Cygwin 64-bit
Cygwin provides a Unix-like command-line environment for Windows, aimed ... on shell tools or scripts. Its compatibility layer, cygwin1.dll, implements substantial Linux and POSIX API functionality, while ...

Cygwin brings a Unix-like command-line environment to Windows through a compatibility layer and a collection of ported open-source tools. Its setup program lets users select packages such as shells, compilers, version-control utilities and network tools. It supports Unix-style scripts and workflows alongside Windows applications, without requiring a virtual machine or dual-boot setup.
| Author: | Red Hat Inc |
| License: | Open Source |
| Price: | FREE |
| Released: | Oct 29, 2026 |
| File size: | 1.50 MB |
| Downloads: | 579 |
| Keywords: | linux on windows, emulate, unix development tools, unix shell for windows, Linux-like environment, bash shell windows, cygwin download, emulation layer, Unix-like environment, open-source development, posix tools for windows, Red Hat, Cygwin, emulation, linux, Windows 10 compatibility, x64 software, windows command line utilities |
| Author URL: | https://www.cygwin.com/ |
Cygwin provides a Unix-like command-line environment for Windows users who need familiar shell tools and development utilities without replacing Windows or setting up a dual-boot system. It combines a compatibility layer with a collection of software ported to run on Windows, making it useful to developers, system administrators and users who work with Unix-style scripts or workflows.
The Cygwin setup program lets users choose packages from a repository and install them into a local environment. The available tools cover tasks such as compiling software, editing text, managing source code and using network utilities. Users can return to setup to add packages or update their installation, so they can start with a small set of tools and expand it as their needs change.
Cygwin includes a terminal and shells for running commands and scripts. Its POSIX compatibility layer provides Unix-style interfaces that help many programs and scripts designed for Unix environments work on Windows with little or no adjustment. This can be useful for automating repetitive tasks, building software, and running command-line utilities alongside ordinary Windows applications. Cygwin programs are built for the Cygwin environment; it is not a virtual machine and does not directly run Linux binaries as though Windows were Linux.
The environment also supports common developer and administration workflows, including working with version-control tools, connecting to remote systems with SSH utilities, and combining command-line programs in scripts. Windows files remain accessible from the Cygwin environment, allowing users to process or manage files without moving their work into a separate operating system. Its broad package selection means the particular tools available depend on what the user installs.
Cygwin is open-source software available at no cost. It is designed for Windows, including Windows 10 and Windows 11, and is offered for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows installations. Setup requires an internet connection to retrieve selected packages; the space required on disk varies according to the tools chosen. Cygwin is most appropriate for users comfortable with command-line work or those who need specific Unix-style utilities on a Windows computer.