How to Install OpenClaw on Windows (Quick Setup Guide)

OpenClaw is a free, open-source AI agent that runs on your own hardware and connects to messaging apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, and Discord. It can manage files, execute shell commands, automate workflows, and respond to your messages around the clock.

While many guides focus on Mac setups, OpenClaw works well on Windows 10 and Windows 11 too. You can install it natively using PowerShell or through WSL2 (Windows Subsystem for Linux) for a more stable experience. This guide covers both methods so you can pick the one that fits your comfort level.

How to Install OpenClaw on Windows

There are two main ways to install OpenClaw on Windows. The native PowerShell method is faster and works for most use cases. The WSL2 method gives you a full Linux environment, which the OpenClaw developer considers more stable and fully compatible with all features.

If you just want to get started quickly, go with PowerShell. If you plan to use shell-based skills, automation scripts, or want maximum reliability, WSL2 is the better path.

What You Need Before Starting

Make sure your system meets these requirements before proceeding:

Windows 10 (version 2004 or later) or Windows 11. At least 4GB of RAM, though 8GB or more is recommended. Node.js version 22 or higher. An API key from your preferred LLM provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, or a local model through Ollama). Administrator access on your PC.

Method 1: Install OpenClaw Using PowerShell (Native Windows)

This is the quickest way to get OpenClaw running on your Windows machine.

Step 1: Install Node.js

OpenClaw requires Node.js 22 or newer. Download the latest LTS installer from nodejs.org and run it. During installation, make sure the "Add to PATH" option is checked.

After installation, open PowerShell and verify:

node --version

npm --version

You should see Node.js 22.x.x or newer and npm 10.x.x or higher.

Step 2: Set the PowerShell Execution Policy

Windows blocks script execution by default, which can cause errors during OpenClaw installation. Run PowerShell as Administrator and enter:

Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

This allows locally created scripts and signed remote scripts to run. Without this step, you may encounter a "scripts are disabled on this system" error when npm tries to execute.

Step 3: Install OpenClaw

With Node.js ready, install OpenClaw globally:

npm install -g openclaw@latest

Once the installation finishes, launch the onboarding wizard:

openclaw onboard

The wizard guides you through the setup:

1. Select your AI provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, Google Gemini, or Ollama for local models).
2. Enter your API key.
3. Choose a messaging channel (Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, Slack, or others).
4. Configure optional skills. You can skip this for now and add them later.

Step 4: Start the Gateway

After onboarding, start the OpenClaw gateway:

openclaw gateway start

Check that everything is running properly:

openclaw doctor

openclaw gateway status

Send a message through your connected messaging app, and your OpenClaw agent should respond. You are up and running.

Method 2: Install OpenClaw Using WSL2 (Recommended for Advanced Users)

WSL2 gives you a full Linux environment inside Windows. This method offers better file system performance for Node.js workloads, full compatibility with all OpenClaw features including shell-based skills, and a more stable experience overall. The OpenClaw developer has noted that native Windows support is less tested, making WSL2 the safer bet for production use.

Step 1: Install WSL2

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

wsl --install

This installs WSL2 with Ubuntu as the default Linux distribution. Restart your computer when prompted. After the restart, Ubuntu launches automatically and asks you to create a username and password.

Step 2: Enable systemd in WSL

OpenClaw's daemon relies on systemd, which needs to be enabled in WSL2. Open the WSL terminal and edit the configuration:

sudo nano /etc/wsl.conf

Add the following lines:

[boot]

systemd=true

‍

Save the file and restart WSL by running wsl --shutdown in PowerShell, then reopen Ubuntu.

Step 3: Install Node.js Inside WSL

Open your WSL terminal (search for "Ubuntu" in the Start menu) and run:

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

sudo apt-get install -y nodejs

Verify with node --version to confirm Node.js 22 or newer is installed.

Step 4: Install and Configure OpenClaw

From the WSL terminal, run:

npm install -g openclaw@latest

openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The --install-daemon flag sets up a systemd service so OpenClaw starts automatically and survives reboots. Follow the same onboarding steps as the PowerShell method: choose your provider, enter your API key, and connect a messaging channel.

Step 5: Keep WSL Running in the Background

For OpenClaw to stay active 24/7, WSL needs to remain running. You can use PM2 to manage the process:

npm install -g pm2

Configure WSL to start automatically with Windows by adding it to your startup applications. This way, your AI agent stays online even after a reboot.

Security Tips for OpenClaw on Windows

OpenClaw has broad system access, so taking security precautions is important regardless of which installation method you choose.

Bind the gateway to 127.0.0.1 (localhost only) during onboarding. This prevents external access to your agent. Never expose port 18789 to the internet. If you need remote access, use a VPN or SSH tunnel. Be cautious with third-party skills from ClawHub. Security audits have found malicious entries in the marketplace, so verify any skill before installing it. Consider running OpenClaw on a dedicated machine or virtual machine rather than your primary personal computer. Set your API key as a permanent environment variable using [System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable("ANTHROPIC_API_KEY", "your-key", "User") in PowerShell so it persists across sessions without being stored in plain-text config files.

Connecting OpenClaw to Your Workflows

Once OpenClaw is running, you can connect it to platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Discord, and Slack to manage tasks through natural conversation. The agent can handle email triage, calendar management, file operations, and custom automations.

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Conclusion

Installing OpenClaw on Windows is straightforward whether you go with the native PowerShell approach or the WSL2 route. PowerShell gets you up and running in about 15 minutes and works for most use cases. WSL2 takes a few extra steps but delivers the full Linux-compatible experience with better stability.

Pick the method that matches your needs, follow the steps above, and you will have a personal AI agent responding to your messages in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can I install OpenClaw on Windows 10?

Yes. OpenClaw works on Windows 10 (version 2004 or later) and Windows 11. Both the native PowerShell method and the WSL2 method are supported. WSL2 is available on Windows 10 version 2004 and newer.

2) Should I use PowerShell or WSL2 to install OpenClaw?

For a quick setup and basic use, PowerShell works fine. If you want full feature compatibility, better performance with Node.js workloads, and support for shell-based skills, WSL2 is the recommended choice.

3) What LLM providers does OpenClaw support on Windows?

OpenClaw supports Anthropic (Claude), OpenAI (GPT), Google Gemini, and local models through Ollama. You can also use providers through OpenRouter. The AI provider choice is the same across all operating systems.

4) How do I keep OpenClaw running in the background on Windows?

For native Windows, use PM2 (npm install -g pm2) to run OpenClaw as a background process. For WSL2, the --install-daemon flag during onboarding sets up a systemd service. Configure WSL to start with Windows so the agent stays active after reboots.

5) Is OpenClaw on Windows as good as on Mac?

For cloud-based AI providers like Claude or GPT, performance is nearly identical since it is network-bound. The main differences are that macOS has exclusive integrations with Apple apps (Notes, Reminders, iMessage, Calendar), and Apple Silicon Macs are more power-efficient for 24/7 operation. Everything else, including Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, Discord, file operations, and web skills, works the same on Windows.