shared files.

With Git, you get access to your own local Git repository that stores your project files and the entire edit history. This protects you from losing work, as any code changes you‘ve committed are preserved.

You can also push and pull commits to remote repositories to enable team collaboration. Top services like GitHub and GitLab provide centralized remote repositories for projects.

Why Install Git on Windows?

Here are some of the top reasons why installing Git on your Windows machine as a developer is so important:

Essential for source code management and version control
Enables tracking your code changes over time
Allows collaborating with other developers on files and projects
Protects against losing work since all changes are tracked
Integrates into your coding tools and IDEs like Visual Studio Code

In fact, over 90% of developers surveyed by Stack Overflow said they use Git day-to-day.

So installing Git on your local Windows device enables you to reap these same version control benefits in your own projects!

Now that you know what Git is and why it matters, let‘s look at what‘s needed before installing.

Prerequisites Before Installing Git on Windows

I recommend checking that your Windows machine meets these requirements before trying to install Git:

You must have administrative access to install apps
Running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 or later
Have the latest version of Visual Studio installed for integration
At least 5 GB of available space for dependencies

Requirement	Minimum Recommended
Windows Version	Windows 7 Service Pack 1
Disk Space	5 GB
User Permissions	Admin Access
Visual Studio Version	Latest Available

If your Windows environment does not meet those prerequisites, you may run into issues getting Git properly installed or working well post-install.

Now let‘s look at downloading the right Git installer file…

Step 1 – Download the Git for Windows Installer Executable

The first step is to download the latest Git for Windows installer file.

Here is the direct link to grab the installer executable:

Git Windows Downloads: https://git-scm.com/download/win

Once on that page, follow these steps:

Identify if you have a 32-bit or 64-bit Windows architecture
Click the "Download for Windows" button matching your architecture

For example, if running Windows 10 64-bit, you would click the 64-bit download button. Or if on 32-bit Windows 7, grab the 32-bit installer.

This begins downloading the Git-XYZ.exe installer executable file into your default Downloads folder or wherever your browser saves files.

The exact filename depends on the Git version. At time of writing, the latest is Git-2.38.1-64-bit.exe but may change in the future.

Once downloaded, let‘s get to installing it!

Step 2 – Launch the Downloaded Git Installer Executable

Browse to the Downloads location on your Windows machine and double-click on the Git-XYZ.exe file you just downloaded.

For example, if you grabbed Git-2.38.1-64-bit.exe per the latest version at time of writing, double click on that file.

Running the installer .exe launches the Git for Windows setup program to guide you through configuring and installing Git properly onto Windows.

You‘ll be greeted with the initial welcome prompt:

Click "Next" to advance through each screen.

Now we can get Git fully set up with optimal settings!

Step 3 – Accept the GNU GPLv3 License Agreement

As an open source tool, Git is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) model.

So the first choice presented when installing Git is to agree to these GPLv3 licensing terms governing open use and distribution of Git.

Go ahead and read through the GPL terms, then click the radio button to agree stating:

I accept the terms in the License Agreement

With agreement to abide by GPLv3, click Next to continue the Git installation.

Step 4 – Select Git Installation Location on Windows

The setup wizard next allows choosing where to install the Git program files onto your Windows filesystem.

The default location is:

C:\Program Files\Git

Sticking with the default path is perfectly fine for most use cases. But you can change this by clicking the "Browse…" button and choosing another folder destination if preferred.

Once your install path is configured, click Next.

This will now install the Git program files into that defined directory location.

Step 5 – Select Components to Include in the Git Install

One of the great things about Git on Windows is its robust support for optional components during setup.

You can customize what companion tools and integrations get installed alongside the core Git software:

Here are the key components I recommend selecting:

Additional Icons – Context menu entries for Git
On the Desktop – Icons for Git GUI/Bash
Git Bash Here – Right click for Git Bash
Git GUI Here – File explorer integration
Associate .git / .sh Files – File association
Use a TrueType Font – Improved console fonts

And if using Windows Terminal for command line operations, also enable:

Add a Git Bash Profile to Windows Terminal – Integration with Windows Terminal

Those components tailor Git nicely with shell enhancements, context menu shortcuts, and editor/CLI integrations.

Once your components are configured, click Next to continue.

Step 6 – Choose The Default Text Editor for Git Operations

One key setting is specifying the default text editor to associate with Git workflow actions.

For example, when committing changes with git commit, it will launch this chosen editor to allow entering your commit message.

The most common text editor options include:

Visual Studio Code
Sublime Text
Notepad++
Atom

Or you can input commit messages directly through the built-in Notepad or Vim editor.

Choose your preferred text editor, then click Next:

Now Git will pop open that editor automatically whenever text input is required.

Step 7 – Enable Git Integration in Windows Command Prompt

If you work in the Windows Command Prompt or other CLI shells like PowerShell, it‘s extremely useful to have Git commands directly available at the terminal.

The setup wizard gives you options on the level of shell integration:

I recommend picking the full integration with your CLI by choosing:

Use Git and optional Unix tools from Windows Command Prompt

This ensures you‘ll have access to core git commands like git status, git pull, git commit etc directly within Command Prompt and PowerShell.

Click Next once you‘ve chosen the CLI integration option.

Step 8 – Configure SSH and HTTPS Transport Settings

The last configuration choice sets the SSH executable and HTTPS backend mechanisms utilized by Git:

It‘s best to stick with the default pre-selected options:

Use bundled OpenSSH
Use the OpenSSL library

This allows Git to manage secure SSH connections and HTTPS certificate verification itself behind the scenes without relying on external dependencies.

Go ahead and click Next to start the actual Git installation process now!

Step 9 – Monitor the Git Installation Progress

With all the configurations set per your preferences, Git setup will now start copying files and installing itself onto your Windows machine automatically.

You‘ll see a progress meter tracking the installation status:

Depending on your hardware specs, network speed, and other active processes, this may take just a few seconds up to a couple minutes.

Once 100% complete, you‘ll be greeted with a final "Completing the Git Setup Wizard" modal:

Click Finish to close out of the setup program. Git is now fully installed!

Next let‘s validate everything works as expected.

Verifying the Git Installation

To confirm Git is properly installed and available for use, open up your Windows Command Prompt.

Type the following git command:

git --version

This prints out details verifying Git is installed, plus what version you now have:

Try running other basic Git commands like:

git init
git status

You can also navigate around in the new Git Bash terminal installed or integrated shells like Windows Terminal.

Once functionality is validated, Git should be ready to start utilizing!

Next I‘ll cover some recommended customizations.

Customizing Git Post-Installation

While Git works out of the box once setup completes, a few tweaks can further optimize things:

Set Up Your Git Username and Email

It‘s good practice to configure your name and email address in Git, which become associated with commits you do:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

Use the same email you may use on GitHub, GitLab, etc to link activity.

Generate and Add SSH Keys To Services

Instead of HTTPS, you can authenticate using SSH keys.

Follow GitHub‘s SSH Key Guide to add your public key to services like GitHub.

Install Editor Integrations Like GitLens

Code editor extensions like GitLens for VS Code integrate Git actions directly into the editor UI:

Very useful to commit, push, pull, and more without dropping to the command line. Look for the respective plugin for your editor!

Additional Configuration Tweaks

GitHub provides an awesome guide on Configuring Git post-install with even more ways to optimize settings.

With customizations like mentioned above, you‘ll have Git firing on all cylinders!

Troubleshooting Git Installation Issues

While I hope everything goes smoothly following this guide, here are some troubleshooting tips for common Git install issues:

Problem	Potential Solutions to Try
Permission Errors	Ensure you have Windows Admin Access to install apps
Installer Failing	Reboot machine and re-run installer
Git Not Recognized	Manually add Git `/cmd` and `/bin` paths to System PATH variable
Bash Not Working	Make sure you installed the matching architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for your Windows version

For additional help, Atlassian‘s troubleshooting guide details fixing permission issues, SSH errors, Bash problems, and more.

The official Git forums or Stack Overflow are also great places to find solutions if facing a tricky install issue.

Hopefully avoiding any blockers, but tips above should help get unstuck!

Next Steps After Installing Git on Windows

Huge congrats my friend…at this point you‘ve got the powerful Git installed and configured on your Windows machine! High fives! 🙌🏼

Here are some recommended next steps as you get ramped up version controlling your code:

Learn Git fundamentals from guides like Git – the simple guide
Build a sample local Git project to apply common workflows: commit changes, branch, merge, git log etc
Create a GitHub account and try pushing your first Git repository remote to see it published
Install productivity enhancing Git extensions in your code editor like GitLens for Visual Studio Code
Take advanced Git courses like GitHub‘s excellent training
Check out educational Git resources like the Pro Git ebook

Version controlling your code with Git & services like GitHub is a milestone skill in your dev journey.

You now have the Git foundation fully in place to reap these benefits and more among the millions of other developers who trust reliable, high performing Git daily.

Put Git through its paces on your projects…and if any hiccups come up, refer back here or Google/Stack Overflow.

You got this! Speak soon…and happy Gitting 😀