"Download Git for Windows" is usually the very first step of setting up a new dev machine, often typed while following a tutorial or onboarding doc. This isn't a GUI app in the usual sense — the Windows installer bundles the git command line tool along with Git Bash, a Unix-style terminal, and a basic Git GUI for those who want one. Once installed, git works from PowerShell, Command Prompt or the bundled Bash shell interchangeably.
What the Windows Installer Actually Adds
Git for Windows is a packaging of the open-source Git project plus MSYS2-based Bash tooling, maintained separately from core Git but staying closely in sync with upstream releases.
During install you'll be asked about default editor, PATH environment handling and line-ending conversion; the defaults work for most people, but Windows users pairing Git with WSL often want to double-check the line-ending setting to avoid CRLF surprises.
Who ends up using Git
Software developers who need version control set up before cloning or contributing to any repository reach for Git.
- Developers setting up a new machine before their first git clone
- Students following a coding tutorial that requires the git command line
- Teams collaborating on code through GitHub, GitLab or Bitbucket repositories
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Git before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, Git is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by Software Freedom Conservancy.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Download the 64-bit Windows installer below.
- Step through setup, accepting defaults unless you use WSL.
- Open Git Bash and run git --version to confirm it's installed.
Git: the honest trade-offs
- Bundles Git Bash, giving Windows a Unix-style terminal out of the box
- Stays closely synced with upstream Git releases
- Works interchangeably from PowerShell, Command Prompt or Bash
- Line-ending defaults can cause CRLF surprises when paired with WSL
- Installer's many configuration screens can overwhelm first-time users
The installer here matches the official Git for Windows release, so it's the same build referenced by GitHub's and GitLab's own setup docs.
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Keeping Git up to date
Since Git is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Git page.
Frequently asked questions
Does installing Git for Windows also install Git Bash?
Yes, Git Bash is included automatically as part of the standard Windows installer.
Can I use Git for Windows alongside WSL's own Git?
Yes, both can coexist; just be mindful of line-ending settings when working across the two.
