WinGet
Windows command-line tool for finding and installing software packages from a single command.microsoft/winget-cli
- Stars
- 26.6k
- Forks
- 1.8k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- C++
- Last update
- 7 days ago
- Type
- CLI
What it is
WinGet is the Windows Package Manager, a command-line tool (winget) that lets you search for and install apps from the Microsoft Store and a community repository using one command, such as winget install <package>. It also includes PowerShell cmdlets and a COM API so other programs and scripts can use it. The client ships inside the App Installer package on Windows.
- Install an app with winget install <package>
- Search for packages from the default sources
- Use Install-WinGetPackage and Update-WinGetPackage in PowerShell scripts
- List installed packages with Get-WinGetPackage
- Run Repair-WinGetPackageManager to fix a broken installation
Great for
- Windows users who want to install common apps from a terminal
- PowerShell users who want to script software installs and updates via the Microsoft.WinGet.Client module
- IT admins who need to control package sources, which the README notes Group Policy can configure
- Developers who want to automate setting up a Windows machine
Not ideal for
- Non-Windows users, since the client requires Windows 10 1809 or later, Windows 11, or Windows Server 2025
- Windows Server Core users, which the README says cannot run it
- Users who want a fully supported build from source, since the README says self-built clients are not yet fully supported
How to get it
- 1
Install with a package manager
You'll need: Windows 10 1809 (build 17763) or later, Windows 11, or Windows Server 2025
Install the PowerShell module
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.WinGet.Client - 2
Run it
- Install the client through the Microsoft Store App Installer package, which the README recommends
- Open a terminal and run winget --info to view any configured policies
- Search for a package with Find-WinGetPackage -Query "Visual Studio Code" in PowerShell, or install one with winget install <package>
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Run winget features to see experimental features after installing a Microsoft Store update
- Use the Microsoft.WinGet.Client PowerShell module for scripted installs and updates
- Use Repair-WinGetPackageManager with -IncludePrerelease to get development releases
- Consult the troubleshooting guide in the repository for common problems
Downloads
Strengths
- Comes from Microsoft and is MIT-licensed open source
- Gives one consistent command across many packages from two default sources
- Offers CLI, PowerShell, and COM interfaces for different workflows
Trade-offs
- Only works on Windows, and parts of it depend on newer Windows versions
- Some installers need administrator elevation, and the README warns about running it in an elevated prompt
- Default sources and telemetry are Microsoft-controlled; the README says the official client collects usage and error data
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| winget-cli (this) | 26.6k | CLI | beginner | 7 days ago | Windows users who want to install common apps from a terminal |
| UniGetUI | 26.8k | App | beginner | 4 days ago | Windows users who already use WinGet, Scoop or Chocolatey and want one place to manage them |
| terminal | 105k | App | beginner | 6 days ago | Windows users who work in the command line every day and want tabs and rich text |
| PowerShell | 56k | CLI | beginner | 5 days ago | Developers who script or automate tasks across Windows, Linux, and macOS |
| cmder | 27k | App | beginner | 11 days ago | Windows users who want a nicer, tabbed command-line window |
| N_m3u8DL-CLI | 16.2k | CLI | intermediate | 3.4 years ago | Windows users who want a scriptable command-line m3u8 downloader |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.