---
title: Setting up GitHub Desktop
shortTitle: Setup
intro: 'You can set up {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} to suit your needs and contribute to projects.'
redirect_from:
  - /desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/setting-up-github-desktop
versions:
  free-pro-team: '*'
---

### Part 1: Installing {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}

You can install {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} on any supported operating system. For more information, see "[Supported Operating Systems](/desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/supported-operating-systems)."

To install {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}, navigate to [https://desktop.github.com/](https://desktop.github.com/) and download the appropriate version of {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} for your operating system. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. For more information, see "[Installing {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}](/desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/installing-github-desktop)."

### Part 2: Configuring your account

If you have an account on {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_dotcom }} or {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_enterprise }}, you can use {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} to exchange data between your local and remote repositories.

#### Creating an account
If you do not already have an account on {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_dotcom }}, see "[Signing up for a new {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_dotcom }} account](/articles/signing-up-for-a-new-github-account/)."

If you are part of an organization that uses {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_enterprise }} and you do not have an account, contact your {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_enterprise }} site administrator.

#### Authenticating to {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_dotcom }}
To connect to {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} with {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_dotcom }}, you'll need to authenticate your account. For more information, see "[Authenticating to {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}](/desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/authenticating-to-github)."

After authenticating your account, you are ready to manage and contribute to projects with {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}.

### Part 3: Configuring Git
You must have Git installed before using {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}. If you do not already have Git installed, you can download and install the latest version of Git from [https://git-scm.com/downloads](https://git-scm.com/downloads).

After you have Git installed, you'll need to configure Git for {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}. For more information, see "[Configuring Git for {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}](/desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/configuring-git-for-github-desktop)."

### Part 4: Customizing {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}
You can adjust defaults and settings to tailor {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} to your needs.

#### Choosing a default text editor
You can open a text editor from {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} to manipulate files and repositories. {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} supports a variety of text editors and integrated development environments (IDEs) for Windows and macOS. You can choose a default editor in the {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} settings. For more information, see "[Configuring a default editor](/desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/configuring-a-default-editor)."

#### Choosing a theme
{{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} has multiple themes available to customize the look and feel of the app. You can choose a theme in the {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }} settings. For more information, see "[Setting a theme for {{ site.data.variables.product.prodname_desktop }}](/desktop/getting-started-with-github-desktop/setting-a-theme-for-github-desktop)."