Vim is one of the more popular text editors of today, which is derived from Vi, rather than an improved version of it. Vim is a command-line text editor which works across platforms and can be used with or without a GUI. Vim can be ported to platforms like Windows, as it is a cross-platform text editor, but it was mainly created for Unix, BSD, and Linux systems.
VIM vs GVIM
If you want to use native Vim, then you should work on the command line as it is a command-line text editor. The Vim that can be used with the graphic environments is the Gvim or the Graphical Vim.
When you are using it on Windows, the installation of Vim will automatically install Gvim to use the Vim from the desktop.
Download Vim Installer For Windows
You will find that the installers for Vim on Windows are provided in different formats like 64-bit installer, 32-bit installer, Portable version 32-bit, or 64-bit executables. These installers are provided on the release page through the Vim Github repository.
For instance, you can use this link to install a 64-bit Vim installer for version 8.2.1970.
https://github.com/vim/vim-win32-installer/releases/download/v8.2.1970/gvim_8.2.1970_x64.exe
You can use this link to install a 32-bit Vim installer for version 8.2.1970.
https://github.com/vim/vim-win32-installer/releases/download/v8.2.1970/gvim_8.2.1970_x86.exe
Install Vim On Windows
First, you have to run the downloaded Windows installer file by double-clicking on it. English is the default language on this screen named Installer Language, but you can download it in different languages like German, French, etc.
- First, you will see a welcome screen that provides some generic information.
- Then, the license agreement and license information about the Vim will be provided.
- Then the components which will be installed are selected. The type of install, which can be minimal, full, etc., is now selected. You could also select the components one by one with the checkboxes.
Then, you can select some Vim configuration and behaviour which will be set in the _vimrc configuration file.
- Compatibility and enhancements
- Mappings
- Mouse
Here, you can provide the installation path of Vim for Windows. The default provided path is C:\Program Files\Vim.
The dll, configuration, executables, resource files will be copied and configured in this step.
Open Vim
You can open the Vim from the start menu by typing it on the Start menu and running the Vim application launcher. A screen very similar to Linux would be opened when Vim is opened. Then you can start adding text by pressing i.
Open Gvim
A desktop shortcut of GVIM has been added to the desktop automatically, you can open GVIM from there itself. You will be provided with GUI related menu and functions by GVIM. You will see information regarding the Vim version, a social message saying "Help poor children in Uganda!", and how to get the help from the Vim command line on the welcome screen.
Run Vim via MS-DOS
You can run Vim via the MS-DOS command-line interface too, you just have to run the GVIM command via the MS-DOS.
Run Vim via PowerShell
You can use PowerShell to run Vim, just like the MS-DOS command-line interface. You can use the GVIM command to run Vim.
