Windows Developer Machine Setup Guide: Complete PowerShell Environment

Setting up a Windows development machine for DevOps and cloud development requires a different approach than traditional Unix-like systems. This guide focuses on leveraging Windows-native tools and PowerShell to create a powerful, efficient development environment that stays within the Windows ecosystem.

Whether you’re working with Azure, AWS, or multi-cloud environments, this Windows-centric setup will give you all the tools you need for modern infrastructure as code and cloud development.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have:

  • Windows 10/11 Pro or Enterprise (for some advanced features)
  • Administrator privileges
  • Internet connection
  • Basic command-line familiarity

1. Windows Package Managers and System Updates

Windows Update

# Check for and install Windows updates
Get-WindowsUpdate -Install -AcceptAll -AutoReboot
# Or use Windows Settings: Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update

Install Package Managers

Chocolatey (Essential Windows Package Manager)

# Install Chocolatey
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; `
[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = `
[System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; `
iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

# Verify installation
choco --version

# Enable global confirmation
choco feature enable -n allowGlobalConfirmation

Winget (Microsoft’s Official Package Manager)

# Winget comes pre-installed on Windows 10/11
# If not available, install from Microsoft Store or GitHub

# Verify installation
winget --version

# Update winget
winget upgrade --id Microsoft.Winget.Source --source winget

Scoop (Alternative Package Manager)

# Install Scoop
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
irm get.scoop.sh | iex

# Add buckets
scoop bucket add extras
scoop bucket add versions
scoop bucket add nerd-fonts

2. PowerShell Setup and Configuration

PowerShell Version Check and Update

# Check current PowerShell version
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion

# Install PowerShell 7 (recommended)
winget install --id Microsoft.PowerShell --source winget

# Or using Chocolatey
choco install powershell-core

PowerShell Profile Configuration

# Check current profile path
$PROFILE

# Create profile directory if it doesn't exist
if (!(Test-Path -Path $PROFILE)) {
    New-Item -ItemType File -Path $PROFILE -Force
}

# Edit profile (opens in default editor)
notepad $PROFILE
# Or use VS Code: code $PROFILE

Add the following to your PowerShell profile:

# PowerShell Profile Configuration
# =================================

# Set execution policy for current session
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope Process -Force

# Oh My Posh for beautiful prompts (install first: winget install JanDeDobbeleer.OhMyPosh)
oh-my-posh init pwsh --config "$env:POSH_THEMES_PATH\clean-detailed.omp.json" | Invoke-Expression

# Import modules
Import-Module posh-git
Import-Module PSReadLine
Import-Module Terminal-Icons

# PSReadLine configuration for better command-line experience
Set-PSReadLineOption -EditMode Windows
Set-PSReadLineOption -HistoryNoDuplicates
Set-PSReadLineOption -HistorySearchCursorMovesToEnd
Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionSource History
Set-PSReadLineOption -PredictionViewStyle ListView

# Key bindings
Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key UpArrow -Function HistorySearchBackward
Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key DownArrow -Function HistorySearchForward
Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key Tab -Function Complete
Set-PSReadLineKeyHandler -Key Ctrl+d -Function DeleteCharOrExit

# Aliases
Set-Alias ll Get-ChildItem
Set-Alias grep Select-String
Set-Alias touch New-Item
Set-Alias which Get-Command
Set-Alias open Invoke-Item

# Git aliases
function gs { git status }
function ga { git add . }
function gc { param($m) git commit -m $m }
function gp { git push }
function gl { git log --oneline -10 }
function gd { git diff }

# Terraform aliases
function tf { terraform $args }
function tfi { terraform init }
function tfp { terraform plan }
function tfa { terraform apply }
function tfd { terraform destroy }

# AWS aliases
function aws-whoami { aws sts get-caller-identity }

# Navigation functions
function dev { Set-Location ~/dev }
function docs { Set-Location ~/Documents }
function dl { Set-Location ~/Downloads }

function mkcd { param($dir) mkdir $dir; Set-Location $dir }

# Environment variables
$env:EDITOR = "code"
$env:VISUAL = "code"

# Path additions
$env:Path += ";$env:USERPROFILE\bin"
$env:Path += ";$env:USERPROFILE\.local\bin"

# Custom prompt function
function prompt {
    $location = Get-Location
    $gitBranch = ""
    if (Test-Path .git) {
        $gitBranch = " ($(git branch --show-current))"
    }
    "PS $($location.Path)$gitBranch> "
}

# Load additional configurations
$configPath = Join-Path $PSScriptRoot "powershell-config.ps1"
if (Test-Path $configPath) {
    . $configPath
}

# Welcome message
Write-Host "🚀 PowerShell environment loaded!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "💡 Type 'help' for available commands" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Essential PowerShell Modules

# Install essential modules
Install-Module -Name posh-git -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Install-Module -Name PSReadLine -Scope CurrentUser -AllowPrerelease -Force
Install-Module -Name Terminal-Icons -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Install-Module -Name oh-my-posh -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Install-Module -Name PSFzf -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Install-Module -Name PSWindowsUpdate -Scope CurrentUser -Force

# AWS PowerShell module
Install-Module -Name AWSPowerShell.NetCore -Scope CurrentUser -Force

# Azure PowerShell module
Install-Module -Name Az -Scope CurrentUser -AllowClobber -Force

# Docker module
Install-Module -Name DockerMsftProvider -Scope CurrentUser -Force

3. Windows Terminal Setup

Install Windows Terminal

# Install Windows Terminal using winget
winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal --source winget

# Or using Chocolatey
choco install microsoft-windows-terminal

Windows Terminal Configuration

// Open settings.json in Windows Terminal (Ctrl+,)
// Add this configuration:

{
  "$schema": "https://aka.ms/terminal-profiles-schema",
  "defaultProfile": "{574e775e-4f2a-5b96-ac1e-a2962a402336}",
  "profiles": {
    "defaults": {
      "fontFace": "Cascadia Code",
      "fontSize": 11,
      "colorScheme": "Campbell Powershell",
      "useAcrylic": true,
      "acrylicOpacity": 0.75
    },
    "list": [
      {
        "guid": "{574e775e-4f2a-5b96-ac1e-a2962a402336}",
        "name": "PowerShell",
        "commandline": "powershell.exe",
        "hidden": false
      },
      {
        "guid": "{61c54bbd-c2c6-5271-96e7-009a87ff44bf}",
        "name": "PowerShell 7",
        "commandline": "pwsh.exe",
        "hidden": false
      },
      {
        "guid": "{07b52e3e-de2c-5db4-bd2d-ba144ed6c273}",
        "name": "Ubuntu (WSL)",
        "commandline": "wsl.exe -d Ubuntu",
        "hidden": false
      },
      {
        "guid": "{0caa0dad-35be-5f56-a8ff-afceeeaa6101}",
        "name": "Command Prompt",
        "commandline": "cmd.exe",
        "hidden": false
      }
    ]
  },
  "schemes": [
    {
      "name": "Dracula",
      "background": "#282A36",
      "black": "#21222C",
      "blue": "#BD93F9",
      "brightBlack": "#6272A4",
      "brightBlue": "#D6ACFF",
      "brightCyan": "#A4FFFF",
      "brightGreen": "#69FF94",
      "brightPurple": "#FF92DF",
      "brightRed": "#FF6E6E",
      "brightWhite": "#FFFFFF",
      "brightYellow": "#FFFFA5",
      "cyan": "#8BE9FD",
      "foreground": "#F8F8F2",
      "green": "#50FA7B",
      "purple": "#FF79C6",
      "red": "#FF5555",
      "white": "#F8F8F2",
      "yellow": "#F1FA8C"
    }
  ],
  "actions": [
    {
      "command": "find",
      "keys": "ctrl+shift+f"
    },
    {
      "command": "splitPane",
      "keys": "ctrl+shift+5"
    },
    {
      "command": {
        "action": "splitPane",
        "split": "vertical"
      },
      "keys": "ctrl+shift+v"
    }
  ]
}

4. Git Setup with SSH on Windows

Install Git for Windows

# Install Git using winget
winget install --id Git.Git --source winget

# Or using Chocolatey
choco install git

# Verify installation
git --version

Git Configuration

# Set Git configuration
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
git config --global credential.helper wincred
git config --global core.autocrlf input

# Set up useful aliases
git config --global alias.co checkout
git config --global alias.br branch
git config --global alias.ci commit
git config --global alias.st status

SSH Key Generation

# Generate SSH key
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your.email@example.com" -f "$env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519" -N '""'

# Start SSH agent
Start-Service ssh-agent
ssh-add "$env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519"

# Copy public key to clipboard
Get-Content "$env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub" | Set-Clipboard

Test SSH Connection

# Test GitHub
ssh -T git@github.com

# Test GitLab
ssh -T git@gitlab.com

5. Terraform Installation and Setup

Install Terraform

# Install using Chocolatey
choco install terraform

# Or using winget
winget install --id Hashicorp.Terraform --source winget

# Or manually download from HashiCorp
# Download from: https://www.terraform.io/downloads
# Extract to: C:\terraform
# Add to PATH

# Verify installation
terraform version

Terraform Configuration

# Create Terraform directory
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path "$env:USERPROFILE\.terraform.d" -Force

# Create credentials file
@"
{
  "credentials": {
    "app.terraform.io": {
      "token": "your-terraform-cloud-token-here"
    }
  }
}
"@ | Out-File -FilePath "$env:USERPROFILE\.terraform.d\credentials.tfrc.json" -Encoding UTF8

# Set environment variable
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("TF_CLI_CONFIG_FILE", "$env:USERPROFILE\.terraform.d\credentials.tfrc.json", "User")

# Install autocomplete
terraform -install-autocomplete

6. AWS CLI and PowerShell Tools

Install AWS CLI

# Install AWS CLI v2 using Chocolatey
choco install awscli

# Or using winget
winget install --id Amazon.AWSCLI --source winget

# Or manual installation
# Download from: https://awscli.amazonaws.com/AWSCLIV2.msi
# Run installer

# Verify installation
aws --version

AWS CLI Configuration

# Configure AWS CLI
aws configure

# Create additional profiles
aws configure --profile dev
aws configure --profile staging
aws configure --profile prod

# Set default profile
[Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("AWS_PROFILE", "dev", "User")

# Install AWS PowerShell module
Install-Module -Name AWSPowerShell.NetCore -Scope CurrentUser -Force

# Import AWS module in profile
# Add to $PROFILE: Import-Module AWSPowerShell.NetCore

AWS Tools for PowerShell

# Install AWS Tools
Install-Module -Name AWS.Tools.Common -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Install-Module -Name AWS.Tools.EC2 -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Install-Module -Name AWS.Tools.S3 -Scope CurrentUser -Force
Install-Module -Name AWS.Tools.IAM -Scope CurrentUser -Force

# Example usage in PowerShell
# Import-Module AWS.Tools.Common
# Set-AWSCredential -ProfileName dev
# Get-EC2Instance

7. Visual Studio Code Setup for Windows

Install VS Code

# Install using winget
winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --source winget

# Or using Chocolatey
choco install vscode

# Install VS Code Insiders (optional)
winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode.Insiders --source winget

Essential Extensions Installation

# Install extensions using command line
code --install-extension ms-vscode.vscode-typescript-next
code --install-extension ms-python.python
code --install-extension ms-vscode.vscode-json
code --install-extension hashicorp.terraform
code --install-extension hashicorp.hcl
code --install-extension ms-vscode.vscode-docker
code --install-extension ms-vscode.vscode-yaml
code --install-extension amazonwebservices.aws-toolkit-vscode
code --install-extension ms-vscode.powershell
code --install-extension msazurermtools.azurerm-vscode-tools
code --install-extension eamodio.gitlens
code --install-extension github.copilot
code --install-extension github.copilot-chat
code --install-extension ms-vscode.vscode-icons
code --install-extension dracula-theme.theme-dracula
code --install-extension github.github-vscode-theme
code --install-extension ms-vscode.vscode-eslint
code --install-extension esbenp.prettier-vscode
code --install-extension ms-python.black-formatter

VS Code Settings for Windows

{
  // Editor Configuration
  "editor.fontSize": 14,
  "editor.fontFamily": "'Cascadia Code', 'JetBrains Mono', Consolas, monospace",
  "editor.fontLigatures": true,
  "editor.tabSize": 2,
  "editor.insertSpaces": true,
  "editor.detectIndentation": true,
  "editor.trimAutoWhitespace": true,
  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
  "editor.formatOnPaste": true,
  "editor.codeActionsOnSave": {
    "source.fixAll.eslint": "explicit",
    "source.organizeImports": "explicit"
  },
  "editor.minimap.enabled": true,
  "editor.renderWhitespace": "boundary",
  "editor.bracketPairColorization.enabled": true,
  "editor.guides.bracketPairs": true,

  // PowerShell Configuration
  "powershell.powerShellExePath": "C:\\Program Files\\PowerShell\\7\\pwsh.exe",
  "powershell.integratedConsole.showOnStartup": false,
  "powershell.enableProfileLoading": true,

  // Terminal Configuration
  "terminal.integrated.shell.windows": "C:\\Program Files\\PowerShell\\7\\pwsh.exe",
  "terminal.integrated.fontFamily": "'Cascadia Code', monospace",
  "terminal.integrated.fontSize": 12,

  // File Associations
  "files.associations": {
    "*.tf": "terraform",
    "*.tfvars": "terraform",
    "*.hcl": "hcl",
    "Dockerfile*": "dockerfile",
    "*.yml": "yaml",
    "*.yaml": "yaml",
    "*.ps1": "powershell",
    "*.psm1": "powershell"
  },

  // Exclude Files
  "files.exclude": {
    "**/.git": true,
    "**/.DS_Store": true,
    "**/node_modules": true,
    "**/.terraform": true,
    "**/*.tfstate*": true,
    "**/.aws": true,
    "**/bin": true,
    "**/obj": true
  },

  // Git Configuration
  "git.enableSmartCommit": true,
  "git.confirmSync": false,
  "git.autofetch": true,
  "gitlens.showWelcomeOnInstall": false,

  // Terraform Configuration
  "terraform.languageServer.enable": true,
  "terraform.languageServer.args": ["serve"],

  // Python Configuration
  "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "python",
  "python.linting.enabled": true,
  "python.linting.pylintEnabled": true,
  "python.formatting.provider": "black",

  // AWS Configuration
  "aws.profile": "dev",
  "aws.telemetry": false,

  // Theme and Appearance
  "workbench.iconTheme": "vscode-icons",
  "workbench.colorTheme": "GitHub Dark",
  "workbench.preferredDarkColorTheme": "GitHub Dark",

  // Window Configuration
  "window.zoomLevel": 0,
  "window.restoreWindows": "all",

  // PowerShell Specific
  "powershell.codeFormatting.preset": "OTBS",
  "powershell.integratedConsole.focusConsoleOnExecute": false
}

PowerShell Extension Configuration

{
  "powershell.powerShellExePath": "C:\\Program Files\\PowerShell\\7\\pwsh.exe",
  "powershell.integratedConsole.showOnStartup": false,
  "powershell.enableProfileLoading": true,
  "powershell.codeFormatting.preset": "OTBS",
  "powershell.integratedConsole.focusConsoleOnExecute": false,
  "powershell.startAsLoginShell": true
}

8. Windows-Specific Development Tools

Install Additional Tools

# Development tools
choco install nodejs-lts yarn
choco install python --version=3.11.0
choco install openjdk11
choco install dotnetcore-sdk
choco install docker-desktop

# Cloud tools
choco install azure-cli
choco install googlecloudsdk

# Database tools
choco install postgresql
choco install mysql
choco install mongodb

# Text editors and IDEs
choco install notepadplusplus
choco install jetbrainstoolbox

# Utilities
choco install 7zip
choco install everything
choco install powertoys
choco install autohotkey

Windows Subsystem for Linux (Optional)

# Enable WSL
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:Microsoft-Windows-Subsystem-Linux /all /norestart
dism.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:VirtualMachinePlatform /all /norestart

# Install WSL2
wsl --install -d Ubuntu

# Set WSL2 as default
wsl --set-default-version 2

# List available distributions
wsl --list --online

# Install additional distribution
wsl --install -d Ubuntu-20.04

9. Environment Validation Script

Create a PowerShell validation script:

# validate-windows-setup.ps1

Write-Host "🔍 Validating Windows Development Environment Setup" -ForegroundColor Cyan
Write-Host "==================================================" -ForegroundColor Cyan

# Check PowerShell version
Write-Host "PowerShell Version: $($PSVersionTable.PSVersion)" -ForegroundColor Yellow

# Check Git
try {
    $gitVersion = git --version
    Write-Host "✅ Git: $gitVersion" -ForegroundColor Green
} catch {
    Write-Host "❌ Git: Not installed" -ForegroundColor Red
}

# Check Terraform
try {
    $tfVersion = terraform version | Select-Object -First 1
    Write-Host "✅ Terraform: $tfVersion" -ForegroundColor Green
} catch {
    Write-Host "❌ Terraform: Not installed" -ForegroundColor Red
}

# Check AWS CLI
try {
    $awsVersion = aws --version
    Write-Host "✅ AWS CLI: $awsVersion" -ForegroundColor Green
} catch {
    Write-Host "❌ AWS CLI: Not installed" -ForegroundColor Red
}

# Check VS Code
try {
    $codeVersion = code --version | Select-Object -First 1
    Write-Host "✅ VS Code: $codeVersion" -ForegroundColor Green
} catch {
    Write-Host "❌ VS Code: Not installed" -ForegroundColor Red
}

# Check Chocolatey
try {
    $chocoVersion = choco --version
    Write-Host "✅ Chocolatey: v$chocoVersion" -ForegroundColor Green
} catch {
    Write-Host "❌ Chocolatey: Not installed" -ForegroundColor Red
}

# Check winget
try {
    $wingetVersion = winget --version
    Write-Host "✅ Winget: $wingetVersion" -ForegroundColor Green
} catch {
    Write-Host "❌ Winget: Not available" -ForegroundColor Red
}

# Check SSH keys
$sshKeyPath = "$env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\id_ed25519.pub"
if (Test-Path $sshKeyPath) {
    Write-Host "✅ SSH Key: Present" -ForegroundColor Green
} else {
    Write-Host "❌ SSH Key: Missing" -ForegroundColor Red
}

# Check PowerShell modules
$modules = @('posh-git', 'PSReadLine', 'Terminal-Icons', 'AWSPowerShell.NetCore')
foreach ($module in $modules) {
    if (Get-Module -ListAvailable -Name $module) {
        Write-Host "✅ Module $module`: Installed" -ForegroundColor Green
    } else {
        Write-Host "❌ Module $module`: Not installed" -ForegroundColor Red
    }
}

Write-Host ""
Write-Host "🎉 Setup validation complete!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "💡 Run 'choco upgrade all' regularly to keep packages updated" -ForegroundColor Yellow

10. Backup and Recovery

Backup Your Configuration

# Create backup directory
$backupDir = "$env:USERPROFILE\dev-setup-backup"
New-Item -ItemType Directory -Path $backupDir -Force

# Backup PowerShell profile
Copy-Item $PROFILE "$backupDir\powershell-profile.ps1"

# Backup Windows Terminal settings
Copy-Item "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\settings.json" "$backupDir\windows-terminal-settings.json"

# Backup SSH keys
Copy-Item "$env:USERPROFILE\.ssh" "$backupDir\ssh-keys" -Recurse

# Backup VS Code settings
Copy-Item "$env:APPDATA\Code\User\settings.json" "$backupDir\vscode-settings.json"
Copy-Item "$env:APPDATA\Code\User\keybindings.json" "$backupDir\vscode-keybindings.json"

# Backup AWS configuration
Copy-Item "$env:USERPROFILE\.aws" "$backupDir\aws-config" -Recurse

# Backup Terraform configuration
Copy-Item "$env:USERPROFILE\.terraform.d" "$backupDir\terraform-config" -Recurse

Write-Host "✅ Backup completed to $backupDir" -ForegroundColor Green

Quick Restore Script

# restore-windows-setup.ps1

$backupDir = "$env:USERPROFILE\dev-setup-backup"

Write-Host "🔄 Restoring Windows Development Environment" -ForegroundColor Cyan

# Restore PowerShell profile
Copy-Item "$backupDir\powershell-profile.ps1" $PROFILE

# Restore Windows Terminal settings
Copy-Item "$backupDir\windows-terminal-settings.json" "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\settings.json"

# Restore SSH keys
Copy-Item "$backupDir\ssh-keys\*" "$env:USERPROFILE\.ssh\" -Recurse

# Restore VS Code settings
Copy-Item "$backupDir\vscode-settings.json" "$env:APPDATA\Code\User\settings.json"
Copy-Item "$backupDir\vscode-keybindings.json" "$env:APPDATA\Code\User\keybindings.json"

# Restore AWS config
Copy-Item "$backupDir\aws-config\*" "$env:USERPROFILE\.aws\" -Recurse

# Restore Terraform config
Copy-Item "$backupDir\terraform-config\*" "$env:USERPROFILE\.terraform.d\" -Recurse

Write-Host "✅ Restore complete! Restart PowerShell and VS Code." -ForegroundColor Green

11. Windows-Specific Tips and Tricks

Windows Key Shortcuts

  • Win + X: Quick access menu
  • Win + Shift + S: Screenshot tool
  • Win + V: Clipboard history
  • Win + .: Emoji picker
  • Win + ,: Peek at desktop

PowerShell Tips

# Quick edit mode toggle
Set-PSReadLineOption -EditMode Emacs  # or Windows

# Fuzzy finding with PSFzf
# Install: Install-Module PSFzf
# Use: Ctrl+R for history, Ctrl+T for files

# Profile editing
code $PROFILE  # Edit in VS Code
. $PROFILE     # Reload profile

Performance Optimization

# Disable Windows search indexing on dev folders
Set-WindowsSearchSetting -EnableIndexing $false -Paths "$env:USERPROFILE\dev"

# Exclude folders from Windows Defender
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "$env:USERPROFILE\dev"
Add-MpPreference -ExclusionPath "$env:USERPROFILE\.terraform"

Windows Services Management

# Useful services for development
Start-Service -Name ssh-agent  # For SSH keys
Start-Service -Name docker     # If using Docker Desktop

# Check service status
Get-Service -Name ssh-agent, docker

Conclusion

You’ve now set up a complete Windows development environment optimized for DevOps and cloud development work. Your Windows machine is configured with:

  • ✅ PowerShell with custom profile and modules
  • ✅ Windows Terminal with multiple shells
  • ✅ Git with SSH authentication
  • ✅ Terraform for infrastructure as code
  • ✅ AWS CLI and PowerShell tools
  • ✅ VS Code with DevOps extensions
  • ✅ Windows package management with Chocolatey and winget

This Windows-native setup provides excellent performance and integration with Windows-specific tools and workflows while maintaining full compatibility with cloud and DevOps tooling.

Remember to regularly update your tools using choco upgrade all and winget upgrade --all, and backup your configurations regularly.

Happy Windows development! 🎉

Written on October 9, 2025