Learn how to use Winget, the secret software installer on your Windows PC, to install and update your favorite Windows apps with ease.
If you are a Windows user, you probably know the hassle of installing and updating software on your PC. You have to visit different websites, download the installers, click through the setup wizards, and sometimes deal with unwanted adware or junkware. And when you want to update your software, you have to repeat the same process for each app.
But what if there was a better way? A way to install and update almost any Windows app with a single command, without any clicking or junkware. A way to quickly set up a new PC with all your favorite apps in one go. A way to keep your software up to date with minimal effort.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not. Microsoft has built a secret software installer on your Windows PC that can do all these things and more. It’s called Winget, and it’s the Windows Package Manager. In this article, we will show you how to use Winget to install and update Windows apps with ease. We will also show you how to give Winget a nice graphical interface to make it more user-friendly.
Table of Contents
What is Winget and How Does It Work?
Winget is the Windows Package Manager. It’s a command-line tool that lets you install and update Windows apps from a large database of software maintained by Microsoft. Winget works by downloading the latest version of the app from the official website of the developer and installing it silently, without any user interaction. Winget also automatically declines any adware or junkware that might be included in the software installers.
Winget is similar to package managers on Linux, such as apt or yum. It’s also an official, Microsoft-supported alternative to popular tools like Chocolatey or Ninite. Winget is available on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it’s already installed on your PC. You just need to open a command prompt or a PowerShell window and type winget to start using it.
Find out which apps are supported by Winget
Winget supports a large number of Windows apps, but not all of them. To find out which apps are supported by Winget, you can use the winget search command. For example, to search for apps related to video editing, you can type:
winget search video editingWinget will show you a list of apps that match your search query, along with their names, versions, and descriptions. You can also use the winget show command to get more details about a specific app. For example, to get more details about Adobe Premiere Pro, you can type:
winget show Adobe.Premiere.ProWinget will show you the app name, version, publisher, description, homepage, license, installer type, download URL, and more.
Alternatively, you can use a graphical tool like AppGet UI to browse and search for apps supported by Winget. AppGet UI shows you a list of all the apps available in the Winget database, along with their icons, descriptions, and ratings. You can search for apps by name, category, or tag, and sort them by popularity, name, or rating.
Install Apps with Winget
To install an app with Winget, you just need to know its name. For example, to install Mozilla Firefox, you can type:
winget install firefoxWinget will search for the app in its database and install it for you. You don’t need to specify the version number or the download link. Winget will always install the latest version of the app from the official source.
You can also install multiple apps at once by separating their names with commas. For example, to install Firefox, Steam, and VLC Media Player, you can type:
winget install firefox, steam, vlcWinget will install the apps one by one, in the order you specified. You can also use the –silent flag to suppress any output from the installers, making the installation process even faster and smoother.
Update Apps with Winget
To update an app with Winget, you can use the same command as for installing, but with the –upgrade flag. For example, to update Firefox, you can type:
winget upgrade firefox
Winget will check if there is a newer version of the app available and install it for you. You can also use the –all flag to update all the apps that have updates available. For example, to update all your apps, you can type:
winget upgrade --allWinget will scan your PC for installed apps and compare them with the latest versions in its database. It will then update the apps that need updating, one by one.
Uninstall apps with Winget
Winget can also uninstall apps from your PC, using the winget uninstall command. For example, to uninstall Firefox, you can type:
winget uninstall firefoxWinget will search for the app on your PC and uninstall it for you. You can also uninstall multiple apps at once by separating their names with commas. For example, to uninstall Firefox, Steam, and VLC Media Player, you can type:
winget uninstall firefox, steam, vlcWinget will uninstall the apps one by one, in the order you specified.
Graphical Interface for Winget
Winget is a powerful and convenient tool, but some users might prefer a graphical interface over a command-line interface. Fortunately, there are some third-party tools that can provide a graphical interface for Winget, making it easier to browse, install, and update apps.
One of these tools is WingetUI which offers a more accessible graphical user interface (GUI) for Winget, as well as similar package managers like Chocolatey.
The key features of WingetUI include:
- Discover Packages: Easily browse and install applications by searching a database of available software. For example, search for “Firefox” or “Steam” to find and install those programs. Right-click a search result to see additional details.
- Software Updates: Scan your system and update outdated applications with one click. WingetUI centralizes updates for easier security patch management.
- Installed Packages: View currently installed software and where it originated from. If an application lists “Winget” as the source, WingetUI can update it even if the program was downloaded from another website initially.
Users can also export selected applications to a file, then import that file on another device to bulk install all their preferred software automatically. This streamlines setting up new devices with your customized app suite.
WingetUI has Chocolatey support enabled by default to surface more available applications. However, this can be disabled in settings to simplify results if desired.
Additionally, WingetUI runs in the system tray and proactively notifies you of ready application updates. This consolidates update alerts and helps prevent neglected patches that could pose security risks over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: What are the benefits of using Winget?
Answer: Winget has several benefits over the traditional way of installing and updating Windows apps. Some of these benefits are:
- Winget saves you time and effort by installing and updating apps with a single command, without any clicking or junkware.
- Winget keeps your software up to date by always installing the latest version of the app from the official source.
- Winget lets you install and update multiple apps at once, making it easy to set up a new PC or keep your existing PC in good shape.
- Winget has a large database of software, covering most of the popular and useful Windows apps.
- Winget is an official, Microsoft-supported tool, which means it is reliable, secure, and compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Summary
Winget is the secret software installer on your Windows PC that lets you install and update Windows apps with ease. Winget is a command-line tool that downloads and installs the latest version of the app from the official website, without any clicking or junkware. Winget also lets you install and update multiple apps at once, making it easy to set up a new PC or keep your existing PC in good shape. Winget is available on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, and it’s already installed on your PC. You just need to open a command prompt or a PowerShell window and type winget to start using it.
You can also give Winget a graphical interface with a third-party tool like AppGet UI, which lets you browse, install, and update apps with a simple and elegant interface. AppGet UI also lets you create and manage custom app lists, which are collections of apps that you can install or update with a single click.
Winget is a powerful and convenient tool that can save you time and effort when installing and updating Windows apps. If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a try and see how it can improve your Windows experience.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and the publisher are not affiliated with Microsoft or any of the software mentioned in this article. Use Winget and WingetUI at your own risk and discretion.