Run c++ on windows using MinGW

2 min readNov 22, 2023

To run a C++ program on Windows, you’ll need a C++ compiler. One commonly used compiler for Windows is MinGW (Minimalist GNU for Windows), which includes the GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) toolchain. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you run a simple C++ program on Windows using MinGW:

Step 1: Install MinGW

Download MinGW:

Visit the MinGW website: MinGW — Minimalist GNU for Windows.
Look for the “Downloads” section and download the installer appropriate for your system (32-bit or 64-bit).

Run the Installer:

Execute the installer and follow the installation instructions.
During installation, you’ll be prompted to select components. Make sure to include the C++ compiler (usually named mingw32-gcc-g++).

Add MinGW to System Path (Optional but recommended):

After installation, add the MinGW bin directory to your system's PATH environment variable. This step allows you to run the compiler from any command prompt.
For example, if MinGW is installed in C:\MinGW, add C:\MinGW\bin to your PATH.

Save the file with a .cpp extension, such as hello.cpp.

Step 2: Write a Simple C++ Program

Create a simple C++ program using a text editor. For example, open Notepad and enter the following code:

#include <iostream>

int main() {
    std::cout << "Hello, World!" << std::endl;
    return 0;
}

Step 3: Open Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell on your Windows system.

Step 4: Navigate to the Directory

Navigate to the directory where you saved your C++ file using the cd command. For example:

cd path\to\your\directory

Step 5: Compile and Run the Program

Compile the C++ program using the following command:

g++ hello.cpp -o hello.exe

This command uses the g++ compiler to compile your hello.cpp file into an executable named hello.exe.

Run the compiled program:

hello.exe

You should see the output “Hello, World!” printed on the screen.

That’s it! You’ve successfully compiled and run a simple C++ program on Windows using MinGW. Remember to adapt file paths and names as needed based on your specific setup.