Git downloads free for Windows 11 and Windows 10 as a 62.3 MB installer from the official Git for Windows project, and it installs on a Mac with one Terminal command. The Windows package includes Git Bash, Git GUI and Git Credential Manager, so one setup file gives you everything to clone, commit and push.
This guide covers the x64 and ARM64 installers, the portable build, MinGit, the winget command, checksum checks, the Mac route, updates and fixes for installs that fail.
Check the Git system requirements before you download
Your Windows version and your processor type decide which file you need. Git for Windows publishes no RAM or disk floor.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Software | Git for Windows |
| Developer | The Git for Windows project |
| Latest version | 2.55.0.windows.5 |
| Released | 20 August 2026 |
| License | Free and open source, GNU GPL version 2 |
| Installer size | 62.3 MB, 64-bit exe |
| Supported OS | Windows 10 and Windows 11 |
| Windows 8.1 | Support ends after the 2.55 release line |
| Architecture | x64 and ARM64; 32-bit only as MinGit |
| Offline installer | Yes, the exe carries the full package |
| Portable edition | Yes, PortableGit self-extracting archive |
| Mac | Apple Command Line Tools for Xcode |
| Official download | Git for Windows releases |
| Last verified | 2026-09-13 |
Older systems have a hard stop. Release 2.46 was the last for Windows 7 and Windows 8, and 2.48.1 was the last with a 32-bit installer.
Which Git download do you need?
Press Windows + I, open System > About and read the System type line. Match it to a row below.
| Your PC | File to download | Size |
|---|---|---|
| 64-bit Windows 11 or 10 on Intel or AMD, which is most PCs | Git-2.55.0.5-64-bit.exe | 62.3 MB |
| An Arm PC, such as a Snapdragon laptop | Git-2.55.0.5-arm64.exe | 60.3 MB |
| No administrator rights, or a USB stick | PortableGit-2.55.0.5-64-bit.7z.exe | 56.2 MB |
| An app or build server that only calls git.exe | MinGit-2.55.0.5-64-bit.zip | 37.2 MB |
| 32-bit Windows | MinGit-2.55.0.5-32-bit.zip | 37.3 MB |
MinGit has no Git Bash and no Git GUI. Take the full installer unless a program asked you for MinGit by name.
Download Git for Windows 11 and Windows 10 from the official release
The Git for Windows project publishes every package on its release page, with a SHA-256 hash listed beside each file.
- Git for Windows latest release page — every installer, portable build and hash
- 64-bit installer, exe — 62.3 MB
- ARM64 installer, exe — 60.3 MB
- 64-bit PortableGit — 56.2 MB
- ARM64 PortableGit — 56.5 MB
- Release notes — changes and support notices for each version
How to install Git on Windows 11 and 10
The defaults suit most people. The editor and PATH pages matter more than the rest.
- Download the installer that matches your System type.
- Double-click the file in your Downloads folder and select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
- Select Next to accept the GNU GPL licence and keep the folder C:\Program Files\Git.
- On Select Components, keep the defaults and select Next.
- On Choosing the default editor used by Git, pick an editor you know. The default is Vim.
- On Adjusting the name of the initial branch in new repositories, choose main if your team uses it.
- On Adjusting your PATH environment, keep Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software.
- Keep the defaults on the remaining pages, then select Install.
- Select Finish, open Terminal and run git –version to confirm the install.
Set your identity once before your first commit. Run git config –global user.name “Your Name” and git config –global user.email [email protected] .
Install Git with winget instead of clicking through setup
Windows Package Manager ships with Windows 11 and pulls the same installer from the official release. The package ID is Git.Git.
- Right-click Start and select Terminal (Admin).
- Run winget install –id Git.Git -e –source winget .
- Accept the source agreement if Terminal asks.
- Wait for the Successfully installed line.
- Close and reopen Terminal so the new PATH entry loads.
- Run git –version to read the installed version back.
Run winget upgrade –id Git.Git later to move to a newer release without opening a browser.
How to verify the Git installer is genuine
The release page lists a SHA-256 hash for every file. A match proves your copy is the file the project published.
- Open the latest release page and find the hash table under the release notes.
- Open Terminal in your Downloads folder.
- Run Get-FileHash .\Git-2.55.0.5-64-bit.exe -Algorithm SHA256 .
- Compare the Hash value with the table, character for character.
- Right-click the exe, select Properties, and open the Digital Signatures tab to confirm a valid signature.
For the 64-bit installer the hash is d065a4e23c3d9a6b5073d609b5be0830227ec3ca053c083ba385061ddfaf94c6. A different value means a different file, so delete it and download again from the release page.
Run Git from a USB stick without installing it
PortableGit is a self-extracting archive. It needs no administrator rights and writes nothing to Program Files.
- Download PortableGit-2.55.0.5-64-bit.7z.exe, which is 56.2 MB.
- Double-click the file.
- Set the destination to a folder you can write to, such as D:\Apps\PortableGit.
- Select OK and wait for the extraction to finish.
- Open the folder and run git-bash.exe.
- Run git –version in the window to confirm it works.
PortableGit adds nothing to your PATH. Other programs will not find it unless you point them at cmd\git.exe inside the folder.
How to get Git on a Mac
Apple bundles Git in its Command Line Tools for Xcode. On a fresh Mac, typing git in Terminal prompts you to install that package.
| Your Mac | Do this | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Xcode is already installed | Run git --version in Terminal. Git is already there. |
Apple Xcode |
| No Xcode, and you want the smallest install | Run xcode-select --install, select Install, agree to the licence, then select Done. |
Installing the command-line tools |
| You need a specific tools version | Sign in with your Apple ID and download the Command Line Tools package that matches your macOS. | Apple Developer More Downloads |
The package lands in /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools and receives updates through Software Update.
Is Git free?
Git is free for personal and commercial use, and every package on the official release page is the complete program. Git is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2. There is no trial, no licence key and no paid edition. A site that charges for a Git installer is reselling free software, often with extra software bundled in.
Should you install Git, PortableGit or MinGit?
Install the full Git for Windows installer on any PC where a person writes code. It adds Git to your PATH, registers Git Bash in the context menu and sets up Git Credential Manager, so editors such as Visual Studio Code find it without extra work. PortableGit suits a locked-down PC or a USB stick. MinGit suits software that bundles its own copy of git.exe.
How to check your Git version and update it
- Open Terminal or Git Bash.
- Run git –version to read the installed version.
- Run git update-git-for-windows to check the official release for something newer.
- Type y when it offers the update, or add -y to skip the prompt.
- Save your work first, because the updater closes every open Git Bash window.
- Run git –version again once setup finishes.
On a Mac, Git updates with the Command Line Tools. Open System Settings > General > Software Update, or run softwareupdate –list in Terminal.
Fix Git not installing or not working on Windows 11, 10 and Mac
Terminal says git is not recognized
Git was installed with the Git Bash only PATH option, or Terminal was open during setup.
- Close every Terminal window and open a new one.
- Run git –version again.
- If it still fails, run the installer again and choose Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software.
- Restart Visual Studio, IntelliJ or any other editor that reported Git as not installed.
Setup will not run on an older PC
Current releases dropped Windows 7 and Windows 8, and Windows 8.1 support ends after the 2.55 line.
- Press Windows + R, type winver and select OK to read your Windows version.
- Upgrade to Windows 10 or Windows 11 to run the current release.
- On 32-bit Windows, use the MinGit 32-bit zip, since no 32-bit installer ships any more.
The update stops because files are in use
An open Git Bash window or editor is holding Git files.
- Save your work and close Git Bash, Git GUI and your code editor.
- Run the installer again.
- Select Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
Git stops working on a Mac after a macOS upgrade
The installed Command Line Tools no longer match the new macOS.
- Open System Settings > General > Software Update and install any Command Line Tools update.
- If none appears, run xcode-select –install in Terminal.
- Run git –version to confirm Git answers again.
How to uninstall Git and Git Bash
- Close Git Bash, Git GUI and any editor using Git.
- Press Windows + I and open Apps > Installed apps.
- Select the three dots beside Git, then Uninstall.
- Select Yes at the User Account Control prompt and follow the uninstaller.
- Delete C:\Program Files\Git if anything is left there.
- Delete .gitconfig in your user folder to clear your name, email and settings.
- For PortableGit, delete its folder. Nothing else was written to the machine.
From Terminal, winget uninstall –id Git.Git does the same job. On a Mac, sudo rm -rf /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools removes the tools package along with Git.
Frequently asked questions
Is Git free to download?
Yes. Git is free and open source under the GNU General Public License version 2, for personal and commercial use. Every package on the Git for Windows release page is the full program, with no trial, licence key or paid edition.
What is the official Git download page for Windows?
The Git for Windows project publishes every release at github.com/git-for-windows/git/releases. Each release lists the x64 and ARM64 installers, PortableGit, MinGit and a SHA-256 hash for every file.
Does Git work on Windows 11?
Yes. Git for Windows supports Windows 11 and Windows 10 on x64 and ARM64 processors. Windows 7 and Windows 8 lost support in release 2.47, and Windows 8.1 support ends after the 2.55 release line.
How big is the Git download?
The 64-bit Git for Windows installer is 62.3 MB and the ARM64 installer is 60.3 MB. The 64-bit PortableGit archive is 56.2 MB, and the 64-bit MinGit zip is 37.2 MB.
Is there a Git offline installer?
Yes. The Git for Windows exe is a complete offline installer. It carries Git, Git Bash, Git GUI and Git Credential Manager, so you can copy it to a PC with no internet connection and install from there.
How do I get Git on a Mac?
Open Terminal and run xcode-select –install. Apple’s Command Line Tools for Xcode include Git, and on a fresh Mac simply typing git prompts the same install. If Xcode is already installed, Git is already on your Mac.
Which Git download do I need, 64-bit or ARM64?
Open Settings, then System, then About, and read the System type line. An Intel or AMD PC takes the 64-bit installer, and an Arm PC such as a Snapdragon laptop takes the ARM64 installer. No 32-bit installer ships any more.
Is the Git installer safe?
The copy from the official Git for Windows release page is safe. Compare its SHA-256 hash with the value listed on that page using Get-FileHash in Terminal. A file from a download portal carries no such guarantee.
What is the latest version of Git for Windows?
Git for Windows 2.55.0.windows.5, released on 20 August 2026. It updates OpenSSH and the MSYS2 runtime, fixes Git Bash clearing the screen after Vim, and corrects the signatures on the 64-bit and ARM64 Bash executables.
Why won’t Git install on my PC?
The usual causes are an unsupported Windows version or files locked by an open Git Bash window. Current releases need Windows 10 or 11. Close Git Bash and your code editor, then run the installer again as administrator.
