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How to Install AWS CLI on Windows

Install AWS CLI on Windows so you can run aws commands, configure credentials, and manage AWS resources without using the browser console for every task.

Vishal Hulawale
Vishal Hulawale·
April 2026·5 min read

Supported Versions

2 (latest)

Official Source

aws.amazon.com (official)

Environment Setup

1 PATH entry

Verify Step

aws --version

DevTools Installer is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the publisher of AWS CLI. All product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners. Downloads are sourced directly from the official publisher.

Install With DevTools Installer

Use this path if you want DevTools Installer to download the official package and handle the Windows setup for you.

  1. 1Open DevTools Installer.
  2. 2In Cloud & DevOps, select "AWS CLI".
  3. 3Click "Install Selected".
  4. 4Let the installer download the official MSI and run it silently.
  5. 5Open a new terminal window after the install finishes.
  6. 6Run to confirm the CLI is available, then run to add credentials.

Download Source

DevTools Installer downloads from the official publisher:

https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2.msi

PATH & Environment Variables

DevTools Installer sets the following automatically:

PATH entries

C:\Program Files\Amazon\AWSCLIV2

Verification

DevTools Installer verifies the install by running:

aws --version

Expected output: aws-cli/2.x.x Python/3.x.x Windows/10

Manual Installation Steps

Use these steps if you want to run the installer yourself and apply the Windows PATH or environment changes manually.

  1. 1Download the official MSI from https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2.msi
  2. 2Run the installer. If you need a silent install, run:
  3. 3The installer adds to PATH automatically.
  4. 4Open a new terminal and run .
  5. 5Run and enter your Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, and default region.

Need to upgrade, downgrade, or remove AWS CLI?

DevTools Installer can also upgrade AWS CLI to a newer version, roll back to an older one, or cleanly uninstall it — including PATH entries and environment variables. No manual cleanup required.

What Is AWS CLI Used For?

  • Managing AWS infrastructure — EC2 instances, S3 buckets, Lambda functions, and RDS databases from the command line.
  • Scripting cloud resource provisioning and teardown for development and testing environments.
  • Configuring AWS credentials and profiles for multi-account access.
  • Interacting with AWS services in CI/CD pipelines for automated deployments.
  • Debugging AWS configurations by inspecting IAM policies, security groups, and CloudWatch logs.

Common Issues And Fixes

Check the problem and the exact fix before you reinstall anything. Some guides also include the reason the issue happens.

Problem

"aws" is not recognized after installation

Exact fix

The MSI installer adds C:\Program Files\Amazon\AWSCLIV2 to PATH. Close and reopen your terminal. If the issue persists, verify the PATH entry exists in System Properties → Environment Variables.

Problem

AWS CLI returns "Unable to locate credentials"

Exact fix

Run "aws configure" to set up your Access Key ID, Secret Access Key, and default region. Credentials are stored at %USERPROFILE%\.aws\credentials.

Problem

Permission errors when running AWS commands

Exact fix

Your IAM user or role may lack the required permissions. Verify your policies in the AWS Console. Use "aws sts get-caller-identity" to confirm which identity is active.

Problem

SSL certificate verification fails behind a corporate proxy

Exact fix

Set the AWS_CA_BUNDLE environment variable to point to your corporate CA certificate. Alternatively, use "aws --no-verify-ssl" for testing (not recommended for production).

Tips for AWS CLI

  • ✓After installing, run "aws configure" to set up your credentials. You will need your AWS Access Key ID and Secret Access Key from the IAM console.
  • ✓Use named profiles for multiple AWS accounts: "aws configure --profile staging" and then "aws s3 ls --profile staging".
  • ✓AWS CLI v2 includes auto-complete for bash and zsh. On PowerShell, use "aws completer" for similar functionality.
  • ✓Use "aws --output table" for human-readable output, or "aws --output json" for scripting.

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