Install uv on Windows Step by Step

uv is a fast Python package and project manager. It is written in Rust. Many developers now use it instead of pip and venv.

This guide shows you how to install uv on Windows. You will learn four methods. You will also learn how to check the install and fix common problems.

Every step is simple. Follow along from top to bottom.

What Is uv and Why Use It?

uv is a tool that manages Python packages and virtual environments. It is very fast. It can replace pip, pip-tools, and virtualenv.

Here are the main benefits:

Speed: uv installs packages much faster than pip.

Simplicity: One tool handles many tasks.

Compatibility: It works with standard Python projects.

If you write Python code on Windows, uv is a great addition to your workflow.

Before You Start

Check that Python is installed on your machine. Open PowerShell and run this command:

python --version

You should see output like this:

Python 3.12.4

If you see an error, install Python first. Then come back to this guide.

You also need a terminal. On Windows, you can use PowerShell or Command Prompt. This guide uses PowerShell.

Method 1: Install uv with the Official Installer

This is the easiest method. The official installer works on most Windows systems.

Open PowerShell. Run the following command:

powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"

Let us break this down. The irm command downloads the script. The iex command runs it.

The installer downloads uv and places it in your user folder. You will see progress messages in the terminal.

When it finishes, you should see output like this:

Downloading uv...
Installing uv to C:\Users\YourName\.local\bin
uv installed successfully

Now close PowerShell. Open it again. This reloads your PATH.

Method 2: Install uv with pip

If you already use pip, this method is quick. Run this command in PowerShell:

pip install uv

You will see output like this:

Collecting uv
  Downloading uv-0.4.18-py3-none-win_amd64.whl
Installing collected packages: uv
Successfully installed uv-0.4.18

This method installs uv inside your current Python environment. It works well if you use virtual environments.

One downside: uv is tied to that Python version. If you switch Python versions, you may need to reinstall it.

Method 3: Install uv with winget

winget is the Windows Package Manager. It comes with Windows 10 and 11.

Run this command in PowerShell:

winget install --id=astral-sh.uv -e

The -e flag means exact match. This avoids installing the wrong package.

You will see output like this:

Found uv [astral-sh.uv]
Successfully installed

This method is clean. It also makes updates easy. Just run winget upgrade later.

Method 4: Install uv with Scoop

Scoop is a command-line installer for Windows. If you use Scoop, run this:

scoop install uv

You will see output like this:

Installing 'uv' (0.4.18)
'uv' was installed successfully!

This method keeps uv in the Scoop folder. It is great for developers who manage many tools.

How to Verify the Installation

After any method, check that uv works. Open a new PowerShell window. Run this command:

uv --version

You should see output like this:

uv 0.4.18

If you see a version number, the install worked. If not, read the next section.

Fixing Common Problems

Problem 1: "uv is not recognized"

This means uv is not in your PATH. The PATH is a list of folders Windows searches for commands.

Close and reopen PowerShell. This fixes the issue most of the time.

If it still fails, add the uv folder to PATH manually. The folder is usually C:\Users\YourName\.local\bin.

To add it, open System Properties. Go to Environment Variables. Edit the Path variable and add the folder.

Problem 2: Permission Errors

Some commands need admin rights. Right-click PowerShell and choose Run as administrator.

Then run the install command again.

Problem 3: Old Version Still Active

You may have two versions of uv. Run where uv to see all copies.

where uv

The output lists each path. Remove the old one if needed.

Your First uv Command

Now that uv is installed, try it. Create a new project folder and run this command:

uv init myproject

This creates a new Python project. You will see a folder named myproject with basic files inside.

Next, add a package. Run this command:

uv add requests

uv installs the package fast. You will see output like this:

Resolved 5 packages in 120ms
Installed 5 packages in 80ms

That is it. You are now using uv on Windows.

How to Update uv

Updates bring new features and fixes. The update command depends on your install method.

For the official installer, run this:

uv self update

For pip, run this:

pip install --upgrade uv

For winget, run this:

winget upgrade astral-sh.uv

Keep uv updated for the best performance.

Tips for Windows Users

Use PowerShell 7 for the best experience. It is faster and more modern than the old version.

Enable long path support in Windows. Some Python projects use deep folder structures. Run this command as admin:

git config --system core.longpaths true

Also set your terminal to UTF-8. This avoids encoding errors in output.

Conclusion

Installing uv on Windows is quick and easy. You can use the official installer, pip, winget, or Scoop.

The official installer is best for most users. It is simple and keeps uv separate from Python.

After installing, always verify with uv --version. If you hit errors, check your PATH first.

uv makes Python work faster on Windows. Try it in your next project. You will notice the speed right away.