> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.techielass.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Installing Git - 14 days of Git - URL: https://www.techielass.com/installing-git/ - Published: 2022-09-16T07:01:47.000Z - Updated: 2022-09-16T07:01:47.000Z - Description: As part of my 14 days of Git learning journey it's time to get Git installed on my desktop. I walk you though the manual installation process, and configuration of Git. - Author: Sarah Lean - Tags: 14daysofgit, Git, Git for everyone So far on my 14 days of Git learning journey I have dug into: - [What is version control?](https://www.techielass.com/what-is-version-control) - [What is Git?](https://www.techielass.com/what-is-git) Now it's time to get hands on with Git and get the tool installed on my computer. ## Install Git on Windows Git is a tool that can be installed on your macOS, Windows or Linux operating system. We'll focus on Windows installation methods here. - Head over to [https://git-scm.com/downloads](https://git-scm.com/downloads?ref=techielass.com) and download the latest version of the client. - Once you have downloaded the right file, double click on it to start the install. The install is down through a wizard, you will be asked some basic questions: - Accept the license - Install location **Components** And then you will be asked what components you should install. The defaults are generally okay to get you started with Git. You may want to select the option to install an icon on your desktop and set it to check for updates daily. ![Git install optional components screen](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/96/08960c71-63a2-449b-91b1-8d4628166dd2/content/images/2022/08/git-optionalcheckboxes.PNG) Git install optional components screen The other optional component you might want to consider is the *"Add a Git Bash Profile to Windows Terminal".* This can be useful later on, especially if you are planning on using Visual Studio Code or another editor that has a built in terminal window. **Start Menu Folder** You can leave the next screen at it's default setting. **Default Editor** When you get to choosing the default editor used by Git, you have the option to select from a list of editors. The default is Vim, however I would suggest picking one you are more familiar with. **Initial Branch name** When you create a new repository, by default Git will call that first branch "master". You can confirm it so that it will use another name. I recommend setting this to "main". ![Git Initial Branch name screen](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/96/08960c71-63a2-449b-91b1-8d4628166dd2/content/images/2022/08/mainbranch.PNG) Git Initial Branch name screen **PATH environment** When you use a tool within the command line without specifying the full location path, you need to configure it so that Windows knows where the tool is. I recommend using the default option here to configure the PATH settings. **SSH Executable** I prefer to leave this option as is by choosing OpenSSH. **Line ending conventions** Again I leave this is default. **Terminal emulator for Git Bash** This is another setting that is best left at the default MinTTY option. It is the more modern choice. **Default behaviour** It is best to leave this option at "Default (fast-forward or merge)". Most tutorials you will follow will assume you are using this setting. And until you get more familiar with Git and it's workings it is the best option. **Git credential helper** When working with external Git repositories it is best practice to use multi-factor HTTPS authentication. It is best to leave the default option by using the built in [Git Credential Manager.](https://github.com/GitCredentialManager/git-credential-manager/?ref=techielass.com) **Extra options** Best to go with the defaults here, unless you have any other need to configure them. **Experimental options** I tend not to install any experimental options, but again if you have a need or want to try them that is something for you to decide. The installation process should now begin. ![Git Installation](https://storage.ghost.io/c/08/96/08960c71-63a2-449b-91b1-8d4628166dd2/content/images/2022/08/gitinstallation.PNG) Git Installation ## Install Git with Windows Package Manager [Windows Package Manager (winget)](https://www.techielass.com/get-started-with-windows-package-manager/) is an open source package manager developed and built by Microsoft. It can help you install, manage and upgrade software on your Windows desktops. If you have Windows Package Manager installed on your machine, you can use the following command to install Git: ```bash winget install git.git ``` ## Install Git with Chocolatey [Chocolatey](https://www.techielass.com/chocolatey-what-is-it/) is an open source package manager that can help you install, manage and upgrade software on your Windows desktops and servers. If you have Chocolatey installed on your machine and it's your package manager of choice you can use the following command to install Git: ```bash choco install git ``` ## Configure Git for use Before we start to use Git there are a few things that we need to configure. Setting your name and your email address is the first step. This information is use to record any changes you make to Git repositories. Open up a command line tool and type in the following: ```bash git config --global user.name "Your Name" git config --global user.email “you@example.com” ``` ## 14 days of Git The next step of [14 days of Git](https://www.techielass.com/tag/14daysofgit) is to start to use Git and get familiar with the basic commands! Be sure to [subscribe](https://www.techielass.com/newsletter) and join us for that step in the learning journey! You can follow along here: [https://github.com/weeyin83/14daysofgit](https://github.com/weeyin83/14daysofgit?ref=techielass.com)