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How to Install OpenClaw on Windows 11/10 (2026 Guide)

Step-by-step guide to install OpenClaw on Windows 10/11. No coding experience required. Complete beginner tutorial with WSL2 setup included.

12 min read
Updated 2026-02-02

What You Will Achieve

By following this guide, you will install OpenClaw on your Windows computer. OpenClaw lets you chat with AI through apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Discord. The whole process takes about 20-30 minutes, and you do not need any programming experience.

What is OpenClaw?

OpenClaw is like a bridge between your chat apps and AI. Once installed, you can send a message on WhatsApp or Telegram, and an AI will reply to you. Everything runs on your own computer, so your conversations stay private.

Before You Start: A Quick Explanation

This guide uses something called WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux). Here is what that means in simple terms:

  • WSL2 lets you run Linux (another operating system) inside Windows
  • Why do we need it? OpenClaw works much better on Linux than on Windows directly
  • Is it safe? Yes, it is an official Microsoft feature built into Windows

Important

You cannot skip the WSL2 step. OpenClaw has known problems when running directly on Windows, especially with WhatsApp and Telegram connections.

Check If Your Computer Is Ready

Before we begin, let us make sure your computer meets the requirements:

Check your Windows version:

  1. Press the Windows key and R key at the same time (this opens a small "Run" window)
  2. Type winver (exactly as shown, no spaces)
  3. Press Enter or click OK
  4. A window will appear showing your Windows version

Expected Result

You should see "Windows 10 Version 2004" or higher, or "Windows 11"

Version Too Old?

If your version number is lower than 2004, you need to update Windows first. Go to Settings, then Windows Update, and install all available updates.

What else you need:

  • You must be able to install programs on your computer (administrator access)
  • At least 4GB of free space on your hard drive
  • A working internet connection

Step-by-Step Installation

1

Open PowerShell as Administrator

PowerShell is a program that lets you type commands to control your computer. We need to open it with special permissions (as "Administrator") to install WSL2.

How to do it:

  1. Click the Start button (Windows icon in the bottom-left corner)
  2. Type PowerShell (you will see it appear in the search results)
  3. Look for "Windows PowerShell" in the results
  4. Right-click on it (not left-click!)
  5. Click "Run as administrator"
  6. A window will pop up asking "Do you want to allow this app to make changes?" - Click "Yes"

Expected Result

A dark blue or black window will open. The title bar should say "Administrator: Windows PowerShell"

How Do I Know It Worked?

Look at the top of the window. If you see the word "Administrator" in the title, you did it correctly. If you do not see "Administrator", close the window and try again, making sure to right-click and select "Run as administrator".

2

Install WSL2

Now we will install WSL2. This is the part that lets Linux run inside Windows.

In the PowerShell window, type this command exactly as shown:

powershell
wsl --install

How to run the command:

  1. Click inside the PowerShell window
  2. Type wsl --install (there is a space before the two dashes)
  3. Press the Enter key

The installation will begin. This downloads about 1-2 GB of files, so it may take 5-15 minutes depending on your internet speed.

Expected Result

Installing: Virtual Machine Platform Installing: Windows Subsystem for Linux Installing: Ubuntu The requested operation is successful.

You Must Restart Your Computer

After the installation finishes, you MUST restart your computer. Save any work you have open (documents, browser tabs, etc.) and restart. Do not skip this step!

How to restart:

  1. Click the Start button
  2. Click the Power icon
  3. Click "Restart"
3

Set Up Ubuntu (Linux)

After your computer restarts, a new window called "Ubuntu" should open automatically. Ubuntu is a version of Linux, and this is where we will install OpenClaw.

If the Ubuntu window does not open automatically:

  1. Click the Start button
  2. Type Ubuntu
  3. Click on the Ubuntu app in the search results

Creating your Linux username and password:

The Ubuntu window will ask you to create a username and password. This is separate from your Windows password.

  1. Enter a username: Type a simple name using only lowercase letters (for example: john or myname). Press Enter.

  2. Enter a password: Type a password. Important: You will NOT see any characters as you type - this is normal and a security feature. Just type your password and press Enter.

  3. Retype the password: Type the same password again and press Enter.

Expected Result

Enter new UNIX username: john New password: Retype new password: passwd: password updated successfully Installation successful! john@YOURCOMPUTER:~$

Write Down Your Password!

You will need this password later in the installation. Write it down somewhere safe. This password is different from your Windows password.

What is That Green Text?

After setup, you will see something like john@YOURCOMPUTER:~$. This is called a "command prompt" or "terminal prompt". It means Ubuntu is ready and waiting for you to type commands. The $ symbol indicates where you type.

4

Update Ubuntu

Before installing OpenClaw, we need to update Ubuntu to get the latest software. Think of this like running Windows Update, but for Linux.

Type this command and press Enter:

bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

What Does This Command Mean?

  • sudo = "super user do" - this runs the command with administrator permissions
  • apt update = check for available updates
  • && = "and then"
  • apt upgrade -y = install the updates (the -y means "yes, install everything automatically")

When prompted for your password: Type the password you created in Step 3 and press Enter. Remember, you will not see any characters as you type.

This may take 2-5 minutes. You will see a lot of text scrolling by - this is normal.

Expected Result

Reading package lists... Done Building dependency tree... Done ... 0 upgraded, 0 newly installed, 0 to remove and 0 not upgraded.

5

Install Node.js

OpenClaw needs a program called Node.js to run. Node.js version 22 or higher is required.

What is Node.js?

Node.js is a tool that lets programs written in JavaScript run on your computer. OpenClaw is built using JavaScript, so we need Node.js to run it. You do not need to learn JavaScript - we just need to install Node.js.

First, add the Node.js download source. Type this command and press Enter:

bash
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_22.x | sudo -E bash -

When asked for your password, type it and press Enter.

Wait for this to complete (about 30 seconds).

Now install Node.js. Type this command and press Enter:

bash
sudo apt install -y nodejs

Wait for the installation to complete (about 1-2 minutes).

Verify that Node.js installed correctly:

bash
node --version

Expected Result

v22.x.x

The number should start with v22 (like v22.1.0 or v22.5.1). The exact numbers after v22. do not matter.

Got a Different Number?

If you see a number lower than 22 (like v18.x.x or v20.x.x), the installation did not work correctly. Try running the two commands in this step again from the beginning.

6

Install OpenClaw

Now we can finally install OpenClaw!

Type this command and press Enter:

bash
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash

What Does This Command Do?

This command downloads the OpenClaw installer from the internet and runs it. It is similar to downloading and double-clicking an installer on Windows, but done through the terminal.

Wait for the installation to complete (about 1-2 minutes).

Expected Result

Downloading OpenClaw... Installing OpenClaw... openclaw@1.x.x installed successfully Run 'openclaw onboard' to get started

Important: Close and reopen Ubuntu before continuing!

  1. Type exit and press Enter to close Ubuntu
  2. Open Ubuntu again from the Start menu

This step is necessary so that your computer recognizes the new openclaw command.

7

Run the OpenClaw Setup Wizard

OpenClaw includes a setup wizard that helps you configure everything. This is like going through the setup screens when you first install a new program on Windows.

Type this command and press Enter:

bash
openclaw onboard --install-daemon

What is --install-daemon?

The --install-daemon part tells OpenClaw to also set itself up to run in the background automatically. A "daemon" is a program that runs continuously in the background.

The wizard will ask you several questions. Here is what to choose:

  1. Gateway mode: Use the arrow keys to select "local" and press Enter. This means OpenClaw will run on your computer only.

  2. Authentication: The wizard will ask how you want to authenticate with AI services. Follow the prompts to enter your API key or set up OAuth.

  3. Channels: Select which chat apps you want to use (WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord, etc.). You can change this later.

  4. Background service: Choose "Yes" to keep OpenClaw running even when you close the terminal.

You Need an API Key

To make OpenClaw work with AI, you need an API key from an AI provider. The wizard will explain how to get one. Without an API key, OpenClaw cannot respond to your messages.

8

Check That OpenClaw Is Running

Let us make sure everything is working correctly.

Type these commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:

bash
openclaw status

Expected Result

Gateway: running Port: 18789 Auth: configured Channels: none connected

bash
openclaw health

Expected Result

Health: OK

What Do These Results Mean?

  • Gateway: running = OpenClaw is active and working
  • Port: 18789 = OpenClaw is listening on port 18789 (this is like a door number for network connections)
  • Auth: configured = Your API key is set up
  • Channels: none connected = You have not connected WhatsApp/Telegram yet (we will do this next)
  • Health: OK = Everything is working normally
9

Open the OpenClaw Dashboard

OpenClaw has a web page where you can see everything that is happening and change settings.

Open this address in your web browser (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, etc.):

text
http://127.0.0.1:18789/

What is 127.0.0.1?

127.0.0.1 is a special address that means "this computer". Port 18789 is where OpenClaw is listening. Together, this address takes you to the OpenClaw dashboard running on your own computer.

You should see the OpenClaw dashboard in your browser. From here you can:

  • See the status of your connections
  • View message logs
  • Change settings

Installation Complete!

Congratulations! OpenClaw is now installed and running on your Windows computer.

Common Problems and Solutions

"wsl --install" says "command not recognized"

This means your Windows version is too old.

Solution:

  1. Go to Settings (press Windows key + I)
  2. Click "Windows Update"
  3. Click "Check for updates"
  4. Install all available updates
  5. Restart and try again

Ubuntu does not appear in the Start menu

Solution: Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

powershell
wsl --install -d Ubuntu

"openclaw: command not found"

This means the terminal does not know where OpenClaw is installed.

Solutions to try in order:

  1. Close Ubuntu completely and open it again
  2. Run the install command again: curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
  3. See our detailed guide: OpenClaw Command Not Found

Password not working when I type it

Remember: when typing passwords in Ubuntu, no characters appear on screen. This is a security feature, not a bug. Just type your password and press Enter, even though you cannot see what you are typing.

"EACCES: permission denied" error

This is a permissions problem.

Solution: Run this command:

bash
sudo chown -R $(whoami) ~/.npm

Then try installing OpenClaw again.

"No auth configured" message

This means you need to set up your API key.

Solution: Run the setup wizard again:

bash
openclaw onboard

Everything is very slow

If Ubuntu/WSL feels slow:

  1. Do not work in Windows folders: Use /home/yourusername/ instead of /mnt/c/
  2. Update Windows Defender settings: Add WSL to the exclusion list
  3. Give WSL more memory: Create a file called .wslconfig in your Windows user folder

Keeping OpenClaw Safe

Security Tips

Follow these practices to keep your installation secure.

  • OpenClaw only runs locally: By default, only your computer can access OpenClaw. Other devices on your network cannot see it.

  • Keep your control token secret: If you set up a control token during setup, do not share it with anyone. Anyone with this token can control your OpenClaw.

  • Update regularly: Run this command occasionally to get security updates:

bash
openclaw update

What To Do Next

Now that OpenClaw is installed, you are ready to connect it to your chat apps:

  1. Connect to Telegram - Send AI messages through Telegram
  2. Connect to WhatsApp - Use AI through WhatsApp
  3. Connect to Discord - Add AI to your Discord server
  4. Your First Agent - Learn how to start chatting with AI

Stuck?

If you run into problems not covered here, check our Troubleshooting guide or visit the official OpenClaw documentation.

Last updated: February 2, 2026 | Found an error? Contact us

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