Amazon Web Services is one of the most used and topmost market leaders for cloud computing. And the AWS command-line interface is the open-source tool by which you can enable the ability to interact with all kinds of AWS services by simply using the commands or command-line shells. With the AWS CLI, you will get multi-level command lines directly for you to help with. and

To install the AWS CLI on Windows 10 or 11 is like walking through the complete process of installing and configuring the tool on your own. So here we are with the complete guide for you to understand what the AWS CLI for Windows 10 or 11 is and what the simplest way to install and configure it in your system is.

What is the AWS CLI on Windows 11 & 10?

The Amazon Web Services Command Line Interface is the main feature that provides you with the facility to manage the entire AWS services using the terminal sessions for your clients. It also allows you to control the AWS services programmatically even after configuring them altogether.

And if you install the AWS CLI on Windows, then you will automatically realize the power it holds to control multiple AWS services using command lines. By using cloud storage service or just one tool for the AWS CLI on Windows 10 & 11, you can easily control, configure, and download several AWS services using a command line and quickly automate them on your Windows. 

Install the AWS CLI on Windows

To Install AWS CLI on Windows is a process of a few steps only, and quite simple for the complete process of installing and configuring the tool on your own.

Step 1: Create a Secure AWS Account

To securely install and set up the AWS CLI on Windows 10, first you need to create and secure the AWS account. Make sure that to install AWS CLI on Windows, you do not need to create a root access key. And then also make sure that you enable MFA for the root user.

Step 2: Create an IAM User

After installing AWS CLI on Windows, to create an IAM user, you need to create an IAM user with administration access and access keys. This access key helps you with different levels of cloud security tool to your user ID. You need an IAM user with Administrator Access and some access keys for the next steps. And the following are the steps to do so: 

Step 1: Generate the IAM user with administration access, so you need to go to the ‘Console’ and then ‘IAM.’ Now click on ‘User’ and then ‘Create User.’

Set the username: <admin>

And for permissions: Select the ‘Attach Policies Directly’ and

Also, check for the AWS managed policy and set it to ‘AdministrativeAcess.’

Then click on the ‘Create User’ button to create the IAM user.

Step 2: And then you must generate access keys for the users. Go to the ‘IAM’ and then select ‘User’ and go to ‘Your User.’

Open the ‘Security Credential Tab’ and click on the ‘Create Access Key’ option.

After it is prompted, use case: Command Line Interface (CLI)

And add the description tab: ‘Optional.’

Then click on ‘Create Access Key’ to generate the access key for your CLI.

And make sure to download the ‘.csv’ file and store it in your system with complete security and privacy.

Also know: Cloud Security Best Practices

Step 3: Install AWS CLI on Windows

To install AWS CLI on Windows, open the document: ‘https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/userguide/getting-started-install.html,’ and with this page, go to Windows.

Now you need to download the AWS CLI MSI installer for your Windows and then run it for 64-bit.

After you complete the installation, you need to make sure and verify the installation. Then refresh the path for which you need to reopen the ‘Command Prompt.’

Then run: ‘aws —version.’

You will find something like ‘aws-cli/2.x.x Python/3.x.x Windows/11 exe/ AMD64.’

Step 4: Configure the AWS CLI Using the Access Keys

After you install AWS CLI on Windows, you also need to configure the AWS CLI using the access key you make. And to configure AWS CLI on Windows, here are the main steps for you to follow:

Step 1: Go to the command prompt and then run the ‘aws configure’ command. Then run the ’aws configure –profile my profile’ command. And you are suggested to use a named profile, or else the credentials might mix.

Step 2: After the command is prompted, you need to copy and paste the following values using the .csv files you downloaded.

AWS Access Key ID: your-access-key-id

AWS Secret Access Key: your-secret-access-key

Default region name: e.g., us-east-1

Default output format: Json

Step 3: Now you need to validate your ID using: ‘aws sts get-caller-identity.’

And here you will be able to see the AWS account and ID you have made and the user ARN.

Also know: How to Fix Steam Unable to Sync Cloud

Step 5: Install AWS SAM CLI on Windows

After you configure the AWS CLI on Windows, you need to run the installer for the AWS CLI on Windows 10, and then you also need to verify that too. And to run and verify the installer for the AWS CLI on Windows 10, following are the necessary steps to follow:

Run the installer and then verify the installation by reopening the command prompt. Now run the command that states ‘sam –version’ and you will see something like ‘SAM CLI, with version 1.xx.x.x.’

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the easiest way to install AWS CLI on Windows?

Ans. The easiest way to install the AWS CLI on Windows 1 or 10 is to simply download and run the official installer for AWS CLI, which is 64-bit.

Q2. What command do I need to run before you configure the AWS CLI?

Ans. To configure the AWS CLI, the first command you need is ‘aws configure,’ and this will start the complete process of an easy but interactive configuring process.

Q3. How can you update the AWS CLI on Windows that you are currently using in your system?

Ans. To update the AWS CLI on Windows you are currently using in your system, you need to install and re-run the latest version for the AWS CLI MSI installer. This will also help you in restoring the previous files with whatever configurations you have made.

Installing the AWS CLI on Windows 10 or 11 is a very easy-going process that you can perform with the help of a few steps mentioned in this article. And you will also encounter the steps to configure AWS CLI on Windows on your own, and once it is done, it is one of the most powerful tools to manage all the cloud resources in your system.