How to Download and Install VS Code on Windows 11

The safest way to install on Windows 11 is the official User Setup installer from [code.visualstudio.com](https://code.visualstudio.com/download). It does not need administrator permissions, installs only for your account, and handles updates automatically. ## Which installer to pick The Windows version comes in three forms. Most people should pick the first one. | Installer type | Administrator needed | Best for | |---|---|---| | User Setup (.exe) | No | Most users. Installs under your user folder, updates smoothly. | | System Setup (.exe) | Yes | Shared machines. Installs for all users under Program Files. | | ZIP archive | No | Portable use. No auto-update. Manual updates only. | Use the User Setup unless you share a computer and need the editor available for every account. ## Step-by-step installation Download the User Setup installer Go to [code.visualstudio.com/download](https://code.visualstudio.com/download) and click the **Windows** button. The site downloads the installer file automatically. If the download does not start, click the arrow next to the Windows button and choose **User Setup x64**. Run the installer Open the downloaded file. Windows may show a security prompt. Click **Yes** to continue. The setup wizard opens. Accept the license agreement and keep the default install location. It will be under your user folder in AppData. Choose additional tasks The installer shows a page titled **Select Additional Tasks**. Check these options: - **Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer file context menu.** Right-click any file or folder in File Explorer and open it in the editor. - **Add "Open with Code" action to Windows Explorer directory context menu.** Right-click any folder background to open it. - **Register Code as an editor for supported file types.** Make it the default for common code files. - **Add to PATH.** This lets you type a single command in any terminal to open the current folder. The PATH option is the most important one. It lets you open projects from PowerShell or Command Prompt without navigating menus. Finish the installation Click **Install**, then **Finish** when the setup completes. The editor launches automatically. You will see the Welcome page with options to start a new file, open a folder, or clone a repository. ## Verify the installation Open the editor from the Start menu. To confirm the version: - Go to **Help** > **About** in the menu bar. - The About window shows the version number, commit ID, and build date. - The version should match the latest stable release on the [download page](https://code.visualstudio.com/download). To test the terminal command, open PowerShell or Command Prompt. Type `code --version` and press Enter. You should see the version number, commit ID, and platform printed in the terminal. If the command is not recognized, restart your terminal and try again. The PATH change only applies to new terminal windows. ## Open your first project After installation, try opening a real folder. - Create a new folder on your desktop called `my-first-project`. - Open PowerShell or Command Prompt and navigate to the desktop: cd ~\Desktop - Type `code my-first-project` and press Enter. The editor opens with the folder loaded. The File Explorer sidebar on the left shows the folder name. Create a new file by clicking the **New File** icon in the Explorer sidebar. Name it `index.html`, type `!`, and press Tab. Emmet expands the shortcut into a full HTML skeleton. You just confirmed the editor is working. ## What to do next The editor is installed and running. Now set up a few essentials: choose a theme, enable Auto Save, install a language extension, and sign in to Copilot for AI features. Start with the [beginner setup guide](/vscode/vs-code-setup-for-beginners-essential-settings-extensions-and-first-project) for a guided walkthrough. If you work on other operating systems too, see the [macOS install guide](/vscode/how-to-install-vs-code-on-macos-and-add-the-code-command-to-path).