To install **Kubo** (the official IPFS implementation) on **Windows**, follow these steps and note the dependencies needed:
### Step 1: Install Dependencies
1. **Golang (Go)**: Kubo is written in Go, so it's helpful to have Go installed, though it’s not mandatory for using pre-built binaries. You can download and install Go from [the official Golang site](https://golang.org/dl/).
2. **Git (Optional)**: While not required for using Kubo binaries, Git is often useful for managing IPFS code and repositories. Download Git for Windows from [Git’s website](https://git-scm.com/download/win).
### Step 2: Download Kubo
1. Visit the [Kubo Releases page on GitHub](https://github.com/ipfs/kubo/releases).
2. Find the latest version and download the **Windows binary** (usually named `kubo_vX.X.X_windows-amd64.zip` for 64-bit systems).
3. Extract the downloaded `.zip` file to a convenient directory.
### Step 3: Add Kubo to System PATH
1. Go to the folder where you extracted Kubo and locate the `ipfs.exe` file.
2. Copy the folder path.
3. Open **System Properties** (right-click on “This PC” > Properties > Advanced System Settings).
4. Under the **Advanced** tab, click **Environment Variables**.
5. In the **System Variables** section, find and edit the **Path** variable.
6. Add the path to the folder containing `ipfs.exe`.
7. Click OK to save changes.
### Step 4: Initialize IPFS
1. Open **Command Prompt** or **PowerShell**.
2. Run the following command to initialize IPFS:
```bash
ipfs init
```
This creates an IPFS configuration file in your user directory (typically `~/.ipfs`).
### Step 5: Start the IPFS Daemon
1. In Command Prompt or PowerShell, start the IPFS node with:
```bash
ipfs daemon
```
This launches the IPFS node, allowing you to interact with the IPFS network.
### Step 6: Verify Installation
1. To confirm IPFS is working, you can run a test command like:
```bash
ipfs id
```
This should display information about your IPFS node, such as the node ID and addresses.
### Optional Tools and Utilities
- **IPFS Desktop**: A graphical interface for managing IPFS. Download it from the [IPFS Desktop GitHub](https://github.com/ipfs/ipfs-desktop) if you prefer a GUI.
Following these steps will set up Kubo on Windows, allowing you to participate in the IPFS network directly from your system.
