> Source URL: /resources/windows.guide
# 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**:

```powershell
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:

```powershell
code --version
```

```powershell
python --version
```

```powershell
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:

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

```powershell
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](https://www.python.org/downloads/). 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)


---

## Backlinks

The following sources link to this document:

- [Windows Setup Guide](/resources/resources.index.llm.md)
- [Windows](/resources/local-dev.guide.llm.md)