Raj, I am having the same problem with Win 10. I have tried all manner of directory structures and an error exists every time. ??? I have followed Rui’s procedure to the letter – puzzled!

I ran into a similar problem (I think) on osx, solved by removing other esp32 libraries (arduino-esp32, which was probably the same library without the renaming that Rui suggests, and Pumbaa), once I removed both of those and re-installed using Rui’s instructions it was fine.
One minor problem: I had to use ‘python3 get.py’, not ‘python get.py’.
David
 

I am having the same problem with windows 10.. 
I have entered the source and target directories in the GitGui Clone Directory page exactly as shown in the module.
when I press clone I get the message ”Can’t create directory  C:/Program files(x86)/Arduino/hardware/espressif/esp32” : permission denied
If I create the folders in file Explorer beforehand I get ” C:/Program files(x86)/Arduino/hardware/espressif/esp32” already exists.
The Arduino folder appears to be read only but no matter how I try to change it in Properties it remains stubbornly read only. I have even tried to change the permissions in DOS using a icacls command but with no success.
This definitely appears to be a Windows  issue with permissions but I am now hopelessly stuck and cannot continue with the course.

Hi everyone. I think this is the same problem for Rajeev, Ian and Peter.
Can you guys make sure you have those two folders completely deleted from your computer espressif/esp32?
Those folders must be deleted before you open the GIT GUI software.
After you delete those folders, open GIT GUI 

• Source Location: https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32.git
• ENTER THE Target Directory Manually (do not create the espressif/esp32 folders): Your_Arduino_IDE_Folder_Path/hardware/espressif/esp32 (in my case, it looks like: C:/Users/ruisantos/Documents/Arduino/hardware/espressif/esp32)
• Press the “Clone” button

4) Wait a few seconds while the repository is being cloned:

5) Open the folder: Your_Arduino_IDE_Folder_Path/hardware/espressif/esp32/tools
6) Run the “get.exe” file

 

Peter Wood, I think this will solve your problem (also follow what I said in my previous comment).
But open your Git GUI with administrator permissions. Search for Git GUI, right-click, and select “Run as administrator”. 

This should allow you to add files to that path.

Rui.
Many thanks. Instantly solved 24 hrs of head scratching.
On with the adventure.
Peter

I’m glad it worked for you Peter!

Rui
Having got Gui to clone successfully, as I thought, now whenever I try to compile a sketch I get the  following error message
exec: “C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Arduino\\hardware\\espressif\\esp32/tools/xtensa-esp32-elf/bin/xtensa-esp32-elf-g++”: file does not exist
Indeed when I check the file structure in explorer the file is missing.
I am pretty sure it is something to do with Windows Defender in Windows 10 but cannot work out how to turn it off .
Any ideas
Peter

But does it compile the code anyway? Or does it stop the compiling process?
My Arduino IDE gives me a lot of warnings a “missing libraries”, but it works just fine… 

I found that Windows Defender was not allowing GIT to create files. I turned off that protection (Controlled Folder Access – Off) in the windows Defender settings, and things started working

I tried disabling both Windows Defender and Malwarebytes with no success.. Searching Google I found many people had encountered the same problem of the missing xtensa-esp32-elf-g++ file. 
Amongst the responses I found the clue! As with Git Gui the get.exe application has to be run in Administrator mode. The missing files appeared in the file directory and the ESP sketch compiled with no errors.
Rui. If you are going to modify the instructions for installing ESP32 in Windows to cover the run in Administrator Mode you might add that Get..exe  needs to be run in the same mode.
Peter

Re: Running get.exe in administrator, (good spot Peter!) I have finally got the ESP32 recognised in the Boards Manager. My Problem is identifying the board I have purchased from Amazon.

(Sold by MakerHawk) It has 38 pins and has “G00UUU-ESP32” silk screened on the underside.

“compiled output removed due to length”

Latest:

esptool.py v2.3.1
Connecting…….._____….._____….._____….._____….._____….._____….._____….._____….._____….._____

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header
A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header

I am sure the proceadure is correct and I too have started from scratch.

One quick question guys – When you plug in the ESP32, does Windows start the add device drivers cycle. Mine doesn’t….. Tried to add manually, it is simply not recognised!

I think its a dud!

Ian

Hi Ian,
I’ll be updating the instructions to advise to use the latest version of the Arduino IDE and run everything as an administrator. Thanks for your feedback. Since I was able to install on multiple computers without running as an admin, I didn’t think this would be a common problem.
Which board are you selecting in the boards manager? Can you try with the “NodeMCU-32S”?
 

I can confirm, running git (I use their desktop gui version).. And running get, both as admin, as mentioned above, works great.
 
I fought it in windows for 2 days, when I saw this thread, I deleted everything, started over, & all works fine.
 
Also… I ordered a ESP32 board on ebay.. Picture showed a doit board, but was a different board when I got it. I was disappointed, but on further examination.. The pin outs are the same as the doit board, & it works great when I choose doit, in the anduino IDE.
Jake

Rui, Tried with NodeMCU-32S. Still no joy. Thanks for all your advice, I am confident the IDE is set up correctly, otherwise the errors would be at the compiling stage. I am going to order another one, and re-join the course soon.
Ian

Exactly Ian, if it was a problem with the installation, you wouldn’t be able to compile.
I would probably try to upload using different ESP32 boards (for example the ESP32 Dev Module option) or something. Change the baud rate upload frequency, because you should definitely be able to upload code to that board…