How to Install and Use AWS CLI on Windows 11 [Easy Steps]
Installing and using AWS CLI on Windows 11 is a simple process that enables powerful command-line control over AWS services. Instead of relying solely on the web interface, users can manage cloud resources efficiently through commands.
The AWS Command Line Interface (AWS CLI) is a powerful tool that allows users to manage AWS services directly from the command prompt or terminal. With this tool, you can create resources, configure services, upload files to cloud storage, manage servers, and automate repetitive tasks without opening the browser.
In this guide, you will learn how to install and use AWS CLI on Windows 11.
Let’s start the process!
How to Install and Use AWS CLI on Windows 11?
To install and use AWS CLI on Windows 11, download the official installer from the AWS website, run the installer, verify the installation using the command prompt, and configure it with your AWS Access Key and Secret Access Key using the aws configure command. After configuration, you can execute AWS commands from the Command Prompt or Windows Terminal to manage cloud resources.
The steps below explain the complete process in detail, from downloading the installer to running your first AWS CLI command.
Step 1: Create or Access Your AWS Account
Before installing the AWS CLI, you must have an AWS account. This account provides access to AWS services and allows the CLI tool to interact with the cloud platform.
Open your browser and visit the AWS website. If you already have an account, simply sign in using your credentials. If you do not have an account, create one by providing your email address, password, and billing details. AWS offers a free tier that allows new users to explore many services at no cost within certain limits.
After logging into the AWS Management Console, navigate to the Identity and Access Management (IAM) dashboard. In this section, you can create a user and generate the Access Key ID and Secret Access Key required for AWS CLI configuration.
Store these credentials safely because you will need them later during the CLI setup process.
Step 2: Download the AWS CLI Installer for Windows 11
The next step is downloading the official AWS CLI installer designed for Windows systems.
Open your web browser and go to the AWS CLI download page. On this page, you will find the AWS CLI version 2 installer for Windows. This version is recommended because it includes the latest features, improved security, and automatic updates.
Download the Windows MSI installer file to your computer. The file size is relatively small, and the download usually completes within a few seconds, depending on your internet connection.
Once the download is complete, locate the installer file in your Downloads folder. This installer will guide you through the process of installing AWS CLI on your Windows 11 computer.
Step 3: Install AWS CLI on Windows 11
After downloading the installer, the next step is to install the AWS CLI on your system.
Double-click the downloaded AWSCLIV2 MSI installer file. The installation wizard will open and display the setup interface.
Click the Next button to continue. The installer will guide you through the setup process, which typically includes accepting the license agreement and selecting the installation location.
In most cases, the default installation path is recommended because it ensures the CLI works correctly with system environment variables.
Click Install to begin the installation process. Windows will copy the required files and complete the setup automatically.
Once the installation finishes, click Finish to close the installer window. The AWS CLI is now installed on your Windows 11 computer.
Step 4: Verify the AWS CLI Installation
After installing the AWS CLI, it is important to confirm that the tool has been installed correctly.
Open Command Prompt or Windows Terminal on your Windows 11 system. You can do this by searching for Command Prompt in the Start menu and launching the application.
In the command window, type the following command:
aws –version
Press the Enter key. If the installation was successful, the system will display the installed version of the AWS CLI, along with details about the Python runtime and operating system.
Seeing the version information confirms that AWS CLI is properly installed and ready to use on your computer.
If the command does not work, you may need to restart your computer or check whether the CLI path has been added to your system environment variables.
Step 5: Configure AWS CLI Credentials
Once the installation is verified, the next step is to configure your AWS credentials.
In the Command Prompt or Windows Terminal, type the following command:
aws configure
Press Enter. The CLI will ask you to enter several pieces of information.
First, it will request your AWS Access Key ID. Enter the access key you generated from the IAM dashboard.
Next, it will ask for your AWS Secret Access Key. Enter the secret key associated with your access key.
After that, you will be prompted to provide the default region name. This determines which AWS region your commands will use by default. A common example is us-east-1.
Finally, the CLI will ask for the default output format. Many users choose json because it is widely used in scripting and automation.
After entering this information, the CLI will store the credentials securely in the configuration files located on your system.
Step 6: Test AWS CLI with a Basic Command
Now that your AWS CLI is configured, you can test it by running a simple command.
A common command used for testing is listing your Amazon S3 buckets.
In the command prompt, type:
aws s3 ls
Press Enter to run the command. If your configuration is correct, the CLI will display a list of all S3 buckets available in your AWS account.
This confirms that your computer is successfully connected to AWS services through the CLI.
You can now run additional commands to manage cloud resources, upload files, launch servers, or retrieve service information.
Step 7: Start Using AWS CLI for Cloud Management
Once the AWS CLI is installed and configured, you can begin using it for various cloud management tasks.
Developers commonly use commands to upload files to Amazon S3, start or stop EC2 instances, manage Lambda functions, and configure IAM roles. The CLI also supports scripting, which means you can automate entire workflows with a few lines of code.
For example, administrators can create backup scripts that automatically upload files to S3 or run commands that monitor system resources across multiple servers.
Learning AWS CLI commands can significantly improve productivity because you can perform complex tasks faster than using the web interface.
FAQs
What is AWS CLI used for?
The AWS CLI is a command-line tool that allows users to interact with AWS services directly from a terminal or command prompt. It enables tasks such as managing cloud storage, launching virtual machines, configuring security settings, and automating cloud operations.
Is AWS CLI free to use?
Yes, the AWS CLI tool itself is completely free. However, the AWS services you access through the CLI may incur charges depending on your usage and the resources you create.
Can beginners use AWS CLI?
Yes, beginners can easily start using AWS CLI. Although it may seem technical at first, learning basic commands like aws configure and aws s3 ls can help new users quickly understand how the tool works.
Where are AWS CLI credentials stored in Windows?
In Windows systems, AWS CLI credentials are typically stored in configuration files located inside the .aws folder within the user directory. These files contain your access keys and default configuration settings.
Do I need programming knowledge to use AWS CLI?
Programming knowledge is not strictly required to use AWS CLI. Basic command line familiarity is enough to run simple commands. However, scripting knowledge can help automate advanced tasks.