Run cURL Commands from Windows Console

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Summary: This guide explains how to run cURL commands from the Windows console, guiding users through the steps of installation and basic usage.
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Run cURL Commands from Windows Console

cURL is an indispensable command-line tool used to transfer data to and from servers. Although it is popular among Linux and macOS users, Windows users can also enjoy its functionality directly from the console. This post will cover how to install and utilize cURL on a Windows system.

Installing cURL on Windows

Starting with Windows 10 version 1803, cURL comes pre-installed as part of the operating system. However, users of older versions or those needing the latest version can follow these steps:

Download cURL: Visit the official cURL website and download the latest binary.

Extract the Files: Unzip the downloaded file to a directory, e.g., C:\curl.

Configure Environment Path: Add the cURL directory to your system’s PATH environment variable:

Open the Start menu, search for "Environment Variables."

Select "Edit the system environment variables."

Click "Environment Variables..."

Find the "Path" variable in the System variables section and click "Edit..."

Add the path to the cURL directory (e.g., C:\curl\bin).

After installation, verify that cURL is correctly set up by opening a Command Prompt window and typing:

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If cURL is installed properly, this command will output the version information.

Basic cURL Usage

cURL excels at performing simple HTTP requests. Let's explore some fundamental cURL commands you can run from the Windows console:

Make a GET Request

To fetch a web page's content, use the following command:

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This command retrieves the content of the specified URL and prints it to the console.

Save Output to File

To save the content to a file, use the -o flag:

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Send a POST Request

To send data via POST, you can use the -d flag:

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This command sends the provided parameters to the specified URL using a POST request.

Customize Headers

To add custom headers to your request, use the -H flag:

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This command includes the custom header X-Custom-Header with the specified value in the request.

Basic Authentication

To perform basic authentication, include the -u flag followed by the credentials:

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This command sends the specified username and password for authentication to the URL.

Conclusion

Running cURL commands from the Windows console can significantly enhance your ability to interact with web services, automate tasks, and diagnose network issues. Whether you are making simple GET requests, sending complex POST requests, or managing headers and authentication, cURL provides a powerful command-line interface for these tasks. Happy cURLing!