The AWS CLI download is free from Amazon Web Services: version 2 installs on Windows 11 and 10 with a 64-bit MSI and on Mac with a pkg or a one-line script. It gives you the aws command for managing every AWS service from a terminal.
This guide covers the right file for your machine, the MSI, silent and script installs, the Mac options, updates with aws update , fixes for common setup errors and a clean uninstall.
Which AWS CLI download do you need?
AWS ships a separate package per operating system and install scope. Find your setup in the left column and use the file or command on that row.
| Your computer | Get this | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 or 10, 64-bit, you have admin rights | AWSCLIV2.msi | Installs for all users under Program Files |
| Windows, no admin rights | AWSCLIV2-User.msi | Installs for your account only |
| Windows, you prefer one PowerShell command | install.ps1 script | Current user by default; -System for all users |
| Mac with macOS 11 or later | AWSCLIV2.pkg or install.sh | The script is the AWS-recommended route |
| Linux on Intel or AMD (x86_64) | awscli-exe-linux-x86_64.zip | Or the install.sh script, or snap |
| Linux on ARM (aarch64) | awscli-exe-linux-aarch64.zip | Same install steps as x86_64 |
| A pinned older release | Past releases of version 2 | Add the version number to the file name |
Most Windows users want AWSCLIV2.msi. Pick AWSCLIV2-User.msi on a work laptop where you cannot approve an administrator prompt.
Download the AWS CLI from the official AWS links
Amazon Web Services publishes every installer through its own documentation. The GitHub repository holds the source code and the changelog, not installer files.
- Install or update the AWS CLI (AWS User Guide) — Windows MSI, macOS pkg, Linux zips and install scripts
- Install a past release of AWS CLI version 2 — versioned MSI, pkg and zip file names
- AWS CLI version 2 changelog on GitHub — every release, newest at the top
- aws/aws-cli source repository — official AWS organisation on GitHub
- AWS CLI product page — features and getting-started links
How to install the AWS CLI on Windows 11 and 10
The MSI is a standard Windows installer. It adds the aws command to your PATH, so there is nothing to configure by hand.
- Open the AWS CLI install guide, expand Windows and select the MSI installer – All users tab.
- Click the AWSCLIV2.msi link to download the 64-bit installer.
- Open your Downloads folder and double-click AWSCLIV2.msi .
- Follow the setup wizard to the end and click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
- Leave the default install location, which puts aws.exe in C:\Program Files\Amazon\AWSCLIV2 .
- Open the Start menu, type cmd and open Command Prompt.
- Run aws –version . The output starts with aws-cli/2. when the install worked.
- Run aws login to sign in with your AWS console credentials, or follow the setup guide for other credential types.
No admin rights? Use AWSCLIV2-User.msi from the MSI installer – Current user tab instead. The steps and the aws command are the same.
Install the AWS CLI silently with msiexec or PowerShell
These are the commands AWS documents for scripted installs. Run them in an elevated prompt when they install for all users.
| Command | What it does | |
|---|---|---|
msiexec.exe /i https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2.msi /qn |
Silent all-users install; needs admin rights | |
msiexec.exe /i https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2-User.msi /qn |
Silent install for the current user; no admin rights | |
| `irm https://awscli.amazonaws.com/v2/install.ps1 | iex` | Script install to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\Amazon\AWSCLIV2 |
irm 'https://awscli.amazonaws.com/v2/install.ps1' -OutFile install.ps1; try { .\install.ps1 -System } finally { Remove-Item install.ps1 } |
Script install for all users under Program Files, from an Administrator PowerShell | |
msiexec.exe /i https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2-2.0.30.msi |
Installs a pinned release; replace 2.0.30 with the version you need |
Test the silent install on one machine first, then confirm it with aws –version before rolling it out.
Which AWS CLI download do you need for your Mac?
Open the Apple menu and select About This Mac to see your macOS version. AWS ships one package for all supported Macs.
| Your Mac | Install with | What happens | |
|---|---|---|---|
| macOS 11 or later, you want the quickest route | install.sh script | Run `curl -fsSL https://awscli.amazonaws.com/v2/install.sh | bash; installs to $HOME/.local/share/aws-cli` |
| macOS 11 or later, you prefer a normal installer | AWSCLIV2.pkg | Double-click, choose all users, and it links /usr/local/bin/aws |
|
| Managed Mac, scripted install | AWSCLIV2.pkg with installer | Run sudo installer -pkg AWSCLIV2.pkg -target / |
|
| macOS 10.15 Catalina | AWSCLIV2-2.20.0.pkg | Versions 2.17.0 to 2.20.0 are the last for 10.15 |
After installing, run which aws and aws –version in Terminal. The first should print /usr/local/bin/aws for a pkg install.
Is the AWS CLI free?
Yes. The AWS CLI is a free, open-source download under the Apache License 2.0. There is no paid edition, trial or licence key. The charges come from the AWS services you control with it: starting an EC2 instance or storing files in S3 costs the same from the CLI as from the console. To use it at all, you need an AWS account with IAM or IAM Identity Center credentials. A site selling an AWS CLI licence or a “pro” build is a scam.
Should you install AWS CLI version 1 or version 2?
Install version 2. Use version 1 only for an old script you cannot migrate yet. AWS CLI version 1 entered maintenance mode on August 5, 2026 and reaches end-of-support on July 15, 2027. Until then it gets critical bug and security fixes only. Version 1 installs through pip, while version 2 has its own MSI, pkg and zip installers. Both use the same aws command, so remove version 1 before installing version 2.
AWS keeps a migration guide for scripts written against version 1.
How to check your AWS CLI version and update it
- Open Command Prompt, PowerShell or Terminal.
- Run aws –version . The first field, such as aws-cli/2.36.49 , is your version.
- Compare it with the top entry in the version 2 changelog.
- Run aws update to move to the newest release.
- If you installed for all users, run aws update from an Administrator PowerShell on Windows, or with sudo on a Mac.
- Close the terminal, open a new one and run aws –version again to confirm the change.
aws update works for installs from the MSI, the pkg, the Linux installer or the install scripts. It keeps your existing all-users or current-user scope.
Check the AWS CLI system requirements before you download
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Software | AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI) version 2 |
| Developer | Amazon Web Services, Inc. |
| Latest version | 2.36.49 |
| Licence | Free, open source (Apache License 2.0) |
| Windows | Microsoft-supported versions of 64-bit Windows |
| macOS | macOS 11 or later for version 2.21.0 and newer |
| Linux | 64-bit CentOS, Fedora, Ubuntu, Amazon Linux 1, 2 and 2023, and Linux ARM |
| Architecture | 64-bit only; Linux x86_64 and aarch64 builds |
| Admin rights | Needed only for the all-users install |
| Account | AWS account with IAM or IAM Identity Center credentials |
| Offline installer | Yes: MSI, pkg and Linux zip |
| Official source | docs.aws.amazon.com install guide |
| Last verified | 2026-09-19 |
To check your Windows type, open Settings > System > About and read System type. It must say 64-bit operating system.
Fix the AWS CLI not installing or not running on Windows
‘aws’ is not recognized as a command
The terminal opened before setup finished still holds the old PATH.
- Close every Command Prompt and PowerShell window, then open a new one.
- Run where /R c:\ aws to find aws.exe . The default is C:\Program Files\Amazon\AWSCLIV2\aws.exe .
- Press the Windows key, type environment variables and select Edit environment variables for your account.
- Select PATH, click Edit and add the folder that holds aws.exe .
- Click OK twice and open a new command prompt.
aws –version shows an older version than you installed
Two copies are installed, such as version 1 from pip and version 2 from the MSI.
- Close all terminals and try again; restart Windows if the version is still wrong.
- Uninstall every copy, using the same method that installed it, such as pip for version 1.
- Install version 2 again from AWSCLIV2.msi .
You have no administrator rights on the PC
AWSCLIV2.msi installs for all users and needs administrator rights.
- Download AWSCLIV2-User.msi from the install guide instead.
- Run it to install for your account only, with no admin prompt.
aws –version still answers after you uninstall
Another copy remains, or the terminal has not refreshed.
- Close all terminals and run aws –version in a new one.
- If a version still prints, repeat the uninstall for each method you used until aws is not found.
For errors after setup, such as access denied or invalid credentials, see the AWS CLI troubleshooting guide.
How to uninstall the AWS CLI
- On Windows, press Win + R, type appwiz.cpl and press Enter to open Programs and Features.
- Select AWS Command Line Interface and click Uninstall.
- Confirm the prompt and wait for the uninstaller to finish.
- Optional: run rmdir /S %UserProfile%\.aws to delete your config and credentials, which all AWS SDKs share.
- On a Mac, run which aws and ls -l /usr/local/bin/aws to find the install folder.
- Run sudo rm /usr/local/bin/aws and sudo rm /usr/local/bin/aws_completer to remove the links.
- Run sudo rm -rf /usr/local/aws-cli to delete the program folder.
See the AWS uninstall guide for Linux and snap installs.
Which AWS CLI option should you use instead of installing it?
| Option | Cost | Pick it when |
|---|---|---|
| AWS CloudShell | No additional charge | You want the CLI in a browser tab, already signed in, with nothing to install |
| Official Docker image | Free | You already run Docker and want a pinned version per project |
| AWS CLI version 1 | Free | A legacy script depends on version 1; support ends July 15, 2027 |
| AWS CLI version 2 installer | Free | You work in a local terminal every day |
CloudShell runs AWS CLI version 2 on Amazon Linux 2023 and keeps 1 GB of storage per Region between sessions.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AWS CLI free to download?
Yes. The AWS CLI is free and open source under the Apache License 2.0, with no trial and no paid edition. You pay only for the AWS services your commands create or use, such as EC2 instances or S3 storage.
Where is the official AWS CLI download page?
The official download links are in the AWS CLI User Guide at docs.aws.amazon.com, on the page titled Installing or updating to the latest version of the AWS CLI. It links the Windows MSI, the macOS pkg, the Linux zips and the install scripts.
Does the AWS CLI work on Windows 11?
Yes. AWS supports the AWS CLI on Microsoft-supported versions of 64-bit Windows, which includes Windows 11. Install it with AWSCLIV2.msi for all users, AWSCLIV2-User.msi for your account only, or the PowerShell install script.
Can I install the AWS CLI on Windows 10?
AWS supports the AWS CLI on Microsoft-supported versions of 64-bit Windows. A 64-bit Windows 10 PC fits that rule only while Microsoft still supports it, so keep it on its security updates. There is no 32-bit Windows build.
How big is the AWS CLI download?
AWS does not publish an installer size in its install guide. Check the finished file in your browser’s download list.
Is there an AWS CLI offline installer?
Yes. AWSCLIV2.msi, AWSCLIV2-User.msi, AWSCLIV2.pkg and the Linux zip files are complete installers. Download one on a connected PC, copy it over and run it offline. The install.ps1 and install.sh scripts need an internet connection.
Is there an AWS CLI download for Mac?
Yes. AWS ships one AWSCLIV2.pkg for macOS, plus an install.sh script that is now the recommended route. The current releases need macOS 11 or later. Older Macs on macOS 10.15 can run versions 2.17.0 to 2.20.0.
Is there a 32-bit or ARM version of the AWS CLI?
There is no 32-bit version. The Windows MSI is 64-bit only, and Linux gets separate x86_64 and aarch64 zip files. On a Mac, the single pkg and the install script cover the supported systems.
Is the AWS CLI safe to download?
Yes, when the file comes from the links in the AWS install guide. The Linux zips are signed with the AWS CLI Team PGP key, fingerprint FB5D B77F D5C1 18B8 0511 ADA8 A631 0ACC 4672 475C. Avoid repackaged copies on download portals.
What is the latest version of the AWS CLI?
The latest release is AWS CLI 2.36.49, the top entry in the version 2 changelog on GitHub. AWS ships new releases almost every business day, so run aws update to move to the newest build.
Should I install AWS CLI version 1 or version 2?
Install version 2. AWS CLI version 1 entered maintenance mode on August 5, 2026 and reaches end-of-support on July 15, 2027, with only critical bug and security fixes until then. Both versions use the same aws command.
Why does ‘aws’ say it is not recognized after I install it?
The terminal that was open during setup still has the old PATH. Close every command prompt and open a new one. If aws still fails, add C:\Program Files\Amazon\AWSCLIV2 to your PATH environment variable.
