C Programming Tutorial Part 2: Install C Compiler and Run Your First Program

By GDR on October 23, 2026

This tutorial follows your Part 2 video, with updated installation guidance and corrections where the original steps could confuse beginners. Your video demonstrates setting up GCC on Windows using MinGW, checking it from Command Prompt, and compiling a program on Linux using the terminal. The tutorial below preserves those learning goals while also explaining the commands properly. The main technical update is the Windows installation method. The video uses the older MinGW Installation Manager workflow. For a new setup, the official MSYS2 UCRT64 method is a better current recommendation.

## C Programming Part 2: How to Set Up C on Windows and Run Your First Program

Hello hello from GDR! Hello hello, guys! Welcome back to another tutorial. In Part 1, we learned what C Language is, why it is important, and why we should learn it even when languages like Python, Java, and JavaScript already exist. Now it's time to stop talking and start doing something. Today, we are going to set up C Programming on our Windows computer, install a compiler, write our first C program, and run it successfully. And don't worry. You don't need a ₹1 lakh gaming laptop, 64 GB RAM, or a NASA computer to run a simple C program. If your laptop can open a browser without turning into a heater, we can probably get started. Let's begin!Watch the original video Here is my original setup tutorial. Watch it alongside this written guide. The video uses an older MinGW installation method. Below, I'll explain a recommended setup for new Windows installations and clarify the technical points that beginners often misunderstand.1. What do we need to start C Programming? Before writing code, we need two things. First, a code editor. A code editor is where we write our code. We can use Visual Studio Code, Notepad++, or even Notepad. Second, a compiler. A compiler translates our C source code into a form that the computer can execute. For this tutorial, we'll use GCC, which stands for GNU Compiler Collection. GCC supports several programming languages, including C and C++. Remember, installing VS Code does not automatically mean you have installed a C compiler. VS Code is where you write your code, while GCC compiles it. Installing a code editor and expecting C to work automatically is like buying a notebook and expecting your homework to complete itself. If that worked, every student would have a 10 CGPA and absolutely no idea how they got it.2. Installing C on Windows We'll use MSYS2 with the UCRT64 GCC toolchain. This is a recommended approach for a fresh Windows installation. Official websites: MSYS2: <a href="https://www.msys2.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">https://www.msys2.org/</a> Microsoft's VS Code C/C++ setup guide: <a href="https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-mingw?utm_source=chatgpt.com">https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-mingw</a>Step 1: Download MSYS2 Open your browser and visit <a href="https://www.msys2.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">https://www.msys2.org/</a>. Download the official installer and install it. Unless you have a specific reason to change it, keep the default installation folder: <code>C:\msys64</code> Please download it from the official website. Don't download random files called <code>GCC_FINAL_REAL_FIXED_2026.exe</code> from suspicious websites. We're trying to become programmers, not the main character of a cybersecurity incident report.

Step 2: Open the MSYS2 UCRT64 terminal Open your Windows Start menu and search for: <code>MSYS2 UCRT64</code> Launch it. First, update the MSYS2 packages:<code></code>

```shell
pacman -Syu
```

Follow the instructions displayed in the terminal. If it asks you to close the terminal after updating, close it, reopen the UCRT64 terminal, and follow any remaining update instructions. Now install GCC and the development tools:<code></code>

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```shell
pacman -S --needed base-devel mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-toolchain
```

If it asks you to choose packages from the toolchain group, press Enter to accept the default selection. When asked to proceed, type <code>Y</code> and press Enter. Wait for the installation to finish. It might take a while depending on your internet connection. Don't close the terminal halfway through because you're bored. The compiler is installing, not writing a suspense thriller.Step 3: Add GCC to PATH Now we need to make GCC accessible from Windows Command Prompt. If you used the default MSYS2 installation location, the GCC executable folder should be: <code>C:\msys64\ucrt64\bin</code> Copy this path. Then follow these steps: Open the Windows Start menu. Search for Edit environment variables for your account. Open the settings. Find the <code>Path</code> variable under your user variables. Click Edit. Click New. Paste <code>C:\msys64\ucrt64\bin</code>. Click OK to save your changes. Do not delete your existing PATH entries. Simply add the new one. And please don't randomly delete every entry because you saw a YouTube comment saying it fixes everything. We are installing a compiler, not speedrunning Windows repair. Close any previously opened Command Prompt or terminal windows, then open a new one so it receives the updated PATH.

Step 4: Check whether GCC is installed

Press <code>Win + R</code>, type <code>cmd</code>, and press Enter. Now run:

```shell
gcc --version
```

If everything is configured correctly, you should see GCC version information. The exact output will depend on the version you installed. If Windows says: <code>'gcc' is not recognized as an internal or external command</code> it means Windows cannot find GCC. The compiler might not be installed properly, or its folder might be missing from PATH. Check your installation and PATH entry before trying again. Remember, <code>gcc --version</code> confirms that Windows can find GCC. We'll still compile a real program to test that everything works.3. Write your first C program Congratulations! We've installed the compiler. Now let's write some actual code. Create a folder on your Desktop called: <code>C-Practice</code> Inside that folder, create a file called: <code>main.c</code> Make sure the filename really ends with <code>.c</code>, not <code>.txt</code>. Windows sometimes hides file extensions by default, so you can enable View → Show → File name extensions in File Explorer to check. Now open <code>main.c</code> in VS Code or your preferred text editor and write this code:

```cpp

#include <stdio.h> int main(void) { printf("Hello, World!\n"); return 0; }

```

Let's understand what we wrote.<code>#include <stdio.h></code> This includes the standard input/output header, which declares functions such as <code>printf()</code>.<code>int main(void)</code> This defines the main function, where execution of a normal hosted C program begins.<code>printf("Hello, World!\n");</code> This displays <code>Hello, World!</code> on the screen. The <code>\n</code> moves the output to a new line.<code>return 0;</code> This indicates successful termination when the program reaches the return statement in a normal hosted environment. It doesn't prevent every possible error. It simply returns a status value.Why is there a semicolon? In C, most statements end with a semicolon. Forget one in the wrong place, and the compiler might complain. The compiler isn't angry with you. It doesn't even know you exist. It simply follows the rules, unlike that one friend who still hasn't returned your ₹500.4. Compile and run your first program Now we need to compile the code. Open your <code>C-Practice</code> folder in VS Code. Select Terminal, then New Terminal. Make sure the terminal is inside the folder containing <code>main.c</code>. You can check by running:<code>dir</code> You should see <code>main.c</code> in the output.Step 1: Compile the program Run:<code>gcc main.c -o main.exe</code> Here's what the command means: <code>gcc</code> runs the compiler. <code>main.c</code> is your source file. <code>-o main.exe</code> tells GCC to name the output program <code>main.exe</code>. If compilation succeeds, GCC will usually return to the terminal without displaying an error message. You should now have a new file called <code>main.exe</code>.Step 2: Run the program If you're using Command Prompt, run:<code>main.exe</code> If you're using PowerShell, run:<code>.\main.exe</code> Your output should be:<code>Hello, World!</code> And there you go! You've written, compiled, and executed your first C program. Congratulations. You've made your computer display two words and a comma. Microsoft might not hire you just yet, but everybody starts somewhere.5. What actually happens when we compile C code? Let's understand something important. When we write C code, we're writing source code that the processor cannot execute directly in its original form. The compiler toolchain processes the source code and produces a program for the target system. A typical GCC build involves several stages: Preprocessing Compilation Assembly Linking We'll explore these stages in more detail later. For now, remember this: C source code → Compiler toolchain → Executable program → Output Compiling is not simply changing the extension from <code>.c</code> to <code>.exe</code>. Renaming a file doesn't transform its contents. Otherwise, we could rename our exam paper to <code>full_marks.pdf</code> and become toppers overnight. Sadly, the education system hasn't implemented that feature.6. Common Windows problems and their solutionsProblem 1: GCC is not recognised Check that GCC is installed and that the correct folder is in PATH. For the default MSYS2 UCRT64 installation, that folder is: <code>C:\msys64\ucrt64\bin</code> Open a new terminal after changing PATH.

Problem 2: The compiler shows errors

Check your code for missing semicolons, misspelled function names, unmatched braces, or missing quotation marks. For example, this code is missing a semicolon:<code>printf("Hello, World!\n")</code> The correct version is:<code>printf("Hello, World!\n");</code> Read the compiler's error message carefully. It often gives you a useful starting point.Problem 3: The program compiles but doesn't run Check whether <code>main.exe</code> exists by running:<code>dir</code> Then run the correct filename. In Command Prompt:<code>main.exe</code> In PowerShell:<code>.\main.exe</code> Also make sure you're running the executable you just compiled, not an older version left over from a previous attempt.Problem 4: Nothing appears on the screen Check whether your program actually contains a <code>printf()</code> statement and whether you are running the correct executable. If compilation fails, an older executable might still exist. That can make it look as though your latest code worked when you're actually running yesterday's version. Always check for compiler errors before running the program.7. A quick look at Linux Our main focus is Windows, but here's the basic setup for Linux users. On Ubuntu, Debian, and Kali Linux, you can generally install GCC using:<code>sudo apt update
sudo apt install build-essential</code> Then check:<code>gcc --version</code> Create a file called <code>main.c</code> containing:<code>#include <stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
printf("Hello from GDR!\n");
return 0;
}</code> Compile it:<code>gcc main.c -o hello</code> Run it:<code>./hello</code> The output should be:<code>Hello from GDR!</code> Notice that we used <code>hello</code> without an extension. Linux executables do not generally require a <code>.exe</code> or <code>.out</code> extension. GCC may create a file named <code>a.out</code> when you don't specify an output filename, but you can choose your own name using <code>-o</code>. Windows and Linux also use different executable formats and system interfaces. A native executable built for one operating system does not automatically run as a native program on the other.8. Important corrections to my original video Since this tutorial updates my original setup video, here are the important clarifications. 1. The Windows installation method is older. The original video uses MinGW Installation Manager. For a fresh installation, this guide recommends MSYS2 with UCRT64 GCC. 2. Adding GCC to PATH does not install GCC. You must install the compiler first. PATH helps Windows locate it. 3. <code>gcc --version</code> is only the first check. Compiling and running a real program is a better test of the complete setup. 4. <code>return 0;</code> does not prevent all errors. It normally indicates successful termination when reached. It does not guarantee that your program is free from bugs. 5. Linux does not require <code>.out</code> for executables. The filename extension is not what makes a file executable. 6. Compiling is not renaming. The compiler toolchain processes your source code and builds a program for the target system. These corrections will help you follow the original video while learning the process accurately.9. Your first programming challenge Now let's see whether you can write a small program yourself. Your task is to display the following output:<code>Hello, World!
Hello from GDR!
I am learning C Programming.
My journey starts today!</code> Try writing the program before looking at the solution. Here's one possible answer:<code>#include <stdio.h>

int main(void)
{
printf("Hello, World!\n");
printf("Hello from GDR!\n");
printf("I am learning C Programming.\n");
printf("My journey starts today!\n");

return 0;
}</code> Compile and run it using the steps you learned above. If it works, excellent. If it doesn't, don't immediately copy someone else's code. Read the error, check your work, and try to understand what went wrong. Debugging is part of programming. It doesn't mean you're bad at it.