Microsoft released an updated version of Windows Package Manager. The package manager is known to users as WINGET, and it’s available for both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Now, with the new release, Microsoft added the Microsoft Store as a source, which means, you can use winget to download apps from the Store. This might not be a big deal for some, but for those who enjoy using winget, it’s quite significant.
What is the WINGET tool?
The winget command-line tool allows developers to find, install, upgrade, remove and construct applications on Windows 11 and Windows 10 computers. This tool is the client user interface to the Windows Package Manager service. At the moment, the winget tool is currently a preview form, therefore, not all planned functionality is available for developers to use.
How to download WINGET for Windows 11
OK, so if you have not yet installed the latest version of winget, then we suggest visiting the project’s GitHub repository. Download the file, then install it to your computer, and from there, its time to get things done.
How to install WINGET on Windows 11/10
If you’re not interested in downloading the tool from GitHub, then the easiest way to do it is from the Microsoft Store. Visit this Windows App Installer link to download the Microsoft App Installer because winget is part of the package.
Related: Winget not recognized in Windows 11
How to use WINGET
After the installation is complete, you should fire up the Command Prompt by pressing the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, and from there, type CMD into the box. Hit enter and right away the Command Prompt will open.
Now, you will want to type the following command, to begin with:
Winget
You will now see a list of commands you can use, and they are as follows:
- Install: Installs the given package
- Show: Shows information about a package
- Source: Manage sources of packages
- Search: Find and show basic info of packages
- List: Display installed packages
- Upgrade: Upgrades the given package
- Uninstall: Uninstalls the given package
- Hash: Helper to hash installer files
- Validate: Validates a manifest file
- Settings: Open settings or set administrator settings
- Features: Shows the status of experimental features
- Export: Exports a list of the installed packages
- Import: Installs all the packages in a file
You will also see commands for checking the version of the tool among other things.
How to download Microsoft Store apps with WINGET
For you to download apps from the store via winget, you will need to know the name of the app. For example, if the name is Netflix, then you must type the following command in the Command Prompt:
winget search netflix
Press the Enter key to initiate the command, and then look out for the source agreements terms. Type Y to accept then hit Enter.
You should now see a list of apps with the name Netflix. Usually, the one at the top is the correct version.
Now, the next step is to type the following command and hit Enter when done
winget install Netflix
Bear in mind if the name has a space, then you’ll be required to use double quotations.
The installation should not take a long time to complete.
Once done, open the Start Menu and you will see your recently installed app via the Recommendation section.
Does the Microsoft Store use winget?
No, Microsoft Store doesn’t use winget to install apps. It uses App Installer to install all the apps and games on your Windows 11/10 PC. However, if you want to use winget to install apps on your computer, you can certainly do that. From Netflix to any other common apps, the repository is pretty big.
That’s all! Hope it helped.
Read: How to Export or Import Installed software list using WINGET.
