Git for Windows + MSYS2 (separate install)

Step 1: Install Git for Windows (Git only)

  1. Download Git:
    https://git-scm.com/download/win
  2. Run installer
    Important choice:
    • ✅ Git from the command line and also from 3rd-party software
  3. Finish installation
  4. Verify (in Git Bash):
git --version

Step 2: Install MSYS2 (this is where pacman comes from)

Git does not provide pacman anymore.
MSYS2 is now installed separately.

1. Download MSYS2

👉 https://www.msys2.org/

Click Download Installer.

2. Run MSYS2 installer

  • Accept defaults
  • Let it install to: C:\msys64

3. Open MSYS2 UCRT64 (important!)

From Start Menu, open:

MSYS2 UCRT64

⚠️ Do not use:

  • MSYS
  • MinGW32
  • MinGW64

UCRT64 gives the most Linux-like behavior.

4. Update MSYS2

In the MSYS2 terminal:

pacman -Syu

If it asks to close the terminal:

  • Close it
  • Reopen MSYS2 UCRT64
  • Run again if prompted

Step 3: Install make (and compiler)

In MSYS2 UCRT64:

pacman -S make

(Optional but strongly recommended for CS courses:)

pacman -S gcc

Verify

make --version
gcc --version
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