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standardhub/Git Initialization Error: "couldn't set 'HEAD'" on Windows

Last active October 17, 2025 06:45
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Revisions

  1. Standard Hub revised this gist Oct 17, 2025. 1 changed file with 13 additions and 12 deletions.
    25 changes: 13 additions & 12 deletions Git Initialization Error: "couldn't set 'HEAD'" on Windows
    View file
    Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
    @@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
    When attempting to initialize a new Git repository on my local machine, I encountered the following error:

    -----------------------------------
    | $ git init |
    | error: couldn't set 'HEAD' |
    -----------------------------------
    -----------------------------------
    | $ git init |
    | error: couldn't set 'HEAD' |
    -----------------------------------
    Git fails to create the .git/HEAD file during repository initialization. I have verified that I have full permissions in the target directory and that no existing .git folder or file lock is present. The issue persists even after cleaning the directory and retrying git init.

    I have confirmed that:
    - The target directory is writable.
    - There is no existing .git folder.
    - The folder is not synced or locked by services like OneDrive or Dropbox.

    Despite these checks, the error persists.
    ------------------------------------------
    | Environment Details: |
    | - Operating System: Windows 10 |
    | - Git Version: Git-2.51.0.2-64-bit |
    -------------------------------------------

    *** Despite these checks, the error persists. ***
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    | Environment Details: |
    | - Operating System: Windows 10 |
    | - Git Version: Git-2.51.0.2-64-bit(latest version) |
    -----------------------------------------------------------
    How to fix it?
  2. Standard Hub revised this gist Oct 17, 2025. 1 changed file with 16 additions and 7 deletions.
    23 changes: 16 additions & 7 deletions Git Initialization Error: "couldn't set 'HEAD'" on Windows
    View file
    Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
    @@ -1,10 +1,19 @@
    When attempting to initialize a new Git repository on my local machine, I encountered the following error:
    ```
    $ git init
    error: couldn't set 'HEAD'
    ```

    -----------------------------------
    | $ git init |
    | error: couldn't set 'HEAD' |
    -----------------------------------
    Git fails to create the .git/HEAD file during repository initialization. I have verified that I have full permissions in the target directory and that no existing .git folder or file lock is present. The issue persists even after cleaning the directory and retrying git init.
    I have confirmed that:
    - The target directory is writable.
    - There is no existing .git folder.
    - The folder is not synced or locked by services like OneDrive or Dropbox.

    Despite these checks, the error persists.
    ------------------------------------------
    | Environment Details: |
    | - Operating System: Windows 10 |
    | - Git Version: Git-2.51.0.2-64-bit |
    -------------------------------------------

    Environment Details:
    - Operating System: Windows 10
    - Git Version: Git-2.51.0.2-64-bit
  3. Standard Hub created this gist Oct 17, 2025.
    10 changes: 10 additions & 0 deletions Git Initialization Error: "couldn't set 'HEAD'" on Windows
    View file
    Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
    @@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
    When attempting to initialize a new Git repository on my local machine, I encountered the following error:
    ```
    $ git init
    error: couldn't set 'HEAD'
    ```
    Git fails to create the .git/HEAD file during repository initialization. I have verified that I have full permissions in the target directory and that no existing .git folder or file lock is present. The issue persists even after cleaning the directory and retrying git init.

    Environment Details:
    - Operating System: Windows 10
    - Git Version: Git-2.51.0.2-64-bit