Ollama, How to Install & Run LLM's on Windows in Minutes!

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through installing and running large language models (LLMs) using Ollama on Windows. By the end, you'll be able to run models like Llama2 locally, saving money on API calls and maintaining privacy. This is perfect for anyone new to Ollama, so let's get started!

Step 1: Download and Install Ollama

• Visit the Ollama website to download the application.
• Choose the Windows version for your system.
• Once the download is complete, run the installer and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
• Ensure Ollama is added to your system's PATH during installation for easy access via command line.

Step 2: Run Ollama

• Open the Command Prompt (search for "cmd" in the Start menu).
• Type ollama and hit Enter to launch the application.
• You should see a welcome message confirming that Ollama is installed and running correctly.

Step 3: Download a Model to Ollama

• In the Command Prompt, use the following command to download a model:

  ollama pull llama2
  

• Wait for the model to download; this may take a few moments depending on your internet speed.

Step 4: Run a Llama2 LLM Model on Ollama

• After the model is downloaded, you can run it with the following command:

  ollama run llama2
  

• This will start the Llama2 model, and you can interact with it directly through the command line.

Step 5: Explore Useful Ollama Commands

• Familiarize yourself with some useful commands for managing models:
  • To list all downloaded models:

    ollama list
    

  • To remove a model:

    ollama remove model_name
    

  • To get help with commands:

    ollama help
    

• These commands will help you navigate and manage your models effectively.

Conclusion

You have successfully installed Ollama and run the Llama2 model on your Windows machine. By using Ollama, you can experiment with LLMs privately and without the costs associated with online services. For further exploration, consider trying out different models available in the Ollama model database and dive deeper into the commands to enhance your experience. Happy modeling!