Initializing a Git Repository

The next step is to initialize a Git repository. To do this, we use Git Extensions which has been added to Windows Explorer context menu.

Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the directory where you wish to create your Git repository. The directory can be anywhere on your local hard drive. In the illustration below, we will create a new Git repository in the C:\Revsoft \Git_win10test3 directory.

These screen shots are for the Git Extensions client. Basic Git and other third party clients offer similar Windows Explorer options.

Figure 24 - Creating a new Git repository from Windows Explorer

Right click on the folder which will contain the Git repository and select GitExt Create new repository. The following screen will appear.

Figure 25 - Create a new repository

In the above example, Git will initialize an empty Git repository. Please ensure that you select “Personal repository” as the repository type. After you click the Initialize button your C:\Revsoft\Git_win10test3 directory will display the following message:

Figure 26 - Git repository initialization message

Figure 27 - Empty Git repository

The .git directory is maintained by the Git software and contains the Git database files. You do not need to edit or change any files in this directory. All configuration settings are handled by your chosen Git client software.

You now have an empty Git repository ready for use.