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Category: Windows Setup

OpenClaw Windows Setup details the installation, subsystem configuration, and runtime environment optimization for running OpenClaw agents natively or via Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2) on Windows 10 and 11.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Foundational Pillars (Start Here)

Authoritative implementation blueprints and core configurations verified by our technical engineering team.

Quickstart Guide

OpenClaw Install Windows: Your First Agent in 15 Minutes

Step-by-step setup tutorial covering PowerShell execution policies, Python path configuration, and initial agent initialization.

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Containerized Option

OpenClaw Docker: Deploy Your Agent Stack in Minutes

Using Docker Desktop for Windows with WSL2 backend to run OpenClaw in a clean, isolated Linux container.

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System Sizing

OpenClaw System Requirements: What You Actually Need

Hardware guidelines for Windows workstations, covering NVIDIA CUDA driver prerequisites and memory allocation.

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Windows Runtime Strategy: Native PowerShell vs WSL2 Subsystem

When deploying OpenClaw on Windows, engineers face a choice between native Windows execution (PowerShell/CMD) and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2). Native execution provides direct access to Windows desktop applications and native file systems but requires careful management of Windows path delimiters (“ vs `/`), PowerShell execution policies (`Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned`), and process terminating commands.

For production and high-complexity agent workflows involving shell scripting and Linux build tools, WSL2 is the strongly recommended architecture. WSL2 provides a genuine Linux kernel running alongside Windows with full access to NVIDIA CUDA drivers, allowing seamless execution of Linux shell commands and containerized agent stacks.

Deployment Route	Compatibility Level	GPU Pass-Through	Recommended Workload
WSL2 (Ubuntu 24.04)	100% Linux Native	Direct NVIDIA CUDA support	Production workflows, multi-agent scripting & dev tools
Native Windows Python	High (Pure Python tools)	Direct PyTorch/CUDA support	Desktop integration, native Windows automation
Docker Desktop (WSL2)	Containerized Isolation	CUDA Container Toolkit	Standardized team environments & ephemeral runs

Curated Topic Directory & Implementation Guides

Explore specific technical tutorials, integration setups, and architectural deep-dives.

Windows Installation & Execution

Containerized Windows Deployments

Frequently Asked Questions

Direct technical answers to common architecture, performance, and deployment questions.

Why does PowerShell block OpenClaw script execution by default?

Windows PowerShell restricts script execution under the default `Restricted` execution policy. Running `Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser` enables locally created and signed scripts to execute safely.

Can I use an NVIDIA GPU on Windows for OpenClaw local models?

Yes. By installing the latest NVIDIA Game Ready or Studio Drivers, both native Windows and WSL2 environments can access CUDA acceleration for local models running in Ollama or LM Studio.

Where should I store project files when using WSL2 with OpenClaw?

Always store files in the Linux filesystem (e.g. `/home/username/projects/`), not the Windows mounted drive (`/mnt/c/`). Cross-filesystem access between Windows and WSL2 introduces severe disk I/O performance degradation.