Install wget on Windows

Step 1: Download GNU Wget

Search for GNU Wget for Windows and open a trusted binaries page, then download the 64-bit zip.

Step 2: Choose the latest version

Pick the most recent build for your system type (32-bit or 64-bit).

Step 3: Put wget on the Path

Extract the zip. Copy wget.exe to C:\Windows\System32. That folder is already on the Path, so the command works from anywhere. You need admin rights for this.

Another way is to keep it in its own folder, like C:\wget, and add that folder to the Path variable.

Step 4: Check it

Open a new Command Prompt:

wget -V

Features of wget

1. Resume broken downloads.
2. HTTP cookies support.
3. Proxy servers support.
4. Authentication support.
5. Command-line use, good for scripts.
6. Recursive downloads of whole sites.

Common problems

1. "wget is not recognized". The file is not in a Path folder. Move it, or add its folder to the Path, then open a new window.
2. Files do not download. Check the URL, your internet connection and any proxy.

Common options

• -a file appends messages to a log file.
• -b runs in the background.
• -c continues a partial download.
• -O name saves with a different name.
• -P folder saves into a folder.
• -r downloads recursively.

Example:

wget -c https://example.com/file.zip

Quick recap

• Put wget.exe in a Path folder and run wget -V.