Setup: Windows Terminal and winget

Check that Windows Terminal and winget are ready, so you can install every other bootcamp tool.

Novice · Operating System · Software Development · Updated

After this lesson you can

  • Open a PowerShell tab in Windows Terminal
  • Check that winget works and refresh its package list

Key takeaways

  • Open Windows Terminal from the Start menu. It opens in PowerShell, which you use until Git Bash is installed.
  • The arrow beside the + button opens a new tab with the shell you choose, such as Windows PowerShell.
  • winget --version prints winget's version, which starts with v1. If it does, winget is ready.
  • winget source update refreshes the list of packages winget can install.
  • If winget is not recognized, update App Installer from the Microsoft Store, then open Windows Terminal again.

Windows only. This is the first of eight Setup exercises. Windows 11 already includes the two tools you need to install everything else. Here you check that they are ready.

Open Windows Terminal

Click Start, type Terminal, and press Enter.

A window opens with a PowerShell prompt, which looks like PS C:\Users\alex>. Git Bash is not installed yet, so you will use PowerShell for this exercise and the next two.

If Windows Terminal opens a different shell, click the arrow beside the + button and choose Windows PowerShell. It opens in a new tab.

Check winget

Type this command and press Enter:

winget --version

You should see a version number that starts with v1., such as v1.29.380. Yours may be newer.

Now refresh winget's list of packages:

winget source update

You should see Done for each source. If winget asks you to agree to the source's terms, type Y and press Enter.

Turn on file extensions

If you have not done it yet, do this now (it was explained in Using File Explorer). Press Windows+E to open File Explorer, then select View > Show > File name extensions and View > Show > Hidden items.

Common problems

What you see What to do
No app called Terminal You may be on Windows 10. Open the Microsoft Store, search for Windows Terminal, and install it (it is published by Microsoft).
winget : The term 'winget' is not recognized Open the Microsoft Store, search for App Installer, and click Update (or Get). Then close Windows Terminal, open it again, and try again.
winget is blocked by your school or employer Every tool in these exercises also has a download page. Search for the tool's name and "download", and use the page on the tool maker's own website.

Check yourself

2 questions to try on the lesson page.

So what

winget installs every other tool in these Setup exercises. A working winget --version now means each install after it is one command.

Key terms