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Installing WinGet

This guide covers all methods for installing the Windows Package Manager client on your Windows system.

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Prerequisites

WinGet requires Windows 10 1809 (build 17763) or later. Check your Windows version before proceeding.

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Check Your Windows Version

1

Open Settings

Press Win + I or navigate to Start → Settings
2

Navigate to System Information

Go to System → About
3

Verify Version

Check that your Windows version is 1809 or later (build 17763+)
See which version of Windows 10 you have
Windows Server Compatibility
  • Windows Server 2019 is not supported (Microsoft Store unavailable)
  • Windows Server 2022 support is experimental and requires manual dependency installation

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Installation Methods

The easiest and recommended way to install WinGet is through the Microsoft Store.
1

Open Microsoft Store

Launch the Microsoft Store app from your Start menu
2

Search for App Installer

Search for “App Installer” or visit the direct link:App Installer on Microsoft Store
3

Install or Update

Click “Get” or “Update” to install/update App Installer
4

Verify Installation

Open a new terminal and run:
winget --version
WinGet is distributed within the App Installer package. Installing or updating App Installer will give you the latest stable version of WinGet.

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Method 2: Manual Installation from GitHub

Download and install WinGet directly from the GitHub releases page.
1

Download the Package

Visit the WinGet Releases pageDownload the latest .msixbundle file (e.g., Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle)
2

Install Dependencies (if needed)

On older Windows 10 builds, you may need the VC++ v14 Desktop Framework Package:Download VC++ v14 Desktop FrameworkThis is only necessary if you get an error about missing framework packages.
3

Install the Package

Double-click the downloaded .msixbundle file and follow the installation prompts
4

Verify Installation

Open a new terminal and run:
winget --version
Manually installing from GitHub will not enable automatic updates from the Microsoft Store unless you join the Windows Package Manager Insider program.

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Method 3: Windows Package Manager Insider Program

Get early access to preview features and updates.
1

Join the Insider Program

Sign up at aka.ms/winget-InsiderProgram
2

Wait for Confirmation

The approval process requires manual steps. Wait a few days after receiving your email notification.
3

Receive Updates

Once approved, you’ll automatically receive pre-release builds through the Microsoft Store
4

Check for Experimental Features

Verify you’re on the preview build:
winget features
Insider program members receive both stable and pre-release updates. Only the Windows Insider DEV channel continues receiving all pre-release builds after v1.0.

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Method 4: PowerShell Module

Use the Microsoft.WinGet.Client PowerShell module to install or repair WinGet. 
# Install the PowerShell module
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.WinGet.Client

# Repair or update WinGet
Repair-WinGetPackageManager

# Install pre-release versions
Repair-WinGetPackageManager -IncludePrerelease
Microsoft.WinGet.Client on PowerShell Gallery

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Method 5: Windows Insider Builds

If you’re on the Windows Insider program, WinGet preview builds are included automatically:

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Method 6: Machine-Wide Provisioning

Provision WinGet for all users on a machine (requires administrator privileges).
1

Download Required Packages

Download from the WinGet Releases page:
2

Run PowerShell Command

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:
Add-AppxProvisionedPackage -Online `
  -PackagePath "C:\Path\To\Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller.msixbundle" `
  -LicensePath "C:\Path\To\License.xml" `
  -DependencyPackagePath "C:\Path\To\Microsoft.VCLibs.x64.Desktop.appx"
3

User Login

Users need to log into their Windows account for the package to register

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Method 7: Build from Source

For developers who want to build WinGet themselves.
1

Check Prerequisites

Ensure you have:
2

Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/microsoft/winget-cli.git
cd winget-cli
3

Configure Your System

Run from the project root:
# For VS Community
winget configure .config/configuration.winget

# For VS Professional
winget configure .config/configuration.vsProfessional.winget

# For VS Enterprise
winget configure .config/configuration.vsEnterprise.winget
4

Setup vcpkg

Run from Developer Command Prompt or Developer PowerShell for VS 2022:
vcpkg integrate install
This is a one-time setup step.
5

Build the Solution

Open src\AppInstallerCLI.sln in Visual Studio and build the solution
6

Deploy and Run

  • From Visual Studio: Build → Deploy Solution
  • Run from command line using wingetdev
Self-built clients are functional but not officially supported. Telemetry is disabled in self-built versions. See Building from Source for complete details.

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Verifying Your Installation

After installation, verify WinGet is working correctly: 
winget --version
Expected output from winget --info:
  • Windows Package Manager version
  • Windows version
  • Installed package sources
  • Group policy settings (if any)

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Troubleshooting Installation

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WinGet Command Not Found

If you see 'winget' is not recognized as an internal or external command:
1

Verify App Installer Version

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

Enable App Execution Alias

  • Go to Settings → Apps → App execution aliases
  • Enable the toggle for “App Installer (winget)”
3

Check PATH Environment Variable

Add to PATH if missing:%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsAppsTest with:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\winget --version
4

Re-register Package (if needed)

# Get package full name
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller | Select Name, PackageFullName

# Re-register (replace {PackageFullName})
Add-AppxPackage -register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\{PackageFullName}\appxmanifest.xml" -DisableDevelopmentMode

# Toggle App Execution Alias again

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No Output When Running WinGet

If WinGet exits with no message, you may be using a retired CDN: 
# Check your version
winget --info

# If version is lower than 1.6.3482, update using:
# Option 1: Microsoft Store - Update App Installer
# Option 2: Download from https://aka.ms/getwinget
# Option 3: Install from GitHub releases

# After updating, force a source update
winget source update

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Missing Framework Packages

If you encounter errors about missing framework packages:
  1. Install VC++ v14 Desktop Framework Package
  2. This is typically only needed on older Windows 10 builds
Error 0x80072efd - Cannot connect:
  • Enable TLS 1.2
  • Flush DNS cache: ipconfig /flushdns
Error 0x801901a0 or 0x80d03002 - Delivery Optimization:
  • Configure WinGet to use WININET library:
winget settings
Add to settings.json: 
{
  "network": {
    "downloader": "wininet"
  }
}
For complete troubleshooting, see the Troubleshooting Guide.

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Next Steps

Quick Start Guide

Learn basic WinGet commands and workflows

Configuration

Customize WinGet settings and behavior

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