# How to Set Up OpenClaw on Windows 11 – Step-by-Step Guide > Set up OpenClaw on Windows 11 using the native one-line installer. No Docker, no WSL2 required. From install to live AI agent in a single session. **Published:** Mar 18, 2026 | **Author:** Michael Park | **Read time:** 10 min read Complete guide to setting up OpenClaw on Windows 11 (2026). Native installer, AI provider selection, Telegram or WhatsApp connection, and security tips. --- - OpenClaw on Windows 11 – Step-by-Step Guide' subtitle="Set up OpenClaw on Windows 11 using the native one-line installer. No Docker, no WSL2 required. From install to live AI agent in a single session." readTime="10 min read" publishDate="Mar 18, 2026" author="Michael Park" /> Setting up [OpenClaw](/blog/what-is-openclaw/) on Windows 11 is simpler than most guides suggest. Windows 11 includes a native PowerShell installer — one command, follow the wizard, and your AI agent is live. This guide walks you through every step — installer, AI provider, messaging channel, and security. Prefer to skip local setup? [Ampere.sh](https://www.ampere.sh/) handles everything with no configuration required. Before You Start: Security Advisory OpenClaw is powerful but experimental software. Read this before installing: Use a Dedicated Machine Ideally install on a VPS, VM, or dedicated device — not your main personal PC with sensitive data. Don't Run as Admin Run the installer as a standard user, not as Administrator, to limit what the process can access. Vet Community Skills Only install skills from trusted sources. Community plugins can contain malware — scan with Cisco Skill Scanner before installing. Bind to Localhost In `openclaw.json`, change your gateway setting from `0.0.0.0` to `127.0.0.1` to prevent external access. Windows 11 Setup Requirements The native Windows 11 installer is lightweight. Here's what you need before running it: Component Requirement OS Windows 11 (Home, Pro, or Enterprise) RAM 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended) Storage 2 GB free space PowerShell Built into Windows 11 (no extra install needed) Internet Stable connection for installer download and AI API calls AI API Key Funded account from Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, or MiniMax How to Set Up OpenClaw on Windows 11 Step 1: Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell Windows 11 includes Windows Terminal pre-installed — the best way to run commands. Open it from the Start menu or press `Win + X → Windows Terminal`. You don't need to run it as Administrator for the installer. A standard user session works. Step 2: Run the Native Windows Installer OpenClaw has a dedicated Windows PowerShell installer. Paste this single command and press Enter: iwr -useb https://openclaw.ai/install.ps1 | iex The installer will download and launch automatically. When it asks about the security advisory — **read it**. Select **"Yes, I understand"** to continue. The OpenClaw installer — select "Yes, I understand" then choose QuickStart Step 3: Select QuickStart The installer will present installation options. Select **QuickStart** — this sets up safe, sensible defaults and is the recommended option for most users. You can fine-tune configuration after you have a working setup. Don't overthink it at this stage. Step 4: Choose Your AI Provider & API Key Select your preferred AI provider from the list. Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide: Provider Best For Cost Anthropic (Claude) Best overall functionality Pay-as-you-go OpenAI (GPT) Vision tasks, broad compatibility Pay-as-you-go Google Gemini Low cost, fast responses Free tier available MiniMax Budget-friendly option Very low cost Select your AI provider — Anthropic is recommended for best functionality Once you've chosen a provider, create and fund your API key, then paste it into the terminal when prompted. Recommended model selection: Don't pick the most powerful model as your default (e.g., Claude Opus) unless you need it — the cost adds up fast. **Claude Sonnet** or **Gemini Flash** are the sweet spot for most users: fast, capable, and affordable. Step 5: Complete the Installation The installer will handle the rest automatically. When asked about skills, you can select **No** for now — you can always [install skills later](/blog/best-openclaw-skills/) once your agent is running. When prompted about **bash shell completion**, we recommend enabling it — it makes running OpenClaw commands significantly faster by auto-completing as you type. Select **npm** as your preferred node manager and continue with defaults until the installer finishes. Select your messaging channel — Telegram is selected by default in QuickStart mode Connect Your Messaging Channel The installer will ask you to select a messaging channel — this is how you interact with your OpenClaw agent. Here are the two most popular options: Option A: Telegram Open Telegram and search for **@BotFather** Setting up [OpenClaw](/blog/what-is-openclaw/) on Windows 11 is simpler than most guides suggest. Windows 11 includes a native PowerShell installer — one command, follow the wizard, and your AI agent is live. This guide walks you through every step — installer, AI provider, messaging channel, and security. Prefer to skip local setup? [Ampere.sh](https://www.ampere.sh/) handles everything with no configuration required. Setting up [OpenClaw](/blog/what-is-openclaw/) on Windows 11 is simpler than most guides suggest. Windows 11 includes a native PowerShell installer — one command, follow the wizard, and your AI agent is live. This guide walks you through every step — installer, AI provider, messaging channel, and security. Prefer to skip local setup? [Ampere.sh](https://www.ampere.sh/) handles everything with no configuration required. ## Before You Start: Security Advisory OpenClaw is powerful but experimental software. Read this before installing: ### Use a Dedicated Machine Ideally install on a VPS, VM, or dedicated device — not your main personal PC with sensitive data. ### Don't Run as Admin Run the installer as a standard user, not as Administrator, to limit what the process can access. ### Vet Community Skills Only install skills from trusted sources. Community plugins can contain malware — scan with Cisco Skill Scanner before installing. ### Bind to Localhost In `openclaw.json`, change your gateway setting from `0.0.0.0` to `127.0.0.1` to prevent external access. ## Windows 11 Setup Requirements | Component | Requirement | | --- | --- | | OS | Windows 11 (Home, Pro, or Enterprise) | | RAM | 4 GB minimum (8 GB recommended) | | Storage | 2 GB free space | | PowerShell | Built into Windows 11 (no extra install needed) | | Internet | Stable connection for installer download and AI API calls | | AI API Key | Funded account from Anthropic, OpenAI, Gemini, or MiniMax | The native Windows 11 installer is lightweight. Here's what you need before running it: ## How to Set Up OpenClaw on Windows 11 ### Step 1: Open Windows Terminal or PowerShell Windows 11 includes Windows Terminal pre-installed — the best way to run commands. Open it from the Start menu or press `Win + X → Windows Terminal`. You don't need to run it as Administrator for the installer. A standard user session works. ### Step 2: Run the Native Windows Installer OpenClaw has a dedicated Windows PowerShell installer. Paste this single command and press Enter: The installer will download and launch automatically. When it asks about the security advisory — **read it**. Select **"Yes, I understand"** to continue. The OpenClaw installer — select "Yes, I understand" then choose QuickStart ### Step 3: Select QuickStart The installer will present installation options. Select **QuickStart** — this sets up safe, sensible defaults and is the recommended option for most users. You can fine-tune configuration after you have a working setup. Don't overthink it at this stage. ### Step 4: Choose Your AI Provider & API Key Select your preferred AI provider from the list. Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide: Select your AI provider — Anthropic is recommended for best functionality Once you've chosen a provider, create and fund your API key, then paste it into the terminal when prompted. Recommended model selection: Don't pick the most powerful model as your default (e.g., Claude Opus) unless you need it — the cost adds up fast. **Claude Sonnet** or **Gemini Flash** are the sweet spot for most users: fast, capable, and affordable. ### Step 5: Complete the Installation The installer will handle the rest automatically. When asked about skills, you can select **No** for now — you can always [install skills later](/blog/best-openclaw-skills/) once your agent is running. When prompted about **bash shell completion**, we recommend enabling it — it makes running OpenClaw commands significantly faster by auto-completing as you type. Select **npm** as your preferred node manager and continue with defaults until the installer finishes. Select your messaging channel — Telegram is selected by default in QuickStart mode ## Connect Your Messaging Channel The installer will ask you to select a messaging channel — this is how you interact with your OpenClaw agent. Here are the two most popular options: ### Option A: Telegram - Send `/newbot`, enter a name for your bot - Copy the token BotFather gives you - Paste it into the OpenClaw terminal when prompted - Open Telegram, find your new bot, and start chatting Telegram Bot selected — channel connected and test message sent successfully ### Option B: WhatsApp - Select WhatsApp as your channel in the installer - Choose **"Display QR code"** when prompted - Open WhatsApp on your phone → Settings → QR code icon → Scan code - Scan the QR code shown in your terminal - Enter your phone number if prompted, and the connection is complete Once connected, send a message to your bot. OpenClaw will respond — your AI agent is live on Windows 11. You can also connect to Discord if that's your preferred platform. ## Performance Tips for OpenClaw on Windows 11 ### Pick the Right Model Don't default to the most powerful model. Claude Sonnet or Gemini Flash handle most tasks well and cost a fraction of Opus or GPT-4o. ### Enable Shell Completion If you skipped it during setup, enable bash shell completion — it auto-completes commands and speeds up your workflow significantly. ### Install Skills Gradually Start with a lean setup. Only install skills you actually need — each one adds to the agent's context and can slow responses if overdone. ### Keep Windows 11 Updated Windows 11 updates include Node.js compatibility improvements and security patches relevant to OpenClaw's runtime environment. ## How to Keep OpenClaw Running 24/7 on Windows 11 By default, OpenClaw stops when you close your terminal. Here are two reliable ways to keep it running continuously on Windows 11 — even after reboots. ### Option 1: Windows Task Scheduler (Built-In) Task Scheduler is built into Windows 11 and requires no extra installs. It can auto-start OpenClaw every time your PC boots. - Press `Win + S` → search **Task Scheduler** → open it - Click **Create Basic Task** in the right panel - Name it **"OpenClaw Gateway"** → click Next - Set trigger to **"When the computer starts"** → Next - Action: **"Start a program"** → Browse to your Node.js executable - In the **Arguments** field, enter: Check **"Run whether user is logged on or not"** and **"Run with highest privileges"** for reliable background execution. ### Option 2: PM2 Process Manager (Recommended) PM2 is a lightweight process manager that keeps Node.js apps alive, auto-restarts on crashes, and generates startup scripts. It's the most reliable way to run OpenClaw 24/7. After running `pm2 startup`, PM2 will output a command — copy and run it in your terminal to register the startup script. From now on, OpenClaw will start automatically on every reboot. Useful PM2 commands to manage your agent: Don't want to manage this yourself? [Ampere.sh](https://www.ampere.sh/) runs OpenClaw 24/7 in the cloud — no Task Scheduler, no PM2, no configuration. Your agent stays online even when your Windows 11 PC is off. ## Skip the Local Setup? Deploy OpenClaw on Ampere.sh — no installer, no API key config, no local management needed. [Deploy Now — Free Credits →](https://www.ampere.sh/setup) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Does OpenClaw work on Windows 11 Home? Yes. The native PowerShell installer works on all Windows 11 editions — Home, Pro, and Enterprise. No WSL2 or Docker required. ### Which AI provider should I choose? Anthropic (Claude) is recommended for the best functionality. For lower cost, Gemini Flash or MiniMax are solid picks. You'll need to create an API key and fund your account before setup. ### Can I use OpenClaw without a paid API key? You need a funded API account from your chosen provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.). Most providers offer pay-as-you-go pricing with low minimum funding requirements. ### Is it safe to install OpenClaw on my personal Windows 11 PC? OpenClaw is experimental software. For production use, it's best installed on a dedicated machine, VPS, or VM — not on a personal device with sensitive data. Never install as an admin user if you can avoid it. ### Can I change my AI model or channel after setup? Yes. You can change your default model and messaging channel at any point by editing openclaw.json or re-running the configuration wizard. You're not locked into any choice. ### What if I prefer to skip local setup entirely? Ampere.sh deploys OpenClaw for you — no installer, no API key management, no configuration. Free credits are available to get started immediately.