Claude Code Windows Install Guide (Step by Step)

Windows is a first-class platform for Claude Code, but installs fail most often because of permissions, antivirus quarantine, or mixing x86 and ARM builds. This walkthrough gets you from download to a verified session on Windows 10 or 11.

Before you run the installer

Close other AI coding tools that hook the same editors to avoid extension conflicts. If IT manages your machine, confirm software installation is allowed and that Anthropic endpoints are not blocked. Visit our download page and grab the Windows build from the official link.

Standard installation

1. Run the installer as your normal user (admin only if prompted).
2. Choose a local path without spaces if legacy tools complain — C:\Dev\ClaudeCode is safer than C:\Program Files\My Projects\.
3. Complete sign-in with your Claude account when the app launches.
4. Allow network access through Windows Defender Firewall when asked.

PowerShell and WSL

Many developers run the CLI inside PowerShell 7 or WSL2 Ubuntu. Keep Node and Git updated; the agent frequently shells out to git status, npm test, or pytest. If commands fail with "not found", fix PATH in the same shell profile you use daily — not a one-off admin window.

Verify the install

• Open a repo with a README and ask for a summary.
• Request a one-line doc fix and review the diff before accepting.
• Run your project's unit tests after any automated edit.

When installation fails

Reboot after a failed install, delete partial folders in %LOCALAPPDATA% only if docs suggest it, and reinstall from the official download. SmartScreen warnings should be resolved by using Anthropic's signed installer — never disable security globally.

See also: system requirements and troubleshooting.