Complete beginner tutorialWindows

Install Git, GitHub CLI, and Claude Desktop on Windows

A step-by-step guide for people who have never used a terminal. Take your time and follow the steps in order.

Duration

About 45 to 70 minutes.

You will need

Your email, your computer password, and an internet connection.

Main tool

PowerShell, opened from Start menu -> type PowerShell -> Enter.

StartView the MacOS version

Simple rules to avoid mistakes

  • Only download software from the official links shown in this tutorial.
  • Copy commands exactly, without adding a period, quote, or leading space.
  • If a step takes a while, wait. Many installers stay quiet for several minutes.
  • If you get lost, close the window, breathe, then go back to the previous step.

Step 1

Prepare Windows and open PowerShell

5 min

Do not worry

PowerShell can look intimidating, but here it only launches official installers.
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Search for PowerShell

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PowerShell open

  1. Click the Start button at the bottom of the screen.
  2. Type PowerShell.
  3. Click Windows PowerShell. A text window opens.
  4. If Windows asks for permission, click Yes only if the displayed name is Microsoft or the official installer.

Do not worry

PowerShell is a normal Windows tool, like Control Panel, but in text mode.

Step 2

Install Winget from the Microsoft Store

5 to 10 min

Do not worry

Winget is Microsoft’s official tool for installing apps from PowerShell.
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Microsoft Store Winget page

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App Installer installed

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Check winget --version

  1. Open this Microsoft Store page.
  2. Click Get or Install. The app may appear as App Installer.
  3. If Microsoft Store says the app is already installed or up to date, you are good.

In PowerShell, check that Winget responds:

Copy and paste
winget --version

Step 3

Install Git for Windows

5 to 10 min

Do not worry

Winget launches the official Git installer. If a wizard opens, keep the default choices.
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Winget command for Git

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Git wizard open

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Git installed

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Check git --version

In PowerShell, copy and paste this command, then press Enter:

Copy and paste
winget install --id Git.Git -e --source winget
  1. If Winget asks you to accept terms, type Y, then press Enter.
  2. If a Git wizard opens, click Next without changing the options.
  3. Continue to the end, then click Install or Finish.

Important point

If you see words like PATH, Vim, OpenSSH, or line endings, do not change anything. Just click Next.

Close PowerShell if it is already open, then reopen it. Then type:

Copy and paste
git --version

Step 4

Install GitHub CLI with winget

5 to 10 min

Do not worry

Winget downloads the official tool and adds it to the system.
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Winget command pasted

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GitHub CLI installed

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Check gh --version

In PowerShell, copy and paste this command, then press Enter:

Copy and paste
winget install --id GitHub.cli --source winget
  1. If a question asks you to accept terms, type Y, then press Enter.
  2. Wait for the installation-complete message.
  3. Close PowerShell completely, then reopen it.

Check the installation:

Copy and paste
gh --version

Step 5

Create a GitHub account

10 min

Do not worry

GitHub is a website. This step is similar to creating an email account.
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GitHub homepage

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Signup form

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GitHub account created

  1. Go to https://github.com/.
  2. Click Sign up.
  3. Enter your email address.
  4. Choose a strong password.
  5. Choose a simple username, for example firstname-lastname.
  6. Verify your email address with the code sent by GitHub.

Security tip

Enable two-factor authentication if GitHub offers it.

Step 6

Authenticate GitHub CLI with HTTPS

5 to 10 min

Do not worry

The command opens your browser. That is normal: GitHub is checking that it is you.
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gh auth login command

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Temporary GitHub CLI code

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Browser authorization

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Authentication complete

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check

Check gh auth status

In PowerShell, type:

Copy and paste
gh auth login --web --git-protocol https
  1. Choose GitHub.com if the question appears.
  2. Choose HTTPS if the question appears.
  3. GitHub CLI displays a code. Copy it or write it down.
  4. Your browser opens. Log in to GitHub if needed.
  5. Paste the requested code, then click the authorization button.

Check that everything is OK:

Copy and paste
gh auth status

Step 7

Install Claude Desktop on Windows

10 min

Do not worry

Download Claude only from the official website.
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Claude download page

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Claude Desktop open

  1. Go to https://claude.com/download.
  2. Click Windows.
  3. Open the downloaded file.
  4. Follow the installation.
  5. Open Claude from the Start menu.
  6. Log in with your Claude account, or create one.

Important point

Claude Desktop requires Windows 10 or newer.

Final checklist

□ Git responds to git --version
□ GitHub CLI responds to gh --version
□ gh auth status says you are logged in
□ Your GitHub account is verified by email
□ Claude Desktop opens from Applications or the Start menu

Official sources

These instructions are based on the official documentation for Git, GitHub CLI, GitHub, and Claude Desktop.