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March 23, 2026Dan Rodney/2 min read

Download & Install Git on Mac & Windows

Complete Guide to Git Installation Across Platforms

Prerequisites

Git installation is required before using version control features in Visual Studio Code or other development environments.

Installation Options by Platform

Mac Installation

Uses built-in Terminal and Xcode developer tools. Git comes bundled with Xcode command line utilities.

Windows Installation

Requires downloading from official Git website. Includes dedicated installer with configuration options.

Installing Git

Visual Studio Code's powerful version control features depend on Git being installed on your local machine. Before you can leverage VS Code's integrated source control capabilities—from tracking changes to managing branches—you'll need Git properly configured on your system. The installation process varies between macOS and Windows, so follow the platform-specific instructions below to get everything set up correctly.

Mac vs Windows Git Installation

FeatureMacWindows
Installation MethodTerminal CommandDownloaded Installer
Default Editor SetupSystem DefaultChoose During Install
Bundled WithXcode ToolsStandalone Package
Verification Commandgit --versiongit --version
Recommended: Both methods provide full Git functionality with platform-optimized installation processes.

Mac: Download & Install Git

Modern macOS systems often come with Git pre-installed through Apple's developer tools. Let's check if you already have it before proceeding with a new installation.

  1. Navigate to Applications > Utilities and launch Terminal.app.

  2. In the Terminal window, type the following command and press Return:

    git --version

  3. If the command returns a Git version number (such as "git version 2.39.0"), you're already set up and can proceed to configure VS Code. If Git isn't installed, macOS will automatically prompt you to download and install the Xcode Command Line Tools, which include Git along with other essential development utilities. Click "Install" and follow the prompts—this process typically takes 5-10 minutes depending on your internet connection.

Mac Installation Process

1

Open Terminal

Navigate to Applications > Utilities and launch Terminal.app to access command line interface.

2

Check Git Version

Type 'git --version' and press Return to verify if Git is already installed on your system.

3

Install Xcode Tools

If Git is not found, follow the prompt to download and install Xcode developer tools which include Git.

4

Complete Installation

Wait for the download and installation process to finish before proceeding with Git configuration.

Mac Installation Advantage

Mac users benefit from automatic Git installation through Xcode developer tools, ensuring compatibility with the macOS development environment.

Windows: Download & Install Git

Windows users need to manually install Git from the official distribution. The installer includes Git Bash, a command-line interface that provides a Unix-like terminal experience on Windows.

  1. Open your preferred web browser and navigate to git-scm.com/download
  2. Click the download button to get the latest version for Windows (the site automatically detects your operating system).

  3. Run the downloaded installer and proceed through the setup wizard:

    Most default settings work well for typical development workflows, but pay special attention to the Choosing the default editor used by Git screen. Select Use Visual Studio Code as Git's default editor to ensure seamless integration between the two tools.

    For the remaining options, the defaults are suitable for most users. Simply click Next through each screen and Install when ready. The installation typically completes within 2-3 minutes.

Windows Installation Process

1

Visit Official Website

Open your web browser and navigate to git-scm.com/download to access the official Git download page.

2

Download Installer

Click the download button to get the latest Git installer package for Windows systems.

3

Configure Default Editor

During installation, select 'Use Visual Studio Code as Git's default editor' on the editor selection screen.

4

Complete Setup

Accept remaining default options and click Next through the installer to finish the installation process.

Editor Configuration Important

Choosing Visual Studio Code as the default editor during installation ensures seamless integration between Git and your development environment.

Post-Installation Verification

0/3

Key Takeaways

1Git installation is required before using version control features in Visual Studio Code and other development tools
2Mac users can install Git through Terminal using Xcode developer tools which are automatically prompted when needed
3Windows users must download Git from the official git-scm.com website and run the dedicated installer
4The git --version command verifies successful installation on both Mac and Windows platforms
5Windows installation allows choosing Visual Studio Code as the default Git editor during setup process
6Mac installation integrates Git with the existing macOS development environment through Xcode tools
7Both installation methods provide full Git functionality with platform-specific optimization
8Proper editor configuration during installation ensures seamless integration with development workflows

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