--- title: "How to Install Neovim (NVIM) on Windows" description: "Learn how to use this enhanced version of VIM for Windows with the Neovim (NVIM) client in this ATA Learning tutorial!" canonical: "https://adamtheautomator.com/nvim/" --- # How to Install Neovim (NVIM) on Windows > Learn how to use this enhanced version of VIM for Windows with the Neovim (NVIM) client in this ATA Learning tutorial! Source: https://adamtheautomator.com/nvim/ --- ATA Learning Tap to hide [ ATA Learning ](/) * [Home](/) * [Tutorials](/tutorials/) * [Instructors](/author/) * [Advertising](/advertising/) * [Recommended Resources](/resources/) * [About Adam](/about-adam/) Search for: * [](https://twitter.com/adbertram) * [](https://github.com/Adam-the-Automator) * [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/adam-the-automator-llc) * [](/feed/) ![How to Install Neovim (NVIM) on Windows](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Creating-a-ZSH-Alias-to-Boost-Your-Shell-Productivity-1200-×-675-px.jpg) # How to Install Neovim (NVIM) on Windows [![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1bc5e1d52466fc3739f550c8d78be310684747bf1466a98d698320627ea243e2?s=192&d=mm&r=g)Michael Nguyen Tu](https://adamtheautomator.com/author/michael-nguyen-tu/)24 November 20227 min. read Categories: [IT Ops](/category/it-ops/) Tags:[NeoVim](/tag/neovim/)[NVIM](/tag/nvim/) Table of Contents * [Prerequisites](#prerequisites) * [Installing Neovim via MSI](#installing-neovim-via-msi) * [Installing Nvim Using Chocolatey](#installing-nvim-using-chocolatey) * [Installing Nvim Using Winget](#installing-nvim-using-winget) * [Installing Nvim Using Scoop](#installing-nvim-using-scoop) * [Opening Nvim to Edit Texts](#opening-nvim-to-edit-texts) * [Configuring the vim-plug](#configuring-the-vim-plug) * [Installing a Plug-in with the vim-plug Manager](#installing-a-plug-in-with-the-vim-plug-manager) * [Conclusion](#conclusion) Fast and reliable, Neovim (Nvim) is an excellent choice for those looking to make the switch from Vim. Compatible with most Vim plugins, including Ruby and Python plugins, Neovim seeks to refactor Vim aggressively. In this tutorial, you will learn many ways to install Neovim on Windows and see how this powerful tool works. Ready? Stay tuned and make your scripting more enjoyable with Neovim! ## Prerequisites This tutorial comprises hands-on demonstrations. To follow along, ensure you have the following in place: * A computer running Windows 7 or later – This tutorial uses Windows 10. * Chocolatey (Windows package manager) installed. Related:[How to Install Chocolatey and Get Started in No Time](https://adamtheautomator.com/install-chocolatey/) * A code editor – This tutorial uses [Visual Studio Code (VS Code)](https://code.visualstudio.com/download). Related:[The Visual Studio Code Tutorial Worth Learning](https://adamtheautomator.com/visual-studio-code-tutorial/) * You have [Git installed](https://git-scm.com/downloads) on the system. ## Installing Neovim via MSI Even though Neovim is a cross-platform tool, it is not installed by default on your Windows system. The most recommended way to install on Windows is through its official release page on GitHub. To download and install via MSI: 1\. Open your favorite web browser, and visit the Neovim [GitHub release page](https://github.com/neovim/neovim/releases). 2\. Next, scroll down to the **Assets** section, expand it, and click the **nvim-win64.msi** link to download the installer. ![Downloading Nvim MSI](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-345.png) Downloading Nvim MSI 3\. Once downloaded, double-click on the installer to launch the setup wizard. 4\. Now, click **Next** on the welcome screen to continue. ![Acknowledging the welcome screen](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-346.png) Acknowledging the welcome screen 5\. On the next screen, tick the checkbox at the bottom to agree to the End-User License Agreement (EULA), and click **Next**. ![Accepting the license agreement](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-347.png) Accepting the license agreement 6\. Next, click **Change** to choose a destination to install or keep the default, and click **Next**. ![Choosing a location to install Nvim](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-348.png) Choosing a location to install Nvim 7\. Click **Install** to start the installation process. ![Installing Nvim ](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-349.png) Installing Nvim ![Viewing the installation process](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-349.png) Viewing the installation process 8\. Click **Finish** once the installation completes, closing the setup wizard. ![Finishing the installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-351.png) Finishing the installation 9\. Lastly, open PowerShell as [administrato](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-run-as-administrator/)r and run the `nvim` command below to check the version installed on your computer. Related:[Discover How to Run PowerShell as Administrator](https://adamtheautomator.com/powershell-run-as-administrator/) ```powershell nvim -v ``` The output below shows the installed Neovim version, which confirms that it has been successfully installed. ![Checking the installed Nvim version](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-352.png) Checking the installed Nvim version ## Installing Nvim Using Chocolatey Installing Nvim with the MSI package works fine but completing the installation takes too much clicking. If you primarily work on a command-line environment, installing via chocolatey is also an option. Chocolatey is a package manager for Windows that lets you quickly install software like Neovim. This package manager is similar apt on Linux or Homebrew on macOS. Related:[How to Install Homebrew on macOS](https://adamtheautomator.com/install-homebrew/) Run the below `choco` command to install (`neovim`) and all dependencies required to run the tool. ```powershell choco install neovim ``` ![Installing neovim](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-353.png) Installing neovim Once the installation completes, run the following `nvim` command to check the installed version (`-v`) of Neovim on your computer. ```powershell nvim -v ``` Below, you can see its version number and other information, which verifies the successful installation. ![Verifying the installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-354.png) Verifying the installation ## Installing Nvim Using Winget Another tool you can use to install Neovim on Windows is Winget, a package manager for Windows created by Microsoft. Even though Winget is still in development, this tool is stable enough for everyday use. Related:[Install & Manage Applications with the Powerful Winget Tool](https://adamtheautomator.com/winget/) To install using Winget, follow the steps below: 1\. Run the below [`winget`](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/search) command to `search` for the `nvim` package. ```powershell winget search nvim ``` Below, the first result is the latest stable release of Neovim, and the second is the latest nightly build. A nightly build is a version that contains the latest changes and features. This build is updated every day and is considered to be less stable than the latest stable release. Take note of the version ID to install. In this example, you will install the latest stable release with an Id of **Neovim.Neovim**. ![Searching for the Nvim package](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-355.png) Searching for the Nvim package 2\. Next, run the below `winget install` command to install the latest stable version (`Neovim.Neovim`). ```powershell winget install Neovim.Neovim ``` ![Verify the Nvim installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-356.png) Verify the Nvim installation 3\. Finally, run the command to verify the installation. ```bash nvim ``` ![Verify the Nvim installation](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-357.png) Verify the Nvim installation ## Installing Nvim Using Scoop Scoop is another package manager for Windows, similar to Chocolatey and Winget. Related:[How to Install and Use the Scoop Windows Package Manager](https://adamtheautomator.com/scoop-windows/) To install using Scoop: 1\. Run the below `scoop` command to add the `extras` `bucket`. A bucket in Scoop is a collection of packages, and the `extras` bucket contains packages that are not in the main buckets, including neovim-qt. ```powershell scoop bucket add extras ``` ![Adding the extras bucket](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-358.png) Adding the extras bucket 2\. Next, run the below command to `install` the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime (`vcredist2022`), a requirement for running Neovim. ```powershell scoop install vcredist2022 ``` ![Installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-359.png) Installing the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime 3\. Once installed, run the below command to `install` the following: * `neovim` – Neovim’s latest stable release. * `neovim-qt` – A GUI for Neovim based on Qt, a cross-platform application framework. ```powershell # Install Nvim scoop install neovim # Install Nvim's GUI scoop install neovim-qt ``` ![Installing neovim and neovim-qt](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-360.png) Installing neovim and neovim-qt ![Installing neovim and neovim-qt](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-361.png) Installing neovim and neovim-qt 4\. Finally, run the `nvim` command below to open. ```powershell nvim ``` The output below verifies that it has been successfully installed on your machine. ![Opening nvim](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-357.png) Opening nvim ## Opening Nvim to Edit Texts Regardless of which method you used to install Nvim, you still have to test if the tool actually works. To see Neovim in action, you will edit and save a text file: 1\. Run the below command to open if you have already closed Neovim. ```powershell nvim ``` 2\. Next, run the `:pwd` command below to see your working directory. The colon (`:`) is the Nvim command character. Anything you type after the colon is interpreted as a Neovim command. ```bash :pwd ``` ![:pwd command to see your working directory ](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-363.png) :pwd command to see your working directory At the bottom of the PowerShell console, you will see something similar to the one below. ![Checking the working directory](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-364.png) Checking the working directory 3\. Run the below command to edit (`:e`) a text file, replacing `nvim.txt` with the name of any text file you want to edit. ```bash :e nvim.txt ``` 4\. Now, press the letter ‘I’ to enter the insert mode and type in something like **Hello nvim**. ![Editing a text file](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-365.png) Editing a text file 5\. Press ESC and run the `:x` command, which does not provide output but saves the changes and closes the file. ```bash :x ``` 6\. Lastly, navigate to the current directory(_C:\\Users\\ata_) in File Explorer and open the file in Notepad to see your changes to the text file, like in the screenshot below. ![Verifying the changes to the text file](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-366.png) Verifying the changes to the text file ## Configuring the vim-plug The installation would not be complete without configuring the vim-plug, a plugin manager for Vim and Neovim. Plugin managers ease the process of installing, updating, and removing plugins. And the vim-plug is one of the most popular plugin managers for Vim. Run the following commands to create a new folder called `autoload` if it does not exist and download the `plug.vim` file into that folder. The `plug.vim` file contains the vim-plug source code ```powershell # Create a new folder called autoload md ~\AppData\Local\nvim\autoload # Downloads plug.vim file $uri = 'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/junegunn/vim-plug/master/plug.vim' (New-Object Net.WebClient).DownloadFile( $uri, $ExecutionContext.SessionState.Path.GetUnresolvedProviderPathFromPSPath( "~\AppData\Local\nvim\autoload\plug.vim" ) ) ``` ![Configuring the vim-plug](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-367.png) Configuring the vim-plug Now, run the below command to list (`ls`) all files and folders in `*autoload*` folder ```powershell ls -l ~\\AppData\\Local\\nvim\\autoload ``` The output below verifies the _plug.vim_ file was created successfully. ![Verifying the plug.vim file was created successfully](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-368.png) Verifying the _plug.vim_ file was created successfully ## Installing a Plug-in with the vim-plug Manager Now that you have vim-plug installed, it is time to see how it works by installing a plug-in. But which type of plug-ins can you install? In the context of text editors, a plugin is a piece of software that adds new features or functionality to the editor. For example, some plugins function as follows: * Add syntax highlighting for different programming languages. * Add color schemes. * Add keyboard shortcuts. > 💡 _There are thousands of Vim plugins available. Visit the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/rockerBOO/awesome-neovim) for a list of popular Vim plugins._ In this tutorial, you will install the NERDTree plugin, a file explorer plugin for Neovim. This plugin allows you to explore and manage your filesystem. To install a plug-in: 1\. Open File Explorer, and navigate to the _C:\\Users\\%USERPROFILE%\\AppData\\Local\\nvim_ folder. Replace %USERPROFILE% with your actual username. 2\. Next, create a new folder called _**plugged**_. This folder is where vim-plug will download and install plugins. ![Creating a new folder named plugged](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-369.png) Creating a new folder named plugged 3\. Run the below command to create a new file called _**init.vim**_ using Neovim. This file will be the Neovim configuration file, similar to the _.vimrc_ file in Vim, which tells Neovim which plugins to install. ```bash :e C:\Users\%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\nvim\init.vim ``` 4\. Press I to enter the insert mode, and add the code below. This code tells Neovim to install the `nerdtree` plugin from the official GitHub repository where: * `plug#begin()` – Tells vim-plug where to download and install plugins.`plug#end()` – Tells vim-plug to stop looking for plugins. The lines between the functions are plugin declarations, and you can put many plugin declarations, each on its own line. ``` " Tells vim-plug where to install plugins. call plug#begin('C:\Users\Your_Username\AppData\Local\nvim\plugged\') " Tells vim-plug where to download plugins. Plug Plug 'https://github.com/scrooloose/nerdtree' " Tells vim-plug to stop looking for plugins. call plug#end() ``` 5\. Press ESC and run `:wq` to save your changes and close the _**init.vim**_ file. ```powershell :wq ``` 6\. Now, run the below command to install any plug-in you specified in the _init.vim_ file, which in this case, is the `nerdtree` plugin. ```powershell :PlugInstall ``` At this point, the NERDTree plugin is installed and ready to use. ![Installing NERDTree Plug-in](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-370.png) Installing NERDTree Plug-in 7\. Once installed, navigate to the _C:\\Users\\%USERPROFILE%\\AppData\\Local\\nvim\\plugged\\_ folder, and you will see a new folder called _**nerdtree**_, as shown below. This folder is where vim-plug downloaded and installed the NERDTree plugin. ![Confirming NERDTree is installed](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-371.png) Confirming NERDTree is installed 8\. Finally, run the following command to access the NERDTree plugin. ```powershell :NERDTree ``` Below, you can see the NERDTree opens a file explorer in a split window. Now, you can select files and folders with the basic keystrokes, like the arrow keys and the Enter key, to open them. ![Accessing the NERDTree plugin](https://adamtheautomator.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-372.png) Accessing the NERDTree plugin ## Conclusion A fast and reliable text editor is an essential tool for any programmer. Vim is a popular text editor among developers but has a steep learning curve. Nvim, on the other hand, is a fork of Vim with many enhancements and improvements. In this tutorial, you learned how to install Neovim on Windows to edit texts and installed the NERDTree plugin to manage your file system without switching between different windows. Neovim has so much to offer. Why not learn more about using this powerful text editor? Perhaps start using [syntax highlighting](https://neovim.io/doc/user/syntax.html)? Play with colors and enjoy coding with Nvim! 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