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Cygwin is a free command line interface that allows you to install Linux software and use Linux commands on Windows without having to install Linux. While Cygwin may be unfamiliar to first-time users, it can become second nature with a little practice. Read on to learn how to install Cygwin, use the terminal, install and update software packages, and run basic Linux commands on Windows.
Using Cygwin: The BasicsInstall Cygwin to use Linux software and commands on Windows. The setup wizard installs a terminal app and basic tools, and you can install additional packages like Python or Ruby. Once installed, open "Cygwin64 Terminal" to access the CLI.