This is microsoft/git, a special Git distribution to support monorepo scenarios. If you are not working in a monorepo, you are likely searching for Git for Windows instead of this codebase.
In addition to the Git command-line interface (CLI), microsoft/git includes the Scalar CLI to further enable working with extremely large repositories. Scalar is a tool to apply the latest recommendations and use the most advanced Git features.
Publisher’s description
What is Git?
Git by The Git Client Team at Microsoft is open-source Windows software in the version control category. It is written in C.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (Inno Setup) installers for 64-bit and ARM64 Windows. Installation asks for administrator rights. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 2.56.0.0.2, released on October 16, 2026. The version history goes back to May 5, 2021: 53 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 9.7 releases a year. The last update is less than a month old.
Popularity and file types
The source code on GitHub (microsoft/git) has 906 stars. On Windows it registers 4 file types, including .sh, .gitattributes, .gitignore and .gitmodules. Similar programs include Git, GitHub CLI and GitTools GitVersion.
Project description on GitHub: “A fork of Git containing Microsoft-specific patches.”
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Open source: the code can be inspected and built by anyone
- Native ARM64 build for Windows on Arm
- Documented silent install
- Frequent updates (about 9.7 a year)
Cons
- Installation needs administrator rights
In short: Git is an open-source version control tool for 64-bit and ARM64 PCs. It is actively maintained. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Git safe to download?
- The file is served by github.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
F4917744C42780EA30BBD417D6290F7172E4340F27F175F3F4C61CEE89FCADA0· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link has not been checked yet
- The source code is public
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Security practices (OpenSSF Scorecard)
Automated checks of the microsoft/git repository on GitHub by the Open Source Security Foundation, last run on October 19, 2026.
- Code review10
- Security policy10
- No dangerous workflows10
- Actively maintained10
- No binaries in the repository10
- Fuzzing10
- Static code analysis10
- Licence declared9
- Branch protection5
- Restricted token permissions0
- OpenSSF Best Practices badge0
- Pinned dependencies0
- Signed releases0
The score rates how the project is developed and released, not whether the program is safe to install. scorecard.dev
Recent versions
All 53 versions ›53 versions over 5 years · about 9.7 a year
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Microsoft.Git -eGit-2.56.0.vfs.0.2-64-bit.exe /SP- /VERYSILENT /SUPPRESSMSGBOXES /NORESTARTProgram files (.exe): git.exe
Related guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- The Git Client Team at Microsoft
- Category
- Version control
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Price
- Free
- Source code
- github.com/microsoft/git
- Written in
- C
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10
- Architecture
- 64-bit, ARM64
- Installer
- EXE (Inno Setup)
- Version
- 2.56.0.0.2
- Released
- October 16, 2026
- Added to the catalogue
- June 25, 2021
- Versions listed
- 53
- Updates / year
- 9.7
- GitHub stars
- 906
- GitHub forks
- 109
- Website
- github.com
- winget ID
- Microsoft.Git
File types it opens (4)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
Alternatives to Git
See all ›-
Open source20.1M ↓ -
Open source1.1M ↓ -
Open source1.1M ↓ -
Git Extensions7.2.1.7Git Extensions is a standalone UI tool for managing git repositories. It also integrates with Windows Explorer and Microsoft Visual Studio (2015/2017/2019).Open source439.1K ↓ -
Mercurial7.1.2Mercurial is a free, distributed source control management tool. It efficiently handles projects of any size and offers an easy and intuitive interface.Open source280.5K ↓ -
Open source6.9K ↓ -
Open source6.8K ↓ -
Open source1.1M ↓
Frequently asked questions
Is Git free?
Yes. Git is open-source software under the GPL-2.0 licence.
Is Git safe to download?
The download comes from github.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Git with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Git be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Does Git run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
Yes, there is a native ARM64 installer.
Where can I download an older version of Git?
The versions page lists all 53 versions with links to their official installer files, back to May 5, 2021.
Can I use Git without administrator rights?
Yes, there is a per-user installer that does not need administrator rights.
What are alternatives to Git?
Git, GitHub CLI, GitTools GitVersion, Git Extensions and Mercurial. The alternatives page compares them.
