Installation

These steps install Cygwin on Windows as a regular user, without administrator rights.

1. Go to the Cygwin install page and download the 64-bit installer, setup-x86_64.exe.

2. Open up a Windows PowerShell terminal.

3. Change to the folder you downloaded it to (usually Downloads).

4. Run .\setup-x86_64.exe --no-admin. The setup window should pop up. --no-admin installs in user mode, so Windows won’t ask for administrator rights.

5. Click through the setup screens:

   Setup Screen

   • Click “Next”.

   Choose a Download Source

   • Select “Install from Internet”, then click “Next”.

   Select Root Install Directory

   • The default is C:\cygwin, installed for all users on the machine.
   • Click “Next”.

   Select Local Package Directory

   • Click “Next”.

   Select Your Internet Connection

   • Click “Next”. The default uses your system proxy settings.

   Choose a Download Site

   This is the mirror Cygwin downloads packages from. Pick one close to you that you trust to serve binaries.

   I usually pick Virginia Tech (VT) or Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

   • Once selected, click “Next”.

   Select Packages

   • Click “Next”.

   Review and Confirm Changes

   • Click “Next”.

   Progress

   • Wait for the install to finish.

   Create Icons

   • Add a desktop icon if you want one.
   • Click “Finish”.

6. Open the Cygwin terminal from the Start menu or the desktop icon.