How to install Ollama on Windows
Quick answer
To install
Ollama on Windows, download the official Windows installer from the Ollama website and run it. After installation, verify by running ollama --version in PowerShell or Command Prompt.PREREQUISITES
Windows 10 or laterPowerShell or Command Prompt accessInternet connection for downloading installer
Setup
Download the official Ollama Windows installer from https://ollama.com/download. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. No additional environment variables are required for basic usage.
powershell
# Example: Download installer manually from the website
# Then run the installer executable
Start-Process -FilePath "C:\Path\To\OllamaInstaller.exe" -WaitStep by step
After installation, open PowerShell or Command Prompt and verify the installation by running:
powershell
ollama --version output
Ollama version 1.0.0
Common variations
You can run Ollama commands directly from PowerShell or integrate with Python by calling subprocess to invoke ollama CLI commands. Ollama currently does not provide a native Python SDK, so CLI usage is standard.
python
import subprocess
result = subprocess.run(['ollama', 'run', 'llama2'], capture_output=True, text=True)
print(result.stdout) output
Running LLaMA 2 model... Model output here...
Troubleshooting
- If
ollamais not recognized, ensure the installation path is added to your systemPATHenvironment variable. - Run PowerShell or Command Prompt as Administrator if you encounter permission errors.
- Check your internet connection if model downloads fail.
Key Takeaways
- Download the official Ollama Windows installer from the Ollama website.
- Verify installation by running 'ollama --version' in PowerShell or Command Prompt.
- Use the Ollama CLI directly or via subprocess calls in Python for integration.
- Add Ollama to your system PATH if commands are not recognized.
- Run terminals as Administrator to avoid permission issues during installation.