How to Install Flutter in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 22, 2025

Flutter has quickly become one of the most popular frameworks for building cross-platform apps. Whether you want to create Android, iOS, web, or desktop apps, Flutter gives you one codebase to manage it all. But before you can start coding your first app, you’ll need to set up Flutter on your system.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to install Flutter in Windows 11 step by step. By the end, you’ll have a fully working Flutter development environment — ready for your first project.

📌 Summary: Key Takeaways

  • Flutter is a Google framework for building cross-platform apps with a single codebase.

  • On Windows 11, installing Flutter involves:

    1. Downloading the Flutter SDK.

    2. Extracting and adding it to your PATH.

    3. Installing Git and Android Studio (or Visual Studio Code).

    4. Setting up Android Emulator or physical device.

    5. Running flutter doctor to fix setup issues.

  • A successful setup lets you build Android, iOS (via remote tools), and web apps on Windows.

Why Install Flutter on Windows 11?

You might be wondering: Why bother with Flutter at all?

Here are a few reasons:

  • Cross-platform power: Write once, run on Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and web.

  • Faster development: Hot Reload speeds up testing changes.

  • Strong ecosystem: Backed by Google and supported by a vibrant community.

  • Windows-friendly: Unlike iOS development (which needs macOS), Flutter works smoothly on Windows for Android, web, and desktop apps.

System Requirements for Flutter on Windows 11

Before we start, make sure your system meets these minimum requirements:

Requirement Details
OS Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
Disk Space At least 1.64 GB (without IDEs/tools)
Tools PowerShell 5.0 or newer, Git for Windows
Hardware 8 GB RAM (recommended), Intel/AMD CPU
IDE (optional) Android Studio or Visual Studio Code for coding and emulators

Step 1: Download Flutter SDK for Windows

  1. Visit the official Flutter download page: Flutter SDK for Windows.

  2. Download the latest stable Flutter SDK .zip file.

  3. Save it to a location like C:\src\flutter (recommended).

👉 Avoid installing in directories like Program Files because of permission issues.

Step 2: Extract the Flutter SDK

  1. Right-click the downloaded .zip file.

  2. Select Extract All and choose the C:\src folder.

  3. After extraction, you’ll see a folder structure like:

C:\src\flutter\bin

That bin folder is where the Flutter command-line tools live.

Step 3: Add Flutter to PATH in Windows 11

Adding Flutter to PATH allows you to run Flutter commands from anywhere in Command Prompt or PowerShell.

  1. Press Windows + S and search for Environment Variables.

  2. Click Edit the system environment variables.

  3. In the System Properties window, click Environment Variables.

  4. Under System variables, find and select Path, then click Edit.

  5. Click New, then enter:

C:\src\flutter\bin

  1. Click OK to save.

To verify, open Command Prompt and type:

flutter --version

If it shows a version, your PATH is set correctly.

Step 4: Install Git for Windows

Flutter relies on Git to fetch packages and update itself.

  1. Download Git from git-scm.com.

  2. Run the installer and keep default settings.

  3. After installation, open Command Prompt and type:

git --version

If you see a version number, Git is installed.

Step 5: Install an IDE (Android Studio or VS Code)

You can write Flutter code in any editor, but using a proper IDE makes life easier.

Option 1: Android Studio

  • Download from Android Studio.

  • Install it with the Flutter and Dart plugins (from Plugins Marketplace).

Option 2: Visual Studio Code (Lightweight)

  • Download VS Code.

  • Install Flutter and Dart extensions from the Extensions Marketplace.

👉 Both work well, but Android Studio is better for managing Android emulators.

Step 6: Install Android SDK and Emulator

Since Windows can’t build iOS apps directly, we’ll focus on Android setup.

  1. Open Android Studio.

  2. Go to More Actions → SDK Manager.

  3. Install:

    • Android SDK

    • Android SDK Platform-Tools

    • Android SDK Build-Tools

  4. Then go to AVD Manager and create a new Android Virtual Device (emulator).

Step 7: Run Flutter Doctor

Now it’s time to check if everything is configured correctly.

Open Command Prompt and run:

flutter doctor

This command scans your setup and tells you what’s missing.

You’ll see output like:

Doctor summary (to see all details, run flutter doctor -v):
[√] Flutter (Channel stable, 3.x, on Microsoft Windows [Version 11], locale en-US)
[√] Android toolchain - develop for Android devices
[√] Chrome - develop for the web
[!] Android Studio (not installed)
[√] VS Code (version x.x)
[√] Connected device (1 available)

👉 If you see warnings, follow the suggestions provided (like installing missing SDKs).

Step 8: Test Your Flutter Installation

Let’s make sure everything is working by running a test app.

  1. In Command Prompt, create a new project:

flutter create my_first_app

  1. Navigate to the folder:

cd my_first_app

  1. Run the app:

flutter run

If you have an emulator running (or a connected Android device), the default Flutter app should appear.

🎉 Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed Flutter in Windows 11.

Common Issues and Fixes

1. Flutter Command Not Found

  • Double-check your PATH.

  • Restart your computer.

2. Emulator Not Starting

  • Enable Virtualization Technology in BIOS.

  • Use an x86_64 emulator image instead of ARM.

3. flutter doctor Still Shows Issues

  • Run flutter doctor -v for detailed logs.

  • Reinstall missing components (SDK tools, plugins).

Advanced Setup (Optional)

Once the basics are working, you can enhance your setup:

  • Enable Web Support:

    flutter config --enable-web

  • Enable Desktop Support (Windows apps):

    flutter config --enable-windows-desktop

  • Use FVM (Flutter Version Manager) to switch between Flutter versions easily.

Best Practices for Flutter on Windows 11

  • Keep Flutter updated:

    flutter upgrade

  • Use VS Code if you want lightweight performance.

  • Regularly check flutter doctor after updates.

  • Use real devices for testing alongside emulators.

Conclusion

Setting up Flutter might seem overwhelming at first, but once you follow these steps, it’s actually straightforward. On Windows 11, the process mainly involves downloading the SDK, setting PATH, installing Git, an IDE, and Android tools. After running flutter doctor, you’ll be ready to build apps for Android, web, and even Windows desktop.

If you’re serious about app development, Flutter is worth every bit of setup effort. Now that your environment is ready, why not start building your dream app today?

FAQs About Installing Flutter in Windows 11

1. Can I install Flutter without Android Studio?
Yes! You can use VS Code or any text editor. You only need Android Studio if you want to use the built-in emulator.

2. Do I need Java for Flutter on Windows?
Yes, if you’re building Android apps, the Android SDK requires Java (installed automatically with Android Studio).

3. Can Flutter build iOS apps on Windows?
Not directly. You’ll need a macOS system or cloud-based Mac service to compile iOS apps.

4. How do I update Flutter in Windows 11?
Run:

flutter upgrade

5. What if flutter doctor shows missing components?
Just install the missing tools it suggests (like Android SDK, device drivers, or IDE plugins).

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