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How do I get Windows Package Manager?

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Prerequisites

1

Check Windows Version

WinGet requires Windows 10 version 1809 (October 2018 Update) or later.Check your version of Windows
2

Install App Installer

Install App Installer from the Microsoft Store. This is required to install MSIX packages on Windows 10.
Windows Package Manager is shipped with later versions of App Installer.

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Stable Releases

The first stable release was v1.0.11451. This release was not published as an automatic update to provide enterprise customers sufficient time to configure Group Policy. You can install the latest stable release directly from the GitHub repository. These packages are signed and will receive automatic updates if IT Policy does not block the Microsoft Store.

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Developer Releases (Pre-Release)

There is a known problem restoring the client to the latest stable App Installer release. Latest stable builds and instructions will be provided once available.
To receive pre-release builds:
  1. Sign up for the Windows Package Manager Insider program
  2. Wait for manual approval (may take a few days after email notification)
  3. Install any release including pre-release builds from GitHub
  • Insiders receive updates to the latest build (stable or pre-release) if IT Policy allows
  • Other customers only receive stable build updates
  • Only Windows Insider DEV channel receives pre-release builds after v1.0.11451

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Machine-wide Provisioning

To provision WinGet machine-wide or for each new user: 
Add-AppxProvisionedPackage -online `
  -PackagePath <desktop AppInstaller msixbundle package path> `
  -LicensePath <license path> `
  -DependencyPackagePath <Microsoft.VCLibs package path>
This depends on the Microsoft.VCLibs desktop framework package.
After provisioning, users need to log into their Windows account to register and use the package.

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Common Issues

If no output is displayed, your WinGet version may be using a retired Content Delivery Network (CDN).Check version:
winget --info
If version is lower than 1.6.3482, follow these steps:
1

Install Latest Version

Choose one method:
2

Force Source Update

winget source update
If problem persists, open an issue with your Windows and App Installer versions.
CMD Error:
The system cannot execute the specified program.
or
'winget' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.
PowerShell Error:
winget : The term 'winget' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.

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Troubleshooting Steps

1

Check App Installer Version

Verify App Installer version is greater than 1.11.11451:
Get-AppxPackage microsoft.desktopappinstaller
2

Enable App Execution Alias

Go to Settings → Apps & features → App execution aliases and enable the Windows Package Manager alias.
3

Add PATH Environment Variable

Add %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps to PATH.Verify by running:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\winget
or in PowerShell:
& "$env:LOCALAPPDATA\Microsoft\WindowsApps\winget"
4

Re-register App Installer (if on different user account)

Get the PackageFullName:
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller | Select Name, PackageFullName
Re-register the package:
Add-AppxPackage -register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\{PackageFullName}\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode
Toggle the App Execution Alias again.

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Common Errors

This error relates to networking and maps to ERROR_INTERNET_CANNOT_CONNECT. It could be related to TLS (Transport Layer Security).Solutions:
Configure WinGet to use the standard WININET library instead of Delivery Optimization.Add to your settings file:
{
  "network": {
    "downloader": "wininet"
  }
}
Configure WinGet to use the standard WININET library instead of Delivery Optimization.Add to your settings file:
{
  "network": {
    "downloader": "wininet"
  }
}
Error message:
Install failed: error 0x80070490: Opening the package from location appxbundle_Name.appxbundle failed.
0x80070490 : Element not found.
Solution:
  1. Install the KB5005565 update
  2. Reboot your machine
  3. Try installing the appxbundle again
When updating Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller from version 1.0.42251.0 on Windows 11 Pro image in Azure, the package name title might not render correctly.Workaround: Install the latest Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller using WinGet itself.
The WinGet Community repository requires network connectivity to https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache.First, try:
winget source update
If on WinGet 1.10 or newer:
  1. Uninstall the current source “Windows Package Manager Source (winget) V2”
  2. Run another winget command, or
  3. Manually install from: https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source2.msix
You may need to download this using “In Private” browsing if you encounter a 404 error.

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Getting Help

If these troubleshooting steps don’t resolve your issue:
  1. Check the GitHub Issues for similar problems
  2. Open a new issue with:
    • Windows version
    • App Installer version
    • Complete error message
    • Steps to reproduce

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