Microsoft releases script to rapidly configure Windows 11 development environments

Microsoft has released Windows Developer Config, an open-source script intended to streamline the setup of a Windows 11 development environment. The tool automates the installation of more than 15 essential software packages and configures system settings through a single PowerShell command.

The process involves approximately 50 steps and takes around 30 minutes to complete, requiring a minimum of 15GB of free disk space. Key software installed includes Visual Studio Code, Git, Python, Node.js LTS, and Windows Terminal. The script also enables system features like Developer Mode, long path support, and remote desktop capabilities.

Designed for reusability, the script checks the current state of the system at each stage, installing only necessary components or updates. This approach aims to reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and ensure a consistent setup for developers, whether they are configuring a new machine or updating an existing one.

By making Windows Developer Config publicly available on GitHub, Microsoft aims to accelerate the onboarding process for developers. The open-source nature of the project also allows for community contributions and ongoing improvements to the configuration tool.