Windows Setup Guide

Before You Start

In this guide you'll be using PowerShell -- a built-in app on Windows that lets you interact with your computer by typing text commands instead of clicking around. Developers use tools like PowerShell to install software, run programs, and manage files. It might feel unfamiliar at first, but you'll only need to copy and paste a few commands and you'll be up and running.

How to open PowerShell:

  1. Click the Start button (or press the Windows key on your keyboard)
  2. Type PowerShell
  3. Click on Windows PowerShell to open it

A blue window will appear with a blinking cursor. This is where you'll type (or paste) the commands below.

Tip: To paste a command into PowerShell, you can right-click in the window or use Ctrl+V.

Important: Do not open "Run as Administrator" unless this guide specifically tells you to. Regular PowerShell is what you want.

Step 1: Install VS Code, Python, and Git

We'll use a built-in Windows tool called WinGet to install everything with one command. Copy and paste this entire line into PowerShell and press Enter:

winget install -e --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode ; winget install -e --id Python.Python.3.13 ; winget install -e --id Git.Git

This will download and install three things:

  • Visual Studio Code -- the code editor we'll use in class
  • Python -- the programming language
  • Git -- the tool that lets you work with GitHub repositories

A few things to expect:

  • You may see prompts asking you to agree to terms -- type Y and press Enter when asked
  • Each install may take a minute or two
  • Installer windows may pop up briefly -- that's normal, let them finish

Step 2: Restart PowerShell

Close PowerShell completely (click the X), then open it again the same way as before. This is required so that PowerShell recognizes the programs you just installed.

Step 3: Verify Everything Installed

Run each of these commands one at a time:

code --version

python --version

git --version

Each one should print a version number (for example, Python 3.13.1). If any command says "not recognized," see the Troubleshooting section at the bottom.

Step 4: Install the Python Extension in VS Code

VS Code needs one extension to work well with Python.

  1. Open Visual Studio Code (you can type code in PowerShell, or find it in your Start menu)
  2. Click the Extensions icon in the left sidebar -- it looks like four small squares
  3. In the search bar, type Python
  4. Find the one by Microsoft and click Install

Select the Python Interpreter

This tells VS Code which version of Python to use.

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+P to open the Command Palette (a search bar at the top of VS Code)
  2. Type Python: Select Interpreter and click on it
  3. Choose the Python version from the list (it will look something like Python 3.13.x)

Step 5: Configure Git

Git needs to know your name and email so it can label your work. Run these two commands in PowerShell, replacing the placeholder values with your own information:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"

git config --global user.email "your-email@example.com"

Use the same email that is associated with your GitHub account.

Troubleshooting

"code is not recognized"

PowerShell doesn't know where VS Code is yet. Close PowerShell completely and reopen it, then try code --version again. If it still doesn't work, try restarting your computer.

"python is not recognized"

  1. Close and reopen PowerShell first -- this fixes it most of the time
  2. If it still doesn't work, Python may not be on your PATH. Uninstall Python from Settings > Apps, then reinstall from python.org. On the very first screen of the installer, check the box that says "Add Python to PATH" before clicking Install.

"winget is not recognized"

WinGet comes pre-installed on Windows 10 and Windows 11, but it may need an update:

  1. Open the Microsoft Store
  2. Search for App Installer
  3. Click Update (or Install if it's not there)
  4. Close and reopen PowerShell, then try the install command again

Permission errors

  • Make sure you opened regular PowerShell, not "Run as Administrator"
  • Close PowerShell and reopen it normally

VS Code can't find Python / no interpreter showing up

  1. Make sure you installed the Python extension (Step 4)
  2. Press Ctrl+Shift+P, type Python: Select Interpreter, and pick a Python version
  3. If no versions appear, try restarting VS Code

When to Ask for Help

You've tried the troubleshooting steps above and something still isn't working? Ask for help! When you do, please include:

  • That you're on Windows
  • Which step you're stuck on
  • The exact error message (a screenshot is even better)