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Windows Package Manager (WinGet)

The Windows Package Manager is a comprehensive package manager solution that consists of a command-line tool and set of services for installing applications on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
WinGet is the client for the Windows Package Manager service. Developers use WinGet to discover, install, upgrade, remove and configure applications on Windows devices.

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What is WinGet?

WinGet is designed to help you quickly and easily discover and install those packages that make your PC environment special. From one command, you can install your favorite packages: 
winget install <package>
The client is built around the concept of sources - sets of packages that provide the ability to discover and retrieve package metadata. WinGet comes with two default sources:

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Why Use WinGet?

Fast Installation

Install applications with a single command without navigating through installation wizards

Scriptable & Automatable

Automate software deployment across teams and machines with simple scripts

Version Control

Install specific versions of packages and manage upgrades with precision

Multiple Sources

Access packages from Microsoft Store, community repository, or configure your own private sources

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Key Features

Quickly search for packages across all configured sources: 
winget search "visual studio code"

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Installation Management

Install, upgrade, and uninstall applications: 
# Install a package
winget install Microsoft.PowerToys

# Upgrade all packages
winget upgrade --all

# Uninstall a package
winget uninstall Microsoft.PowerToys

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List Installed Applications

View all installed packages and check for available updates: 
winget list
winget upgrade

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Configuration Management

Customize WinGet behavior through a JSON settings file: 
winget settings

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Architecture

WinGet is distributed as part of the App Installer package from the Microsoft Store. The client:
  • Runs on Windows 10 1809 (build 17763) or later
  • Supports both user and administrator execution contexts
  • Integrates with Windows App Execution Aliases for seamless command-line access
  • Uses Delivery Optimization for efficient package downloads
Windows Server 2019 is not supported as the Microsoft Store is not available. Windows Server 2022 support is experimental and requires manual dependency installation.

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Group Policy Support

Organizations can configure WinGet behavior through Group Policy, including:
  • Source configuration and restrictions
  • Installation behavior policies
  • Telemetry settings
Check your current policy configuration: 
winget --info

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Privacy and Telemetry

The official WinGet client is instrumented to collect usage and diagnostic data to help Microsoft improve the product. The client respects machine-wide privacy settings:
  • Windows 11: Go to Start → Settings → Privacy & Security → Diagnostics & feedback → Diagnostic data and unselect Send optional diagnostic data
  • Windows 10: Go to Start → Settings → Privacy → Diagnostics & feedback, and select Required diagnostic data
You can also block telemetry explicitly using the settings file.
If you build WinGet from source yourself, instrumentation is not enabled and no data is sent to Microsoft.

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Next Steps

Installation

Install WinGet on your Windows system

Quick Start

Get started with your first WinGet commands

Commands Reference

Explore all available WinGet commands

Settings

Configure WinGet behavior and preferences

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Community and Support

This project welcomes contributions and suggestions. Most contributions require a Contributor License Agreement (CLA).

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