When it comes to installing multiple Windows Apps, there is no easy way out. You will have to find, click on install, and then keep repeating until you had installed all the apps. Earlier this week, Microsoft announced Windows Package Manager. In simple words, a Package Manager automates the process of installation and saves a lot of time. However, there is no UI available, and that’s where Winstall comes into the picture. It is one of the first apps to utilize the Package Manager to help consumers bulk install apps and software on Windows 11/10.
Winstall is a GUI for Windows Package Manager
If you don’t already have Windows Package Manager, you can install it by downloading and installing the latest .appxbundle file from here.
Bulk install Windows apps with Winstall
Winstall is a website that can create a script based on app selection. When you run this script on Windows 10 PC, it will install all the apps you had selected on the website. While it lists some of the popular applications on the home page, you can search for an app. That said, it can only reveal apps that are available with the official repository for Windows Package Manager apps. The app displays the app name, developer name, and version of the app.
Once you have selected the apps, click on the generate script button. You will then be offered two options: download the BAT file or copy the script to the clipboard. If you choose later, you could run the script on the Command Prompt or PowerShell (Admin). If you download the BAT file, run it with admin privileges.
As of now, there are close to 240+ apps available on the list, which you can see in the “All Apps” section. To make sure its the same app, you can visit the website ore directly download the file by clicking on the Download App or Download EXE button. If you can’t see the app or if data looks stale, click on the Clear Cache button.
It somehow reminds me of a Windows Phone App—Reinstaller— which allowed anyone to bulk install apps by getting the list of apps I own from the Store. Something like that would be handy for Windows users, but since it is broadly dependent on the official Windows Package Manager, the chances are slim.
Winstall is an open source app, and if you want to contribute, you can always do so via GitHub.
Read: How to update installed programs at once using WINGET.
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