How to install gnu gettext (>0.15) on windows? So I can produce .po/.mo files in Django

Django removed this explanation from the recent docs and it took me some time to found it so i pasted it here before this old documentation goes offline:

Source: Django Docs 1.7

Download the following zip files from the GNOME servers

  • gettext-runtime-X.zip
  • gettext-tools-X.zip

X is the version number (It needs to be 0.15 or higher)

Extract the contents of the bin\ directories in both files to the same folder on your system (i.e. C:\Program Files\gettext-utils)

Update the system PATH:

Control Panel > System > Advanced > Environment Variables

In the System variables list, click Path, click Edit and then New. Add C:\Program Files\gettext-utils\bin value.

You may also use gettext binaries you have obtained elsewhere, so long as the xgettext --version command works properly. Do not attempt to use Django translation utilities with a gettext package if the command xgettext --version entered at a Windows command prompt causes a popup window saying “xgettext.exe has generated errors and will be closed by Windows”.

After doing this I tested and ./manage.py makemessages -l pt works


The easiest way is to download the precompiled binary installer. Download the "static" flavor of your Operating System (32bit or 64bit) and simple run the installer.

Update the system PATH:

Control Panel > System > Advanced > Environment Variables

In the System variables list, click Path, click Edit and then New. Add C:\Program Files\gettext-iconv\bin value.

To check if it's working, go to cmd, navigate to your project folder and type

"manage makemessages -l de".

You may have to configure the path to store translations. Create a dir named "locale" in your project dir and point to it at settings.py

Also make sure to set the local path in settings.py file:

LOCALE_PATHS = (
    BASE_DIR + 'locale/', )

I also had the same problem. After that I downloaded and installed this and everything worked.https://mlocati.github.io/articles/gettext-iconv-windows.html.