Qwen3 Install Locally with Ollama

Qwen3 Install Locally with Ollama

In this guide, I’ll show how to install Qwen 3 locally on a Windows 11 PC using Ollama. We’ll start by downloading and installing Ollama, confirm the installation, pull the Qwen 3 model, and run a quick check to make sure it responds.

The steps follow the same order as shown in the original walkthrough: find the official site, install Ollama, verify it in Command Prompt, open the models page, run the Qwen 3 command, wait for the download, and confirm the model works.

What Is This Qwen3?

The focus is installing Qwen 3 on a local Windows 11 machine with Ollama. Qwen 3 is presented on the Ollama models page as the latest generation in the Qwen series. Ollama is the tool we use to download and run the model with a simple command from the terminal.

You’ll see how to pull the 8B parameter variant of Qwen 3 (approximate download size: 5.2 GB) using a single command.

Overview of the Process

Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll do from start to finish.

Item Details
Platform Windows 11 (PC)
Tool Ollama (Windows installer from the official site)
Official Site https://ollama.com
Install Steps Download installer → Run .exe → Install Ollama
Verify Install Open Command Prompt and run an Ollama command
Model Qwen 3 (8B)
Download Size ~5.2 GB on first pull
Command to Run ollama run qwen3
Where to Find the Command Ollama Models page → Qwen 3 entry
Usage Run in Command Prompt, then enter a prompt

Key Features of This Setup

  • Local operation after the initial download: once the model is pulled, you can run it locally.
  • Simple installation flow: download a single installer, then use one command to run the model.
  • Direct access to the model command: the models page clearly shows the run command for Qwen 3.
  • Windows-friendly: the installer is a standard .exe and setup is guided.

How It Works

Ollama manages model downloads and runs models locally. When you type ollama run qwen3 for the first time, Ollama pulls the model files from its registry. The initial pull can take a while due to the 5.2 GB size. After the download completes, Ollama starts an interactive session where you can enter prompts.

Subsequent runs are faster because the model is already stored on your machine. You can open a new terminal and use the same command to start a new session.

How to Use Qwen 3 on Windows 11 with Ollama

Step 1: Download Ollama from the Official Site

  1. Open your web browser and go to Google.
  2. Search for “Ollama” and click the official result (ollama.com).
  3. On https://ollama.com, click Download.
  4. Choose the Windows download option. The .exe installer will download.

Notes:

  • Make sure you’re on the official site before downloading.
  • The file is a standard Windows installer.

Step 2: Install Ollama (Windows Installer)

  1. Once the download completes, right-click the .exe file and select Open.
  2. Follow the setup prompts and click Install.
  3. Wait for the installer to finish; this may take a moment.

When installation completes, keep the window open or close it. We’ll verify the installation next.

Step 3: Verify the Installation in Command Prompt

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
  3. In Command Prompt, type a basic Ollama command (for example: ollama) and press Enter.

If you see Ollama output (help text or usage information), the installation worked. If the command is not recognized, close and reopen Command Prompt, or restart your PC and try again.

Step 4: Open the Models Page and Find Qwen 3

  1. Go back to https://ollama.com.
  2. Click Models at the top to open the library.
  3. Find Qwen 3 and open its page.

On the Qwen 3 page, you’ll see a short description noting it as the latest generation in the Qwen series. The run command is shown there. For the 8B variant, the command is:

  • ollama run qwen3

The 8B model is about 5.2 GB to download on first run.

Step 5: Pull and Run Qwen 3 (8B)

  1. Copy the command from the Qwen 3 page or type it in Command Prompt:
    • ollama run qwen3
  2. Press Enter.

Ollama will start pulling the model files. Since the size is about 5.2 GB, the download may take some time depending on your internet speed and disk performance. Keep Command Prompt open during this process.

Step 6: Confirm It’s Working

When the download finishes, the model will start and you’ll be able to type a prompt. Enter a simple question to confirm you get a response. If you see a coherent reply, the model is installed and running locally.

To end the session, press Ctrl + C in Command Prompt.

Practical Notes and Tips

Installation and Verification

  • If Command Prompt doesn’t detect Ollama, close it and open it again.
  • If that doesn’t help, restart your PC to refresh environment variables.
  • Run Command Prompt as an administrator if you face permission prompts during installation.

Model Download and Storage

  • The first run pulls around 5.2 GB for Qwen 3 (8B). Allow enough disk space.
  • Interruptions can slow or fail the pull. Keep the window open until it completes.
  • Subsequent runs won’t download again unless there’s an update or the files were removed.

Running and Stopping Sessions

  • Start: ollama run qwen3
  • Stop: press Ctrl + C to exit the session.

How to Use the Setup

Use Command Prompt for these actions:

  • Start a session: ollama run qwen3
  • End a session: Ctrl + C

You can repeat the start command anytime. If you ever need to check the command again, open the Qwen 3 page in the Ollama models library.

FAQs

Do I need anything before starting?

  • A Windows 11 PC with internet access for the first download.
  • Administrative rights may be needed to run the installer.
  • At least 6–8 GB of free space is a safe target for the first pull and cache.

How long does the model download take?

The Qwen 3 (8B) pull is around 5.2 GB. Download time depends on your internet speed and disk performance. Keep the terminal open and wait for the process to complete.

What if Command Prompt doesn’t recognize “ollama”?

  • Close Command Prompt and open it again.
  • If that doesn’t help, restart the PC.
  • Reinstall Ollama if needed and ensure you downloaded it from the official site.

Where do I find the command for Qwen 3?

Go to https://ollama.com, click Models, open Qwen 3, and copy the shown command:

  • ollama run qwen3

Can I interrupt the download?

Interrupting can cause partial downloads and delays. It’s best to let the pull complete. If it stops, rerun the same command to continue or restart.

How do I start and stop the model?

  • Start: ollama run qwen3
  • Stop: press Ctrl + C

Does it work offline after the first download?

Yes. After the initial pull, you can run the model locally without an internet connection.

How do I remove or free space later?

You can remove models through Ollama commands. Refer to the Ollama documentation for the exact remove command and usage details.

What should I do if the window shows no progress?

  • Check your internet connection.
  • Wait a bit longer if the download just started.
  • Close and reopen Command Prompt, then run the command again.

Can I use PowerShell instead of Command Prompt?

Yes, you can open PowerShell and run the same command:

  • ollama run qwen3

Conclusion

Installing Qwen 3 locally on Windows 11 with Ollama is straightforward. Download and install Ollama from the official site, confirm it runs in Command Prompt, open the models page for Qwen 3, and execute ollama run qwen3. The first run pulls about 5.2 GB, then the model starts and you can begin prompting.

Once the model is on your machine, starting a session is quick and repeatable. This setup gives you a simple way to run Qwen 3 locally from your Windows PC.