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Windows 11 includes Microsoft’s curl.exe, but it is a separate build from the curl project’s Windows packages. To update curl, check which executable your terminal runs, then use WinGet if it manages that installation or install the official curl ZIP archive yourself.

In PowerShell, use curl.exe rather than curl: the latter may resolve to the Invoke-WebRequest alias instead of the native curl program.

Check which curl Windows 11 is using

Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run:

curl.exe –version
where.exe curl
Get-Command curl -All

curl.exe –version displays version and build details. where.exe curl lists matching executables found through PATH. Get-Command curl -All also shows PowerShell aliases, functions, and applications that can resolve from the command line.

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If you see more than one path, the first matching executable may be the one that runs. Installing a newer copy does not change which copy is selected if an older directory appears earlier in PATH. Microsoft’s bundled build and the curl project’s build are separate installations, as explained on curl’s Microsoft Windows page.

Method 1: Update curl with WinGet

Use WinGet when your curl installation is registered as the cURL.cURL package.

1. Confirm that WinGet is available

Run:

winget –version

If PowerShell reports that winget is not recognized, see What to do when WinGet is missing below.

2. Check the curl package

Run:

winget list –id cURL.cURL –exact

This checks the exact WinGet package and shows its installed version and any available update. The WinGet package repository currently contains versions through 8.21.0.6, according to the cURL.cURL package manifests.

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3. Upgrade only curl

Run:

winget upgrade –id cURL.cURL –exact

Approve any prompt that appears. WinGet may request elevation; declining required permission can cause the installation to fail. This command targets the package identified as cURL.cURL. WinGet also accepts update as an alias for upgrade, but upgrade makes the operation clear.

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Check for other available updates

To see packages WinGet can match to available updates, run:

winget list –upgrade-available

WinGet can list applications installed by other methods, but an application appears as upgradeable only when WinGet can match it to a package. This command does not guarantee that every curl copy on the computer will be found, as described in Microsoft’s WinGet list documentation.

Method 2: Install the official curl Windows build manually

Use this method if WinGet cannot find your copy, you want the curl project’s current build, or you need to select an x64 or ARM64 package.

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Download an archive from the official curl for Windows page. The page lists curl 8.21.0, build 8.21.0_6, dated June 24, 2026. These version details and the package formats are from the curl project’s page, which provides ZIP archives rather than MSI installers.

Windows 11 device Package
Standard Intel or AMD 64-bit PC curl for x64
Windows 11 on an ARM processor curl for ARM64

Extract the ZIP archive to a permanent folder, such as C:\Tools\curl. The extracted build is separate; it does not replace Windows’ system copy.

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Add the extracted curl folder to PATH

  1. Extract the ZIP archive and locate the folder containing curl.exe.
  2. Copy that folder’s full path, for example C:\Tools\curl\bin.
  3. Open Start and search for environment variables.
  4. Select Edit the system environment variables.
  5. In System Properties, select Environment Variables.
  6. Under either User variables or System variables, select Path, then select Edit.
  7. Select New, enter the curl folder path, and move it above older curl directories if necessary.
  8. Select OK in each dialog.

Close existing PowerShell or Windows Terminal windows and open a new one. Existing terminals normally retain the PATH value they started with.

Verify the manually installed version

Run:

curl.exe –version
where.exe curl

The first path returned by where.exe curl should be the directory containing your new executable. To test it without changing PATH, run the executable by its full path, for example:

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C:\Tools\curl\bin\curl.exe –version

Verify the download checksum

To validate the archive before extracting it, calculate its SHA-256 hash in PowerShell:

Get-FileHash .\curl-package.zip -Algorithm SHA256

Compare the result with the corresponding value on curl’s download page. The page currently lists these hashes:

Package SHA-256
x64 0c119d394bab91ecd97b64791f24bddc247d08840431e0045bcb92bba3275665
ARM64 d7f0466177308bbc9aa6dbaee1081099fb05770d1824036d8f5c8bfd76ba36ef

What to do when WinGet is missing

WinGet is delivered through Microsoft’s App Installer package. It may be missing, unregistered, or not immediately available after your first Windows sign-in. Microsoft documents these installation and registration options in its WinGet documentation.

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Install or update App Installer from Microsoft Store

  1. Open Start, type store, and press Enter.
  2. Search the Microsoft Store for winget.
  3. Select App Installer.
  4. Select Get or Update, as available.

The App Installer Store listing has product ID 9nblggh4nns1, according to the Microsoft Store listing. Open a new terminal after installation and test:

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winget –version

Register App Installer again

If App Installer is present but WinGet is unavailable, run this PowerShell command:

Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe

Restart the terminal and run winget –version again. Registration may be delayed after the first Windows sign-in because Microsoft Store registration is asynchronous.

Install the latest WinGet release manually

If App Installer still does not provide WinGet, open the WinGet CLI Releases page. Select the latest release, scroll to Assets, download the .msixbundle, run it, and select Update when prompted. Microsoft also describes this option in its App Installer troubleshooting guidance.

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Troubleshoot common curl update problems

Problem Likely cause Fix
winget is not recognized App Installer is missing or not registered, or the WinGet client is not on PATH. Install or update App Installer, run the registration command, and open a new terminal.
WinGet shows no curl update You are using Windows’ bundled curl or a manually installed copy that WinGet cannot match. Use the official ZIP installation and put its directory first in PATH.
PowerShell runs a web request instead of curl curl resolves to the Invoke-WebRequest alias. Run curl.exe explicitly.
The old version still runs Another curl.exe directory occurs earlier in PATH. Run where.exe curl, adjust PATH order, or call the intended executable by its full path.
WinGet reports multiple matches The package selection is ambiguous. Use winget upgrade –id cURL.cURL –exact.
The downloaded build is unsuitable The wrong architecture was selected. Use x64 for standard Intel/AMD systems and ARM64 for Windows on ARM.

Does Windows Update update curl?

Do not assume Windows updates upgrade curl to the latest curl-project release. Microsoft’s bundled curl is a separate build, and the curl project publishes its own Windows binaries. Updating Windows and updating the official curl package are different operations, as explained on curl’s Microsoft Windows page.

Installing the official ZIP archive also does not replace Microsoft’s copy in the Windows system directory. It adds another executable, and PATH order determines which one runs when you enter curl.exe.

FAQ

Does Windows 11 already have curl?

Yes. Windows 11 includes Microsoft’s curl.exe by default. It is a separate build from the official curl-for-Windows packages and may have different TLS or feature settings.

What is the safest command to use in PowerShell?

Use curl.exe. Typing only curl may invoke PowerShell’s Invoke-WebRequest alias instead of the native curl executable.

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Why does WinGet not show curl as upgradeable?

WinGet may not be able to match the executable currently running. This can happen with Windows’ bundled copy or a manually extracted copy. Check where.exe curl and use the official ZIP package if needed.

Will installing the official curl ZIP replace Windows’ built-in curl?

No. It installs a separate copy. Add its directory to PATH and place it before older curl directories if you want it to be the default executable.

How do I identify my Windows architecture?

Open Settings > System > About and check System type. Use the x64 package for standard Intel or AMD 64-bit Windows and the ARM64 package for Windows on ARM.

The Bottom Line

Start with curl.exe –version and where.exe curl. If WinGet manages the installation, run winget upgrade –id cURL.cURL –exact. Otherwise, download the appropriate x64 or ARM64 ZIP from the official curl Windows page, extract it, add its folder to PATH, restart the terminal, and verify which executable is running.

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