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Set up Git on Windows with TortoiseGit
Set up Git on Windows with TortoiseGit
Toshi Dávila avatar
Written by Toshi Dávila
Updated today

Setting up Git can be intimidating, especially for those who are trying the version control system for the first time, or moving from Subversion. However, now it's super easy to use Git on Windows either through Git Bash, if you're a fan of the command line, or through programs like TortoiseGit, if you prefer a graphical interface. Below, we'll show you how to set up everything and connect with Assembla.

Downloading and installing Git for Windows

To get things started, you'll need to download and install Git for Windows. After downloading, run the installer as shown in the following images.

Downloading and installing TortoiseGit

Note: This step is optional. If you are comfortable using the command line for interacting with Git, you do not need to install TortoiseGit.
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If you prefer a graphical interface, let's now download and install TortoiseGit. Be sure to configure TortoiseGit after installation.


Now you must configure TortoiseGit before you attempt to use it.

To configure TortoiseGit

  1. On your Desktop, right click anywhere, and then select TortoiseGit > Settings.
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  2. Click the Git menu item on the left.
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  3. Complete your Name and Email, making sure to use the same email address that you used to sign up for Assembla.

  4. Click OK.

Great, now TortoiseGit is all set!

Generating SSH keys

There are two ways to generate SSH keys:

  1. If you installed TortoiseGit, use the method shown below.

  2. If you installed Git on Windows only, and are not using TortoiseGit, jump to Git Bash SSH Keys.

​Generating TortoiseGit SSH keys

SSH creates a secure connection from your computer to Assembla, making sure that only authorized persons can commit to your repository. Assembla needs to know your public SSH key to make the secure connection, so use PuTTYgen to generate an SSH key pair.

To use PuTTYgen to generate an SSH key pair

  1. From your Desktop, open TortoiseGit > PuTTYgen.
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  2. In PuTTYgen, click Generate. Move your mouse around the window below the progress bar to generate randomness for increased security.
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  3. Once the key is generated, be sure to copy it onto your clipboard as you'll use this key in the next section to authenticate with Assembla.
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  4. Optional. Using the Key passphrase and Confirm passphrase fields helps secure your key.
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  5. Finally, click Save private key to save your private key somewhere you'll remember.
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Generating Git Bash SSH keys

Note: If you did not install TortoiseGit, you're in the right place! If you did install TortoiseGit, follow the steps in the previous section and skip this section.

To generate a Git Bash SSH key

  1. From your Desktop, open Git > Git Bash.
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  2. On the command prompt, type in the following command substituting with the email you used to sign up for Assembla:
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    ssh-keygen -t rsa -C "me@email.com"
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  3. When it asks you for the file, press Enter.

  4. Note that you should definitely enter a passphrase. When you type, nothing appears, which is normal.

  5. Use Notepad to open up the .ssh/id_rsa.pub file you just generated and copy the contents of that file.

Linking your SSH key with Assembla

To link your SSH key with Assembla

  1. Open your Assembla profile, which is where you'll paste the public key you just copied from the previous step.

  2. Paste the key you copied from the previous steps into the available field, as shown in the following image:
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  3. Click Add Key. The key then appears above that box similar to the following image:

You now are done!


Have questions? Email us support@assembla.com

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