Git is a software configuration management (SCM) program. This is just a fancy way of saying that it’s a software package that tracks and controls changes in the code.

I initially installed Git because I was playing around with Vagrant (local web development). It’s also a safe way to get the nerdy Bash shell (UNIX-like scripting language) for Windows without going into Cygwin .

How to Update Git (Win7)

1. Download Git.

2. Install (current Git version 2.7.17).

These are the screen shots of my latest update which I installed over the existing files.

^ I left the default values here.

^ Nope. Change default editor.

^ Much better editor.

^ The “scary” option is the one I used in my initial install.

^ Used default.

^ Used default.

^ Used default.

^ Used default.

^ Used default.

^ No smoke coming out of the computer case and it looks like Git was updated.

3. Check installed version

Right Click anywhere in the Windows Desktop pane and select
Git Bash Here. The window below should pop open.

Enter $: git --version

If it returns the version you wanted to install…

You’re good to go!