How to Use Winget Commands in Windows

Windows Package Manager, commonly known as Winget, is a powerful command-line tool that allows users to install, upgrade, configure, and manage applications on Windows systems quickly. If you’ve ever wished for a faster way to install software without manually downloading installers, Winget is your go-to tool.

A step-by-step guide to using Winget commands for installing, updating, and managing apps on Windows efficiently.

This guide will walk you through all essential Winget commands, usage tips, and examples to make your Windows software management easier.

What is Winget?

Winget is Microsoft’s official package manager for Windows. It functions similarly to package managers on Linux (like apt or yum), allowing you to:

• Install software from official sources.
• Update apps with a single command.
• Uninstall apps efficiently.
• Automate software setup using scripts.

Installing Winget

Winget comes pre-installed on Windows 10 (version 1809 and later) and Windows 11. To check if it’s installed, open Command Prompt or PowerShell and type:

winget --version

If installed, it will display the version number. If not, you can download it via the App Installer from the Microsoft Store.

Basic Winget Commands

Here’s an overview of the most common commands:

1. Searching for Packages

Before installing software, you can search for it:

winget search <package_name>

Example:

winget search chrome

This will list available Chrome packages.

2. Installing Packages

To install software, use:

winget install <package_name>

For exact matches or specific versions:

winget install Google.Chrome -e
winget install Google.Chrome --version 116.0

3. Upgrading Packages

Keep your apps updated with:

winget upgrade

Upgrade a specific app:

winget upgrade Google.Chrome

Upgrade all apps at once:

winget upgrade --all

4. Uninstalling Packages

Remove software easily:

winget uninstall <package_name>

Example:

winget uninstall Notepad++

5. Listing Installed Apps

View all installed apps on your system:

winget list

This shows app names, versions, and sources.

6. Pinning Packages

Prevent apps from being upgraded automatically:

winget pin add <package_name>
winget pin list
winget pin remove <package_name>

7. Managing Sources

Winget uses repositories (sources) for apps. Commands include:

winget source list      # List all sources
winget source add       # Add a new source
winget source update    # Update sources
winget source reset     # Reset sources to default
winget source remove    # Remove a source

8. Exporting & Importing Apps

For system migration or backup:

winget export apps.json     # Export installed apps
winget import apps.json     # Install apps from exported file

9. Advanced Options

• Silent Installation:

  winget install VLC --silent

• Interactive Installation:

  winget install VLC --interactive

• Specifying Scope:

  winget install VLC --scope machine  # for all users

Tips for Using Winget

1. Use Exact Names: Use -e for exact package matches to avoid installing the wrong software.
2. Automate Installations: Combine export/import commands to set up multiple machines.
3. Stay Updated: Regularly run winget upgrade --all to keep software secure.
4. Check Licenses: Use --accept-package-agreements and --accept-source-agreements for automated scripts.

Conclusion

Winget makes software management on Windows faster, more efficient, and scriptable. Whether you’re a developer, IT admin, or power user, mastering Winget commands saves time and simplifies your workflow.

With commands for installing, updating, uninstalling, and managing packages, Winget brings the power of Linux-style package management to Windows.

Example Quick Commands Summary

winget search <app>           # Find a package
winget install <app> -e       # Install exact match
winget upgrade --all           # Update all apps
winget uninstall <app>         # Remove an app
winget list                    # List installed apps
winget export apps.json        # Export installed apps
winget import apps.json        # Import apps from file