Guides: Using Git and Github for the Windows for newbies

This is pretty much the shorthand version of this blogpost: http://kylecordes.com/2008/04/30/git-windows-go/

Git Installation

There are currently two ways to install Git in Windows. One way is to install it together with cygwin . But the easiest way is to install git with msysGit.

Installing git with msysGit

Download the latest installer from Google code and run it. To avoid path conflicts, pick the “Use Git Bash only” setting during the installation.

Creating your very own SSH-key

In order to use git, you will need to generate a key. To do this open Git Bash (from the start menu, quicklauncher or right click a directory and choose “Git Bash Here”.) Type in the following:

$ ssh-keygen -C "your@email.com" -t rsa

Use your own email address of course. Use the default file name (id_rsa) and provide a password. The generated key will be stored in your profile, e.g.: C:\Documents and Settings\YourNameHere\.ssh\ on XP or C:\Users\YourNameHere\.ssh\ on Vista.

Identify yourself to git

With the bash shell still opened type in the following:

$ git config --global user.name "Your Name Here" 
$ git config --global user.email your@email.com

This will set the info stored when you commit to a git repository.

Now that you’ve set up git, you can find many more guides on how to use it in the guide list