# 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 October 29, 2026

## 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**:

```powershell
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:

```powershell
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

- Windows Terminal
- [winget](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/winget)

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/lessons/os-and-terminal-tools-windows-setup-windows-terminal-and-winget