Windows Package Manager: Install Programs Guide

This guide shows you how to use the Windows Package Manager (winget) to install, update, and remove software from the command line. You’ll learn the essential commands, how to search for packages, and how to handle common issues—saving you from hunting through download pages and installers.

What You’ll Need

• Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11
• An internet connection
• Basic comfort with the Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Windows Terminal

If you don’t have winget yet, install it from the Microsoft Store by searching for “App Installer” and updating it. On most recent systems, it’s already present.

Step-by-Step

1. Open a command-line interface. Press Win + X and select “Terminal” or “PowerShell” (Admin). For most installs, admin isn’t required, but some programs need it.
2. Check winget is available. Type winget --version and press Enter. If you see a version number, you’re ready. If not, install the App Installer from the Store.
3. Search for a program. Use winget search <name> (e.g., winget search vlc). This lists matching packages with their ID, version, and source. Note the exact ID (e.g., VideoLAN.VLC) for the next step.
4. Install a program. Run winget install <ID> (e.g., winget install VideoLAN.VLC). Winget downloads and runs the official installer, often silently. Wait for the progress bar to complete.
5. Install with a specific version. If you need an older version, use winget install <ID> --version <version>. Check available versions with winget show <ID>.
6. Install multiple programs at once. You can chain IDs: winget install 7zip.7zip Notepad++.Notepad++. This is handy for setting up a new PC.
7. Update all programs. Run winget upgrade --all to update every package that has a newer version. Be patient; this can take a while.
8. Uninstall a program. Use winget uninstall <ID> (e.g., winget uninstall VideoLAN.VLC). This runs the uninstaller.
9. List installed packages. Run winget list to see everything winget manages, along with versions.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong name. Search first—don’t guess the ID. winget install vlc might fail; use winget search vlc to get the correct ID.
• Forgetting admin rights. Some installers need elevation. If you get an error about permissions, close and reopen your terminal as administrator.
• Assuming every program is in winget. The repository is large but not exhaustive. If search returns nothing, the program isn’t available—you’ll need to download it manually.
• Not accepting source agreements. On first use, winget may ask you to agree to the Microsoft Store source terms. Run winget --accept-source-agreements to pre-accept.

Tips

• Use the exact ID. It’s unique and avoids ambiguity. Copy it from the search results.
• Silent installs. Most packages install without prompts, but if you want to force quiet mode, add --silent (not all installers support it).
• Export your list. Run winget export -o apps.json to save installed packages. On a new PC, use winget import -i apps.json to reinstall them.
• Check for updates regularly. Use winget upgrade (without –all) to see what’s outdated before updating.
• Use the help. winget --help shows all commands and options. For a specific command, use winget install --help.

Troubleshooting

• “No package found matching input patterns.” You mistyped the ID or the program isn’t in the repo. Double-check with winget search.
• Install fails with a download error. Your internet connection may be unstable, or the server is slow. Try again after a few minutes. If it persists, run winget install <ID> --verbose to see detailed logs.
• Installer crashes or doesn’t launch. Some installers are not fully compatible with silent mode. Try winget install <ID> --interactive to see the installer UI.
• Winget says “App Installer is not installed.” Update the App Installer from the Microsoft Store. If that fails, download the latest .msixbundle from the Microsoft Store website.
• “The term ‘winget’ is not recognized.” Winget isn’t in your PATH. Reinstall App Installer or restart your terminal. If it’s still missing, open PowerShell and run Add-AppxPackage -Path <path-to-appx> after downloading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is winget safe to use?

Yes, winget pulls installers from official sources (like the publisher’s site or the Microsoft Store) and verifies hashes when available. It’s the same files you’d download manually.

Can I install software for all users?

Yes, but you’ll need to run your terminal as administrator. Use winget install <ID> --scope machine to install for all users (if the package supports it).

How do I find the exact package ID?

Run winget search <name> and look at the “Id” column. It’s usually in the format Publisher.Software.

Does winget update all my apps automatically?

No, but you can schedule a task to run winget upgrade --all or use the --all flag manually. There’s no built-in auto-update.

What if a program isn’t in winget?

You’ll need to install it manually. You can also request it on the winget-pkgs GitHub repository, but that’s a community effort.

Can I use winget to install portable apps?

Some packages are portable, but most install traditionally. Check the package description with winget show <ID> to see if it’s marked as portable.

Related

• See Wi-Fi Passwords in Windows 11
• Verification vs Validation: Assess Software Evidence
• Enable or Disable Location Services in Windows 10