📦 Windows Package Manager (Winget)

Category: Microsoft Official Tools

Author: jmarket (PCHF Founder)

Verified by: PCHF Staff • October 2025

Overview

Windows Package Manager (Winget) is Microsoft’s official command-line utility for discovering, installing, upgrading, and managing applications on Windows.
It provides a unified package management experience similar to Linux package managers, enabling automation, bulk deployments, and consistent system provisioning using simple, scriptable commands.

Winget sources all packages from Microsoft’s curated community repository, ensuring safety, integrity, and digital signature verification.
It integrates natively with PowerShell, Command Prompt, and Windows Terminal, making it a vital tool for administrators and advanced users alike.

Key Features

• Unified Package Management: Install or upgrade software directly from Microsoft’s trusted repositories.


• Automation Support: Ideal for scripted deployments, configuration management, and provisioning new systems.


• Version Control: Install specific versions or automatically track the latest stable releases.


• JSON Manifest System: Package definitions include publisher, installer hash, version, and download URL for full transparency.


• Integration: Works seamlessly with PowerShell, CMD, and Windows Terminal.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 10 (version 1809 or later) or Windows 11


• Architecture: x64, ARM64


• Administrator privileges for system-wide installations


• Internet connection for repository access

Installation

1. Winget is preinstalled on Windows 11 and included in recent Windows 10 builds (via the App Installer package).


2. To manually install or update Winget, visit the Microsoft Store and search for App Installer, or download it directly from the official GitHub repository:
   
   https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli


3. After installation, open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and verify functionality with:
   
   

   
   	
   Code:
   	
   winget --version
   

Basic Commands

Commonly used Winget commands include:

	
Code:
	
winget search appname
winget install appname
winget upgrade appname
winget uninstall appname
winget list
winget upgrade --all

Example — installing Microsoft PowerToys:

	
Code:
	
winget install Microsoft.PowerToys

Example — upgrading all installed apps:

	
Code:
	
winget upgrade --all

Advanced Usage

• Export Installed Packages: Create a backup manifest of installed applications:
  

  
  	
  Code:
  	
  winget export -o apps.json
  



• Import Package List: Reinstall all apps on a new system:
  

  
  	
  Code:
  	
  winget import -i apps.json
  



• Specify Source Repository: Winget can use multiple repositories (e.g. msstore, winget):
  

  
  	
  Code:
  	
  winget source list
  



• View App Details:
  

  
  	
  Code:
  	
  winget show Microsoft.Edge
  

Winget Configuration (Preview Feature)

Winget supports configuration files for automated provisioning using YAML syntax:

	
Code:
	
# Example: winget configuration file
installers:
- packageIdentifier: Microsoft.PowerToys
- packageIdentifier: Mozilla.Firefox
- packageIdentifier: Notepad++.Notepad++

Notes

• All packages are verified and cryptographically hashed for integrity.


• Supports unattended installations and enterprise deployment automation.


• Winget is continuously updated via the Microsoft Store (App Installer).


• Fully open-source and available on GitHub under the MIT license.

Policy

PCHF references only official Microsoft channels.
Redistribution of Winget binaries or unofficial repositories is not permitted.
Always install Winget via the Microsoft Store or GitHub’s verified release page to ensure authenticity.

Download

Official Microsoft Winget GitHub Repository

Technical Information

• Publisher: Microsoft Corporation


• Version: 1.8.0 or later


• Release Date: October 2025


• License: Open Source (MIT License)

Related Articles

• Windows Terminal (Modern Command Line Interface)


• PowerToys (Productivity Utilities for Windows 11)


• Sysinternals Suite (Advanced System Utilities)


• Windows 11 Media Creation Tool (Official Microsoft Utility)

All content © 2025 PC Help Forum. Windows Package Manager (Winget) is developed and maintained by Microsoft Corporation.
All executables are digitally signed by Microsoft and distributed through the Microsoft Store and GitHub. Redistribution of modified binaries is prohibited.