How to Install and Configure Microsoft Git Credential Manager for Windows

How to Install and Configure Microsoft Git Credential Manager for Windows

Overview

Microsoft Git Credential Manager (GCM) for Windows stores and manages Git credentials to streamline authentication with Git remotes (Azure DevOps, GitHub, GitLab, etc.). This guide assumes Windows ⁄₁₁ and Git already installed.

1. Install GCM

1. Download the latest GCM for Windows installer from the official release page:
   • URL: https://aka.ms/gcm/latest
2. Run the downloaded installer and follow prompts. Accept defaults unless you need a custom install path.
3. Verify installation:

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   git-credential-manager-core –version 

2. Enable GCM for Git

1. Set GCM as Git’s credential helper globally:

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   git config –global credential.helper manager-core 

2. Confirm Git is using GCM:

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   git config –global –get credential.helper 

   Expected output: manager-core

3. Authenticate with a Remote

1. Clone or interact with a remote requiring authentication (clone, fetch, push). On first access, GCM will open a browser window for sign-in.
2. Choose the provider (e.g., GitHub, Azure DevOps) and complete OAuth or personal access token flow.
3. GCM stores the resulting token in the Windows Credential Manager for future use.

4. Configure provider-specific options (optional)

• For Azure DevOps with PAT scopes, ensure scopes include Code (read/write).
• To force use of PAT instead of OAuth, create a PAT on the provider and use:

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  git credential-manager-core store 

  Then follow prompts to input the URL, username, and token.

5. Troubleshooting

• If sign-in browser doesn’t open: ensure default browser is set and OS pop-up blockers allow it.
• If credentials fail repeatedly: clear stored credentials in Windows Credential Manager and retry.
  • Open Control Panel → Credential Manager → Windows Credentials → remove entries for your Git host.
• Use verbose logging:

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  GCMTRACE=1 git push 

  Or enable logging in GCM config:

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  git config –global credential.credentialStore log