github:windows

Adding repositories

You can add any repository already on your hard drive by dragging a folder in from Explorer. If that folder is a Git repository, GitHub for Windows will import all of the history and connect it to your GitHub accounts.

Another great way to add repositories is to clone them from GitHub.com. You can do that right in the application by browsing through your personal account and any organizations you belong to. You can also clone with one click from any repository page on GitHub.com. Just look for the Clone in Windows button.

The easiest way to get Git on Windows

GitHub for Windows includes a fully functional version of msysGit — no need to install anything extra. You can pull up a PowerShell console within the context of any repository. GitHub for Windows even includes the amazing posh-git utility for your command line pleasure.

Never worry about SSH keys again

In most cases you don’t even need SSH keys. All repositories are cloned over HTTPS by default, and GitHub for Windows caches your credentials so you don’t have to keep entering your password for every remote action, even on the command line.

For cases where you have an existing repository using an SSH remote, GitHub for Windows will seamlessly set up SSH for you. You will get an email and see a new key added to your account.

Branches: local & remote

You can easily create new local branches or check out local copies of remote branches. GitHub for Windows supports a publication paradigm for branches, making it easy to share a branch when you are ready, delete a branch when you are done with it, and check out a branch that a co-worker wants to share with you.

Multiple Git remotes & non-GitHub remotes

GitHub for Windows does not support multiple Git remotes and it will only work with the origin remote. If you wish to push & pull to other remotes, we suggest you use the command line client that is included with the application.

GitHub for Windows is optimized to work with GitHub remotes — but if you wish to use a non-GitHub remote, it will work just fine. Set the remote manually in the settings tab and everything else should work as expected. You can also drag in repositories from the file system and GitHub for Windows will respect the configuration of the origin remote.

Setting up your avatar

Git stores an email address inside of every commit you make. You can view and change your email address in the the options dialog. GitHub for Windows then uses Gravatar to display an avatar for that email address. If you’d like to see your face next to commits, register a Gravatar with the email address you use to make commits.

Free to download, free to use

GitHub for Windows is a free download and although it is not required, it works best with a GitHub.com account. You can easily sign up for a free personal GitHub.com account here.

I have more questions!

Feel free to send any additional questions you have to support@github.com and we’ll help you out. Night or day.