Easy Cygwin installation guide!

Why Cygwin

Cygwin is a Unix console container for windows. If you are used to work with Git-Bash (MinGW), it is way more powerful! The combination on Cygwin and ConEmu will provide you with a fast, easy tool to work, plus it support, screen splitting, tabs, keyboard shortcuts, and it can be personalized to fit your needs.

How to install Cygwin?

first, head over to http://cygwin.com/install.html and download the latest version of cygwin.

run it, and when you see this screen:

make sure to install svn ! you will need it later to install apt-cyg

beside that, add packages you need, like git, python, wget, kdiff etc.

Install apt-cyg

apt-cyg is a command line tool to install new software. much like apt-get, brew, mac-ports or yum. got to https://github.com/transcode-open/apt-cyg/ and follow the instructions.

to use it, open cygwin and type apt-cyg install [your package name]

Install con-emu

ConEmu is a console container for the Cygwin, it enables you to have tabs, shortcuts and what not! download and install it from here https://conemu.github.io/

Connecting ConEmu to Cygwin

to connect ConEmu to you Cygwin, go to settings (win+alt+p) > Startup > Tasks > and hit the + sign. name the task Cygwin and the in the commands box type C:\cygwin\Cygwin.bat.

now, choose startup in the left menu, choose specified named task and choose cygwin.

done!

Assigning a keyboard shortcut

I suggest assigning a keyboard shortcut to the console, it can be done in Keys & Macro and my suggestion is to assign Ctrl+Shift+~ to Minimize/Restore.

Personalize your console

Here are some usefull links:

• http://whiletruecode.com/post/get-a-transparent-quake-style-windows-console-with-conemu
• http://www.howtogeek.com/130056/the-command-prompt-is-outdated-2-command-prompt-replacements-for-windows/