How to Install and Use cURL on the Windows Command Line

The command-line utility cURL is a versatile tool for transferring data with URLs. It is frequently used to interact with APIs and web services.

While standard on many Unix-like systems, it hasn’t always been natively available within the standard Windows command prompt (`cmd.exe`). Developers and system administrators often need to run cURL commands directly within their Windows environment.

This article outlines several methods for enabling and using cURL on Windows, addressing both older systems that require manual setup and modern versions where it comes pre-installed.

Understanding cURL Availability in Windows

Historically, Windows did not include a native `curl.exe` accessible directly from the command prompt or PowerShell. Users needed to employ third-party distributions, compatibility layers, or alternative tools to achieve similar functionality. However, this landscape has changed with recent Windows updates.

Crucially, starting with Windows 10 Insider build 17063 (released early 2018, corresponding to the public release build 1803) and subsequent versions, including Windows 11, cURL is now included by default. If operating on these newer systems, separate installation may not be necessary.

Methods for Using cURL on Windows

Depending on your Windows version and installed software, several approaches can provide cURL functionality:

1. Utilizing the Built-in cURL (Modern Windows 10/11)

For users running Windows 10 (build 1803 / April 2018 Update or later) or Windows 11, cURL is pre-installed and accessible directly.

• No installation steps are required.
• Open Command Prompt (`cmd.exe`) or PowerShell.
• Execute `curl` commands directly, for example: curl https://example.com

2. Manual Installation of cURL Executable

If using an older version of Windows or preferring a specific cURL build, manual installation is a reliable option.

1. Navigate to the official cURL download page or use the cURL Download Wizard.
2. Select the appropriate binary distribution for your Windows system (Win32 or Win64) ensuring it includes SSL support (essential for HTTPS).
3. Download the package (often a zip file or potentially an MSI installer).
4. If downloaded as a zip archive:
   • Create a dedicated folder, for example, C:\curl.
   • Extract the contents of the zip file into this folder. The key file is curl.exe. You may also find a certificate bundle like ca-bundle.crt. Some distributions place the executable within a bin subdirectory (e.g., C:\curl\bin).
5. If using an MSI installer, follow the installation prompts.
6. Add cURL to the System PATH: To run `curl` from any command prompt window, the directory containing curl.exe must be added to your system’s `PATH` environment variable.
   • Search for “Environment Variables” in the Windows search bar and select “Edit the system environment variables”.
   • Click the “Environment Variables…” button.
   • Under “System variables”, find and select the `Path` variable, then click “Edit…”.
   • Click “New” and add the full path to the directory containing curl.exe (e.g., C:\curl\bin or C:\curl, depending on where you extracted it).
   • Click “OK” on all open dialogs.
7. Alternatively, some instructions suggest placing `curl.exe` and potentially the .crt file directly into C:\Windows\System32. While this works, modifying the PATH is generally considered a cleaner approach.
8. Restart Command Prompt: Close any currently open command prompt windows and open a new one for the PATH changes to take effect.

Read: An introduction to Windows PowerShell for beginners

3. Leveraging Git for Windows

If Git for Windows is installed, it typically includes Git Bash, a command-line environment that bundles various Unix-like tools, including cURL.

• Install Git for Windows if you haven’t already.
• Launch “Git Bash” from the Start Menu.
• You can run standard `curl` commands directly within the Git Bash terminal.
• Some users report that cURL may also be accessible via “Git CMD”.
• To execute a cURL command via Git Bash directly from the standard Windows Command Prompt, you can use a command structure like:
  “`bash
  “C:\Path\To\Git\bin\sh.exe” –login -i -c “curl https://example.com”
  “`
  (Adjust the path to your Git installation accordingly.)

Read: How to Configure Git to Use Specific SSH Private Keys

4. Using Package Managers

Package managers streamline software installation on Windows.

• Chocolatey: If you use the Chocolatey package manager, install cURL with:
  “`powershell
  choco install curl
  “`
• Scoop: Scoop is another package manager, often used for user-level installations.
  1. Ensure Scoop is installed. You might need to adjust execution policy first: Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy Undefined -Scope CurrentUser
  2. Install Scoop: iex (new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://get.scoop.sh')
  3. Install cURL: scoop install curl

5. Using PowerShell’s `Net.WebClient` (Alternative for GET Requests)

For simple HTTP GET requests, PowerShell offers built-in capabilities using the `System.Net.WebClient` class, which can be invoked from the standard command prompt.

• To fetch content similar to `curl http://example.com`:
  “`powershell
  powershell -Command “(new-object net.webclient).DownloadString(‘http://example.com’)”
  “`
• Credentials can be supplied if needed:
  “`powershell
  powershell -Command “$wc=new-object net.webclient;$wc.Credentials=new-object System.Net.NetworkCredential(‘user’,’pass’);$wc.DownloadString(‘http://example.com’)”
  “`
• A simple batch script (e.g., `curl.cmd`) can be created for convenience:
  “`batch
  @echo off
  powershell -Command “(new-object net.webclient).DownloadString(‘%1’)”
  “`
  This allows usage like: curl http://example.com (assuming `curl.cmd` is in the PATH or current directory).

6. Installing via Cygwin

Cygwin provides a broad collection of GNU and Open Source tools for Windows, creating a Linux-like environment.

1. Download and run the Cygwin installer from cygwin.com.
2. During the package selection step, search for “curl”.
3. Select the `curl` package for installation.
4. Complete the Cygwin setup.
5. You can run `curl` within the Cygwin terminal.
6. Alternatively, adding the Cygwin `bin` directory (e.g., `C:\cygwin64\bin`) to your Windows system `PATH` allows running `curl` and other Cygwin tools directly from the standard Windows command prompt.

Verification and Testing

After installation or configuration, verify that cURL is working:

1. Open a new command prompt or PowerShell window.
2. Check the installed version:
   curl –version
3. Perform a simple test request:
   curl -v https://example.com

   This should display the HTTP headers and response content from the specified URL. Look for output similar to the connection details and HTML content.

Potential Considerations

• Restart Console: Remember to close and reopen command prompt/PowerShell windows after modifying the system `PATH` or installing software that affects it.
• Syntax Differences: When running `curl` commands directly in the Windows `cmd.exe`, pay attention to quoting. Commands copied from Linux/macOS examples often use single quotes (') around URLs or data payloads. In `cmd.exe`, you typically need to use double quotes (") instead. Complex JSON data within double quotes might require escaping inner double quotes. Using Git Bash often alleviates these syntax differences.
• SSL Certificates: Ensure your cURL build includes SSL support (`https`) and potentially a certificate bundle (`.crt` file) for verifying secure connections. Manually downloaded versions usually bundle this.

Conclusion

Executing cURL commands on Windows is straightforward, especially on modern versions where it’s included by default. For older systems or specific needs, manual installation, leveraging Git for Windows, using package managers like Chocolatey or Scoop, or employing alternatives like Cygwin or PowerShell’s `Net.WebClient` provide effective solutions. By choosing the appropriate method and being mindful of potential syntax differences, you can seamlessly integrate this powerful data transfer tool into your Windows workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is cURL included in Windows by default?

Yes, cURL is included by default in Windows 10 starting from build 1803 (April 2018 Update) and in all versions of Windows 11. Older Windows versions require separate installation.

Do I need to restart my command prompt after installing cURL?

Yes, if you manually installed cURL and modified the system `PATH` environment variable, you must close any open command prompt or PowerShell windows and open a new one for the changes to take effect.

Why might cURL commands copied from Linux/macOS examples fail in Windows cmd?

The most common reason is the difference in handling quotes. Windows `cmd.exe` typically requires double quotes (") where Linux/macOS shells often use single quotes ('). Pay special attention to this when using options like -d (data) or -H (header).

Can I just use PowerShell instead of installing cURL?

For basic HTTP GET requests, PowerShell’s `(new-object net.webclient).DownloadString(‘URL’)` command can be an alternative. However, it lacks the extensive features of the full cURL tool and may have limitations, such as handling GET parameters incorrectly in some cases.

If I install Git for Windows, does that give me cURL?

Yes, installing Git for Windows typically includes Git Bash, a terminal environment that comes bundled with cURL. You can run `curl` commands directly within the Git Bash window.

Where is the best place to put the `curl.exe` file if installing manually?

The recommended approach is to create a dedicated folder (e.g., C:\curl\bin) for the `curl.exe` and any accompanying files (like ca-bundle.crt), and then add this folder’s path to your system’s `PATH` environment variable. While placing it directly in C:\Windows\System32 is mentioned as an option, managing it via the PATH variable is generally preferred for better organization.

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