Setting Up and Using cURL on Windows

Introduction to cURL

cURL is a versatile command-line tool used for transferring data using various network protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more. It’s an indispensable utility for developers who need to interact with web services or perform automated downloads.

This tutorial will guide you through different methods of installing and configuring cURL on Windows platforms, ensuring it runs seamlessly from the command line.

Checking Pre-Installed Versions

Built-in in Windows 10

Starting with Windows 10 version 1803 (and earlier insider builds), a native version of curl.exe is included within your system at C:\Windows\System32\. You can directly run commands using this built-in utility without any additional installation.

To verify its presence and version:

C:\> C:\Windows\System32\curl --version

Git for Windows

If you have Git for Windows installed, it includes cURL. The executable is typically located in:

C:\Program Files\Git\mingw64\bin\curl.exe

Add this directory to your PATH environment variable to use it from any command prompt.

Installing cURL via Package Managers

Using a package manager can simplify the installation process and manage updates automatically. Here’s how you can install cURL using popular package managers on Windows:

Chocolatey:
```
choco install curl
```
MSYS2:
```
pacman -S curl
```
Scoop:
```
scoop install curl
```

Manual Installation

If you prefer or need to manually download and set up cURL, follow these steps:

Downloading the Correct Version

Visit cURL for Windows to download official builds. Avoid downloading source packages as they require compilation before use.

Extracting and Setting Up

Extract curl.exe: Unzip the downloaded file to find curl.exe, usually under a bin\ directory.
Choose a Location: Decide where you want cURL installed, e.g., C:\Program Files\curl\ or a shared tools directory like C:\tools\.
Update System PATH:
- Open the Start menu and type "environment".
- Select “Edit the system environment variables”.
- Go to the “Environment Variables” button.
- Under “System variables”, find and edit the Path variable.
- Add a semicolon (;) followed by your cURL directory, e.g., C:\Program Files\curl\.
- Save changes and reopen any command prompt windows.

Running cURL

With curl.exe added to your PATH, you can execute commands from anywhere in the terminal:

curl https://www.example.com

Using cURL with SSL

For SSL support, download OpenSSL DLLs from curl’s official site if not included with your version. Ensure these are accessible for secure connections.

Conclusion

cURL is an essential tool for developers working with network-based applications. Whether using a native installation in Windows 10 or manually setting up through package managers, cURL offers flexibility and power in handling web requests directly from the command line.

By following this guide, you should now have a fully functional cURL setup on your Windows system, ready to streamline your workflow by interacting with various network protocols effortlessly.