Windows Package Manager

Official open-source package manager for Windows 10/11

Windows Package Manager

Developer(s)| Microsoft
Initial release| May 13, 2020; 3 years ago (2020-05-13)
Stable release|

1.6.2771[1] (5 October 2023; 5 months ago (5 October 2023))

Preview release| 1.7.3172 (November 14, 2023; 3 months ago (2023-11-14)[2]) [±]
Repository| github.com/microsoft/winget-cli
Written in| C++
Operating system| Windows 10 or later
Size| ~23 MB
Available in| Chinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and others
Type| Package manager
License| MIT License
Website| learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/

The Windows Package Manager (also known as winget) is a free and open-source package manager designed by Microsoft for Windows 10 and Windows 11. It consists of a command-line utility and a set of services for installing applications.[3][4] Independent software vendors can use it as a distribution channel for their software packages.

## History[edit]

Windows Package Manager was first announced at the Microsoft Build developer conference in May 2020.[5][4]

Before deciding to develop Windows Package Manager, the team behind it explored Chocolatey, Scoop, Ninite, AppGet, Npackd and the PowerShell-based OneGet.[4] After the announcement of winget, the developer of AppGet, Keivan Beigi, claimed that Microsoft interviewed him in December 2019 under the pretense of employment and acquiring AppGet.[6] After talking with Beigi, Microsoft allegedly ceased communication with him until confirming one day before the launch of winget that they would not be hiring him. Beigi was dismayed at Microsoft's lack of attribution of AppGet. The release of winget led Beigi to announce that AppGet would be discontinued in August 2020.[6][7][8] Microsoft responded with a blog post crediting a number of winget's features to AppGet.[9][10][11]

Microsoft released version 1.0 of Windows Package Manager on May 27, 2021. The Microsoft Community Repository included over 1,400 packages at that date.[12]

## Overview[edit]

The winget tool supports installers based on EXE, MSIX, and MSI.[13] The public Windows Package Manager Community repository hosts manifest files for supported applications in YAML format.[14] In September 2020, Microsoft added the ability to install applications from the Microsoft Store and a command auto-completion feature.[15]

To reduce the likelihood of non-Microsoft-approved software, including malicious software, making its way into the repository and onto the target machine, Windows Package Manager uses Microsoft SmartScreen, static analysis, SHA256 hash validation and other processes.[16][17]

The winget client source code and the community manifest repository are licensed under MIT License and hosted on GitHub.[18][14]

### Commands[13][edit]

Name  | Description

|

configure | Configures the system into a desired state
export | Exports a list of the installed applications
features | Show status of experimental features
hash | Hash installer files
import | Install all the applications in a file
install | Install the given application
list | Display installed applications
pin | Manage package upgrade pins
show | Show information about the given application
search | Search and show basic information of applications
settings | Open winget configuration settings
source | Manage application sources
upgrade | Upgrades the given application
uninstall | Uninstall the given application
validate | Validate a manifest file

## Example[edit]

The following example searches for and installs variable `$PKG_ID`.

winget install --id=$PKG_ID -e

### Package ID Examples[edit]

* Visual Studio Code, a code editor from Microsoft:[19] `Microsoft.VisualStudioCode`
* Google Chrome:[20] `Google.Chrome`
* Mozilla Firefox: `Mozilla.Firefox`
* Brave: `BraveSoftware.BraveBrowser`
* Vivaldi: `VivaldiTechnologies.Vivaldi`

## See also[edit]

* Free and open-source software portal

* Web Platform Installer
* NuGet
* Chocolatey
* Scoop Package Manager
* List of software package management systems
* vcpkg

## References[edit]

1. ^ "Windows Package Manager 1.6.2771".
2. ^ "preview · microsoft/winget-cli · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 2023-11-20.
3. ^ Tom Warren (20 May 2020). "Microsoft's new Windows Package Manager is already better than the Windows Store". The Verge.
4. ^ a b c Windows Package Manager Preview | Windows Command Line
5. ^ Microsoft debuts Windows Package Manager for your dev environment | VentureBeat
6. ^ a b Warren, Tom (28 May 2020). "Microsoft copied its new Windows Package Manager from rival AppGet, claims developer". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
7. ^ Anderson, Tim (May 28, 2020). "Embrace and kill? AppGet dev claims Microsoft reeled him in with talk of help and a job – then released remarkably similar package manager". The Register. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
8. ^ Stewart, Ashley (May 28, 2020). "A developer says Microsoft led him on about a job and buying his tool before going silent and releasing its own very similar service. Now he wants an explanation and credit for his work". Business Insider. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
9. ^ Tung, Liam (June 1, 2020). "Windows 10: Microsoft now credits maker of package manager it 'copied' – but offers no apology". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
10. ^ Microsoft gives AppGet creator credit for Windows Package Manager - Neowin
11. ^ Warren, Tom (April 20, 2022). "Microsoft finally gives AppGet developer the credit he deserves". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
12. ^ Anderson, Tim (May 27, 2021). "Microsoft releases command-line package manager for Windows (there are snags)". The Register. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
13. ^ a b "Use the winget tool to install and manage applications". Microsoft.
14. ^ a b GitHub - microsoft/winget-pkgs: The Microsoft community Windows Package Manager manifest repository
15. ^ Abrams, Lawrence (September 23, 2020). "Windows 10 Package Manager can now install Microsoft Store apps". Bleeping Computer. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
16. ^ Tung, Liam (May 21, 2020). "Microsoft's Windows Package Manager: This command-line tool can install all your apps". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
17. ^ How to Use Windows Package Manager - Petri
18. ^ "GitHub - microsoft/winget-cli: Windows Package Manager CLI (a.k.a. winget)". May 20, 2020 - via GitHub.
19. ^ "Winget PKG of Visual Studio Code" https://winget.run/pkg/Microsoft/VisualStudioCode
20. ^ "Winget PKG of Google Chrome" https://winget.run/pkg/Google/Chrome

## External links[edit]

* Windows Package Manager | Microsoft Docs
* winget-cli on GitHub
* winget-pkgs on GitHub
* WingetUI \- Community-made GUI for Winget

* v
* t
* e

Package managers (format)

Compiled

| Windows|

* Allmyapps
* Cygwin
* Microsoft Store
* Npackd
* NSIS
* NuGet
* Chocolatey
* ProGet
* Scoop
* Windows Package Manager
* wpkg

|

macOS|

* Mac App Store
* Homebrew
* pkgsrc
* Munki

Linux
Unix-like|

| dpkg|

* APT
* aptitude
* dselect
* Ubuntu Software Center

|

RPM|

* YUM
* DNF
* APT-RPM
* up2date
* urpmi
* ZYpp

tarball|

* slapt-get
* slackpkg
* netpkg
* swaret

Purely functional|

* Nix
* Guix

Other|

* AppImage
* Autopackage
* Flatpak
* Homebrew
* PackageKit
* pacman
* PBI
* PETget
* PISI
* Portage
* Snap
* Upkg
* pkgsrc

Solaris • illumos|

* IPS
* OpenCSW
* pkgsrc

z/OS|

* SMP/E

Embedded OS|

* ipkg
* opkg

Mobile OS|

* Amazon Appstore
* App Store
* Aptoide
* Cafe Bazaar
* Cydia
* F-Droid
* GetJar
* Google Play
* Huawei AppGallery
* Microsoft Store
* RPM
* SlideME
* Windows Phone Store

Gaming console|

* DSi Shop
* Nintendo eShop
* PlayStation Store
* Wii Shop Channel
* Xbox Games Store

Multi-platform|

* OpenPKG
* pkgsrc

Web browsers|

* Chrome Web Store
* Mozilla Add-ons

Uncompiled

| Linux|

* ABS
* apt-build
* Compile
* Portage
* Sorcery
* BitBake
* pkgsrc

|

macOS|

* Fink
* MacPorts
* pkgsrc

BSD|

* ports collection
* FreeBSD Ports
* pkgsrc

C++|

* Gradle
* vcpkg

Java|

* Maven
* Ivy
* Gradle

Python|

* PyPI
* pip
* easyinstall
* PyPM
* Anaconda
* Enthought Canopy

JavaScript|

* npm

.NET|

* NuGet

Perl|

* CPAN

Ruby|

* RubyGems

PHP|

* PEAR
* Composer

* List
* Category
* Commons

* v
* t
* e

Digital distribution platforms

* App store
* Cloud gaming
* Content delivery network
* Digital library
* Online game store
* Over-the-air update
* Package manager
* Software distribution
* Streaming media

Active|

| Personal
computers|

* Amazon Digital Game Store
* Battle.net
* Big Fish Games
* Chrome Web Store
* Digital River
* Direct2Drive
* Discord
* Discover
* DMM Games
* Epic Games Store
* GameHouse
* GamersGate
* Gamesplanet
* Game Jolt
* GNOME Software
* GOG.com
* Humble Store
* itch.io
* MacGameStore
* MacUpdate
* Mac App Store
* Microsoft Store
* MSN Games
* Origin
* Pogo.com
* Pokki
* PureOS Software Center
* Robot Cache
* Snap Store
* Steam
* Ubisoft Connect
* WeGame
* WildTangent

|

Consoles|

* Microsoft Store
* Nintendo eShop
* PlayStation Store
* Xbox Games Store

Mobile
apps|

* Amazon Appstore
* Apple App Store
* Appland
* Aptoide
* Cafe Bazaar
* Cydia
* F-Droid
* Galaxy Store
* GetJar
* Google Play
* Huawei AppGallery
* MiKandi
* OpenStore
* PureOS Software Center
* SlideME

Arcade|

* ALL.Net
* E-Amusement
* NESiCAxLive

Defunct|

* Allmyapps
* BlackBerry World
* Club Nokia
* Desura
* Download!
* GameAgent
* GameShadow
* GameTap
* Games for Windows Marketplace
* Handango
* Impulse
* Intel AppUp
* Kartridge
* Kazaa
* N-Gage
* Nokia Store
* Opera Mobile Store
* PlayNow Arena
* Stardock Central
* Triton
* Ubuntu App Store
* Ubuntu Software Center
* Vodafone live!
* Wii Shop Channel
* Windows Marketplace
* Windows Marketplace for Mobile
* Windows Phone Store
* Xbox Live Arcade
* Yahoo! Games
* Zune Marketplace

* Category
* Portal

* v
* t
* e

Microsoft free and open-source software (FOSS)

Overview|

* Microsoft and open source
* Shared Source Initiative

Software|

| Applications|

* 3D Movie Maker
* Atom
* Conference XP
* Family.Show
* File Manager
* Open Live Writer
* Microsoft PowerToys
* Terminal
* Windows Calculator
* Windows Console
* Windows Package Manager
* WorldWide Telescope
* XML Notepad

|

Video games|

* Allegiance

Programming
languages|

* Bosque
* C#
* Dafny
* F#
* F*
* GW-BASIC
* IronPython
* IronRuby
* Lean
* P
* Power Fx
* PowerShell
* Project Verona
* Q#
* R Open
* Small Basic Online
* TypeScript
* Visual Basic

Frameworks,
development tools|

* .NET
* .NET Bio
* .NET Framework
* .NET Gadgeteer
* .NET MAUI
* .NET Micro Framework
* AirSim
* ASP.NET
* ASP.NET AJAX
* ASP.NET Core
* ASP.NET MVC
* ASP.NET Razor
* ASP.NET Web Forms
* Avalonia
* Babylon.js
* BitFunnel
* Blazor
* C++/WinRT
* CCF
* ChakraCore
* CLR Profiler
* Dapr
* DeepSpeed
* DiskSpd
* Dryad
* Dynamic Language Runtime
* eBPF on Windows
* Electron
* Entity Framework
* Fluent Design System
* Fluid Framework
* Infer.NET
* LightGBM
* Managed Extensibility Framework
* Microsoft Automatic Graph Layout
* Microsoft C++ Standard Library
* Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit
* Microsoft Design Language
* Microsoft Detours
* Microsoft Enterprise Library
* Microsoft SEAL
* mimalloc
* Mixed Reality Toolkit
* ML.NET
* mod_mono
* Mono
* MonoDevelop
* MSBuild
* MsQuic
* Neural Network Intelligence
* npm
* NuGet
* OneFuzz
* Open Management Infrastructure
* Open Neural Network Exchange
* Open Service Mesh
* Open XML SDK
* Orleans
* Playwright
* ProcDump
* ProcMon
* Python Tools for Visual Studio
* R Tools for Visual Studio
* RecursiveExtractor
* Roslyn
* Sandcastle
* SignalR
* StyleCop
* SVNBridge
* T2 Temporal Prover
* Text Template Transformation Toolkit
* TLA+ Toolbox
* U-Prove
* vcpkg
* Virtual File System for Git
* Visual Studio Code
* Voldemort
* VoTT
* Vowpal Wabbit
* Windows App SDK
* Windows Communication Foundation
* Windows Driver Frameworks
* KMDF
* UMDF
* Windows Forms
* Windows Presentation Foundation
* Windows Template Library
* Windows UI Library
* WinJS
* WinObjC
* WiX
* XDP for Windows
* XSP
* xUnit.net
* Z3 Theorem Prover

Operating systems|

* MS-DOS (v1.25 & v2.0)
* Barrelfish
* SONiC
* Azure Linux

Other|

* ChronoZoom
* Extensible Storage Engine
* FlexWiki
* FourQ
* Gollum
* Project Mu
* ReactiveX
* SILK
* TLAPS
* TPM 2.0 Reference Implementation
* WikiBhasha

Licenses|

* Microsoft Public License
* Microsoft Reciprocal License

Forges|

* CodePlex
* GitHub

Related|

* .NET Foundation
* F# Software Foundation
* Microsoft Open Specification Promise
* Open Letter to Hobbyists
* Open Source Security Foundation
* Outercurve Foundation

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