- At this point R is ready, but you haven’t installed any packages or written scripts yet. You can start exploring by typing `?stats` or installing packages with `install.packages("tidyverse")`.

Step‑by‑Step Guide to Installing R on Windows 64‑bit

Rising Scholars

Jan 21, 2026

•

3 min read

YouTube video ID: tW8IHU9KO0E

Source: YouTube video by Rising Scholars — Watch original video

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Introduction

This article walks you through the entire process of downloading and installing the R statistical software on a Windows 64‑bit computer. By following the steps you won’t need to watch the original video.

1. Open the CRAN Download Page

Open your web browser and go to https://cran.r‑project.org (the official CRAN site).
You will see a page that lists download options for different operating systems.

2. Choose the Windows Installer

Linux → first link (not needed for Windows).
macOS → second link (not needed for Windows).
Windows → third link – click this for Windows users.

3. Navigate to the Windows Installation Page

After clicking the Windows link you are taken to a page titled “Install R for the first time.”
Click the highlighted button to proceed to the actual download page.

4. Download R 4.3.0 (64‑bit)

The page shows R‑4.3.0‑win.exe, about 75 MB.
Click the link; the download starts automatically and the file appears on your desktop (or default download folder).

5. Run the Installer

Locate the file – double‑click R‑4.3.0‑win.exe on your desktop.
Language selection – choose English (or your preferred language) and click Next.
License information – read the public‑license notice if you wish, then click Next.
Installation folder – default is C:\Program Files\R. You can keep the default and click Next.
Component selection – three options are pre‑checked (R core, documentation, etc.). Keep them and click Next.
Startup options – you can accept the defaults; no custom startup menu is required. Click Next.
Start‑menu folder – you may leave the box unchecked if you don’t need a start‑menu entry. Click Next.
Desktop shortcut – creating a desktop shortcut is recommended for easy access. Click Next.
Begin installation – the installer copies files; this takes a few moments.
Finish – when the wizard reports Completed, click Finish to exit.

6. Verify the Installation

A shortcut named R x64 4.3 should now appear on your desktop.
Double‑click the shortcut; the R console opens, confirming a successful install.

7. What to Do Next?

At this point R is ready, but you haven’t installed any packages or written scripts yet. You can start exploring by typing ?stats or installing packages with install.packages("tidyverse").

Troubleshooting Tips

Download failed – check your internet connection or try a different browser.
Installation blocked – run the installer as Administrator (right‑click → Run as administrator).
Missing shortcut – you can always create a manual shortcut to C:\Program Files\R\R‑4.3.0\bin\Rgui.exe.

Conclusion

Installing R on a Windows 64‑bit system is a quick, nine‑click process: visit CRAN, select the Windows installer, download the 75 MB executable, run the wizard, accept the defaults, and you’re ready to start coding in R.

Installing R on Windows is straightforward—just follow the nine‑step wizard from the CRAN website and you’ll have a fully functional R environment ready for data analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Rising Scholars on YouTube?

Rising Scholars is a YouTube channel that publishes videos on a range of topics. Browse more summaries from this channel below.

Does this page include the full transcript of the video?

Yes, the full transcript for this video is available on this page. Click 'Show transcript' in the sidebar to read it.

Helpful resources related to this video

If you want to practice or explore the concepts discussed in the video, these commonly used tools may help.

R For Data Science Book Recommended

Provides a practical, hands‑on introduction to using R for data analysis, perfect for beginners who have just installed R

Amazon →

The Art Of R Programming Paperback

Covers core R programming concepts and techniques, helping new users deepen their understanding after installation

Amazon →

R Cookbook Paperback

Offers ready‑to‑use recipes for common data tasks in R, ideal for quickly applying what you learn post‑install

Amazon →

Links may be affiliate links. We only include resources that are genuinely relevant to the topic.

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Full Transcript YouTube

So for R you come to this website here, the crane.arrow-project.org.
So once you come to this website, you're going to have a page like this.
So the installation will be based on what operating system you're using.
If you're using the Linux, then you're going to click the first one.
If you're using the Mac OX, you're going to click the second one.
If you're going, if you're using Windows, you're going to click the third one.
So for my own system, it's a Windows 64 beef.
So I'm going to click the third one.
So once I'm here, it just directs me to this place, install R for the first time.
So I'm going to click this.
So once you click this, it brings you to this page.
So it says download R version 4.3.0 for Windows, 759 megabytes and 64 bits.
That's a small file.
So if I want to download right now, I'm going to click this.
So the moment I click this, the downloads just starts.
Okay.
So I already have the download on my desktop for R.
So we're going to go to my desktop now.
So this is the download for the R
So going to double click on it and the download process will begin.
So I say yes.
English.
If you're using any other language, you can choose, but for me it's English.
Okay.
Then these are the public licence
information.
You can read through.
You have the time.
When you're done, next.
Then another next, because it's telling you where it's going to install the R.
For my own, it's going to install it in a folder called R
inside my program file in drive C.
So I click next.
So sometimes it may be helpful to know where it's installing the R.
So next, then these three are checked by default, so you can just leave it that way.
So please specify yes or no, then you click.
That's if you need a startup option.
All right, so for me, accept default.
No need customizing startup.
Next.
And it's telling you this is the R folder where everything will go to.
Then if you don't need it to create a startup menu folder, which I don't really think,
you need to not check this, because you would probably need a start menu folder.
So just ignore this and just say next.
And these are defaults, so you can just leave it this way and say next.
But if you can check this, if you wanted to create a quick launch shortcut, you know,
But creating a desktop shortcut is good enough.
As long as it's here, we can easily click on it to open our R.
So you say next and the installation has begun.
Okay, and that is it.
Completed.
Simple as that.
So click finish to exit.
That's it.
So this is your R.
So reading your desktop, see?
the arrow works okay.
So that is it.
So save works, you have not really done anything, so you can just say no.