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This guide walks you through installing and using the Windows Package Manager PowerShell modules.

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Prerequisites

Before installing the PowerShell modules, ensure you have:
  • Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11
  • PowerShell 7.2 or later
  • Windows Package Manager (WinGet) installed

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Check PowerShell Version

Verify your PowerShell version: 
$PSVersionTable.PSVersion
You should see version 7.2 or higher. If not, install PowerShell 7: 
winget install Microsoft.PowerShell
Windows PowerShell (5.1) is not supported. You must use PowerShell 7.2 or later.

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Installation

Install the WinGet PowerShell modules from the PowerShell Gallery: 
# Install the client module for package management
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.WinGet.Client -Scope CurrentUser

# Install the configuration module
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.WinGet.Configuration -Scope CurrentUser

# Install the DSC module (optional)
Install-Module -Name Microsoft.WinGet.DSC -Scope CurrentUser

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Import Modules

Import the modules to start using them: 
Import-Module Microsoft.WinGet.Client
Import-Module Microsoft.WinGet.Configuration

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Basic Usage

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Search for Packages

Find packages in configured sources: 
# Search by name
Find-WinGetPackage -Name "Visual Studio Code"

# Search by ID
Find-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode

# Search with query
Find-WinGetPackage -Query "python"

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Install Packages

Install packages from sources: 
# Install by ID
Install-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys

# Install with specific version
Install-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -Version 0.70.0

# Install interactively
Install-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -Mode Interactive

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List Installed Packages

View installed packages: 
# List all installed packages
Get-WinGetPackage

# Find specific installed package
Get-WinGetPackage -Name "PowerToys"

# List from specific source
Get-WinGetPackage -Source winget

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Update Packages

Update installed packages: 
# Update specific package
Update-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys

# Update to specific version
Update-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -Version 0.71.0

# Update all packages (use with Get-WinGetPackage)
Get-WinGetPackage | Where-Object { $_.IsUpdateAvailable } | Update-WinGetPackage

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Uninstall Packages

Remove installed packages: 
# Uninstall by ID
Uninstall-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys

# Uninstall with force flag
Uninstall-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -Force

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Working with Configuration Files

The configuration module enables declarative package management: 
# Load a configuration file
$config = Get-WinGetConfiguration -File "C:\config.yaml"

# Get details about the configuration
Get-WinGetConfigurationDetails -Set $config

# Apply the configuration
Invoke-WinGetConfiguration -Set $config -AcceptConfigurationAgreements

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Pipeline Support

Cmdlets support PowerShell pipeline operations: 
# Find and install
Find-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys | Install-WinGetPackage

# Get and update
Get-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys | Update-WinGetPackage

# Find and examine
Find-WinGetPackage -Query "python" | Select-Object Name, Id, Version

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Using WhatIf and Confirm

Test commands before executing: 
# See what would be installed
Install-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -WhatIf

# Prompt for confirmation
Uninstall-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -Confirm

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Common Parameters

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Match Options

Control how package fields are matched: 
# Exact match (case insensitive)
Find-WinGetPackage -Name "PowerToys" -MatchOption EqualsCaseInsensitive

# Contains match
Find-WinGetPackage -Name "Power" -MatchOption ContainsCaseInsensitive

# Starts with match
Find-WinGetPackage -Name "Power" -MatchOption StartsWithCaseInsensitive

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Sources

Specify package sources: 
# Search in specific source
Find-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -Source winget

# Install from specific source
Install-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -Source msstore

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Error Handling

Handle errors in your scripts: 
try {
    Install-WinGetPackage -Id Microsoft.PowerToys -ErrorAction Stop
    Write-Host "Package installed successfully"
}
catch {
    Write-Error "Failed to install package: $_"
}

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Getting Help

Access built-in help for cmdlets: 
# Get help for a cmdlet
Get-Help Install-WinGetPackage

# Get detailed help with examples
Get-Help Install-WinGetPackage -Detailed

# Get all examples
Get-Help Install-WinGetPackage -Examples

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Next Steps

Install-WinGetPackage

Learn about package installation options

Configuration

Manage configuration files

DSC Resources

Use DSC for declarative configuration

Find-WinGetPackage

Search for packages

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