winget is the built-in package manager in Windows 10/11. One command installs AWS CLI v2 — no MSI download, no browser needed.
Install with winget
Open PowerShell or Command Prompt:
winget install Amazon.AWSCLI
That’s it. Close and reopen your terminal, then verify:
aws --version
# aws-cli/2.17.x Python/3.12.x Windows/10 exe/AMD64
Alternative: MSI Installer
If winget isn’t available:
# Download and run the MSI
msiexec.exe /i https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2.msi
Or download from https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2.msi and double-click.
Configure Credentials
aws configure
# AWS Access Key ID [None]: AKIA...
# AWS Secret Access Key [None]: ****
# Default region name [None]: us-east-1
# Default output format [None]: json
Credentials are stored in %USERPROFILE%\.aws\credentials.
Named Profiles
aws configure --profile production
# Use in Terraform:
$env:AWS_PROFILE = "production"
terraform plan
SSO
aws configure sso
aws sso login --profile my-org
$env:AWS_PROFILE = "my-org"
terraform plan
Verify
# Check identity
aws sts get-caller-identity
# List S3 buckets
aws s3 ls
# Terraform uses same credentials
terraform init
terraform plan
Update
winget upgrade Amazon.AWSCLI
Uninstall
winget uninstall Amazon.AWSCLI
PowerShell Autocomplete
# Add to $PROFILE
Register-ArgumentCompleter -Native -CommandName aws -ScriptBlock {
param($wordToComplete, $commandAst, $cursorPosition)
$env:COMP_LINE = $commandAst.ToString()
$env:COMP_POINT = $cursorPosition
aws_completer.exe | ForEach-Object {
[System.Management.Automation.CompletionResult]::new($_, $_, 'ParameterValue', $_)
}
Remove-Item Env:\COMP_LINE
Remove-Item Env:\COMP_POINT
}
Install Terraform Too
# While you're at it
winget install HashiCorp.Terraform
terraform version
Troubleshooting
“aws is not recognized”
Close and reopen your terminal after installation. If still not found:
# Check if aws.exe exists
Get-Command aws -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
# Add to PATH manually if needed
$env:PATH += ";C:\Program Files\Amazon\AWSCLIV2"
“Unable to locate credentials”
# Verify credentials exist
aws configure list
# Check for environment variable overrides
Get-ChildItem env:AWS_*
winget Not Available
Windows 10 version 1809+ and Windows 11 include winget. If missing:
# Install from Microsoft Store: "App Installer"
# Or use the MSI method above
Hands-On Courses
- Terraform for Beginners on CopyPasteLearn
- Terraform By Example — practical code examples
Conclusion
winget install Amazon.AWSCLI is the fastest way to get AWS CLI on Windows. One command, auto-updates with winget upgrade, and credentials work automatically with Terraform. No browser download needed.
