If you've ever envied Linux users with their convenient package managers that install programs with a single command, we have good news for you. Windows 10 now has its own built-in tool for this — Winget. Essentially, it's a command line that allows you to quickly find, install, and update applications without opening a browser or visiting dozens of websites.
Imagine that you need to install a messenger or media player. Instead of searching for it on Google, downloading the installer, and manually clicking “Next,” you can simply open the terminal and install the desired program with one short command. Winget will find the latest version in its catalog and do all the routine work for you.
In this article, we'll look at how to activate this tool on your system, how to use it to install and update programs, and how to search for the software you need. You'll see that managing applications in Windows can be just as simple and effective.
In Windows 10, the Winget package manager allows you to install and manage programs directly from the command line, just like in Linux. It is already built into new versions of the system, and to start using it, just open the command line or PowerShell and enter simple commands — for example, “winget install program_name.” This is a quick way to install software without having to go to websites, check versions, and download installers manually. Winget supports searching, updating, and removing programs, making application management easier and more convenient.
What is the Windows Package Manager?
Package managers are common in Linux. Instead of searching for an application on the Internet, downloading the installer, and clicking buttons in the installation wizard, you can simply run a quick command to search for and install the application by name.
For example, to install a torrent client, you can open a terminal window and run “winget install qBittorrent.” The command will automatically find, download, and install the software without any additional action on your part. It's that simple.
Under the hood, Microsoft hosts its own software repository, and other organizations and individuals can host their own repositories. This is an important feature that improves productivity, especially for developers and system administrators.
Right now, this tool is intended for developers, but Microsoft or enthusiasts may one day create a simple graphical tool that will quickly find and install applications. It may be similar to the Windows Store, but with access to a whole universe of classic Windows programs that people actually use. In other words, it's like Chocolatey, but built into Windows.
For more information about how Windows Packet Manager works and how Microsoft sees the future of packet management in Windows, see the official documentation Windows Package Manager. Windows Package Manager is an open source project available on GitHub.
Install the winget client in Windows 10
If you are using Windows 10 21H1, there is a chance that the client is already available. You can check this by running “winget” in the command line or PowerShell. In addition, there are currently several ways to get it:
Method 1:
Install the update for Windows Package Manager – application installer package from the Microsoft Store.
Method 2:
Download Windows Package Manager .appxbundle from GitHub. Install it by double-clicking the file and clicking “Update”. You will have to install future updates manually from the same download page, but you will be using the stable version of Windows 10.
Method 3:
You can alsobuild the client yourself.Although it should be fully functional, Microsoft is not yet ready to provide full support to customers operating outside of official distribution mechanisms. Feel free to submit an issue, but be aware that it may receive a lower priority.
In the future, none of this will be necessary, and winget will be built into all stable versions of Windows 10. As of today, Microsoft is testing it and fixing bugs.
How to use winget, the Windows package manager.
You can run winget from Windows PowerShell, or from the classic Command prompt. We recommend installing the new windows terminal, if you haven't already.
From the command prompt, run the command: winget -help, to view additional information about using the tool.
To find the app, run the following command, replacing “name” search phrase:
To install the app, run the following command, replacing “name” on the name of the application or id:
To view additional information about the application, run the following command, replacing “name” by application name or search phrase:
To view the full list of available applications, run the following command:
A small part of the list of programs in the screenshot below:
You can immediately install a group of programs you need by simply creating a PowerShell script *.ps1 or *.bat file and add to it id programs.
As you can see, Winget is a truly powerful and convenient tool that can permanently change your approach to installing programs. Instead of manually searching for installers in your browser, you can manage everything directly from the command line. This is not only faster but also more reliable, as you always get software from official sources.
Don't be afraid of the command line if you're not familiar with it. It may seem unfamiliar at first, but after a few successful operations, you'll appreciate the speed and efficiency of this method. Winget greatly simplifies both the initial setup of a new system and the regular updating of already installed applications.
Use the `winget search` command often to discover new programs, and `winget upgrade –all` to keep all your software up to date. Over time, these commands will become as familiar a part of using your computer as any other everyday action. Once you master Winget, you'll take a big step forward in working efficiently with Windows.
