WinGet, the package manager in Windows
WinGet, also known as the Windows Package Manager, is a command-line tool developed by Microsoft to simplify software management on Windows, especially for business users. WinGet allows quick installation of packages from a central repository, automates software deployment, and integrates with the App Installer on Windows 10 and 11. It is great for developers and IT professionals needing efficient software management. It also serves as an alternative for end consumers to Install Apps outside the Microsoft Store.
Step 1. How To Install WinGet
To install this package manager, verify whether it’s already preinstalled on your system. It is automatically included with the App Installer package on Windows 11 and the latest two versions of Windows 10, which are supported.
Step 2. Using the package manager
Winget commands allow you to efficiently manage software on your Windows system through the command line.
Concurrently, to open a command line, also known as Command Prompt, see below:
- Open the Windows Start menu.
- Type cmd, right-click it, and choose run as administrator.
Various switches of package manager used to Install apps outside Microsoft Store
- First essential step, To install an application, you can use the ‘WinGet install < package-name >’ command, where ‘<package-name>’ is the specific identifier for the software you want to install.
- If you’re unsure of the package name, you can use the WinGet search ‘<keyword>’ command to find it, replacing ‘<keyword>’ with a relevant term or part of the application’s name.
- To update an existing application, the ‘WinGet upgrade <packet-name>’ command is handy, ensuring you have the latest version of the package.
- If you want to update all installed applications simultaneously, use ‘winget upgrade –all’ .
- Last, For removing software, the ‘WinGet uninstall <package-name>’ command. It will uninstall the package aka the application.
winget install <package>
winget uninstall <package>
winget upgrade
winget show <package>
winget search <search_string>
winget export – export the list of installed programs to a file
winget import – installation of programs (packages) according to the list in the file
Examples of using WinGet
For example, to install Firefox, type the following command:
winget install Mozilla.FirefoxAlternatively, to uninstall Firefox, you would use this command:
winget uninstall Mozilla.Firefox To list all installed packages on a system, type the following command:
winget list Finally, to update all software supported, type the following command:
winget upgrade --all The WinGet export and Import commands help restore the apps to your computer if you need to reinstall them.
winget export -o C:\1.json 
A GUI Interface for the package manager
Furthermore, While WinGet is primarily a command-line tool, a graphical user interface (GUI) can enhance its usability for those who prefer visual interactions over text-based commands. One such GUI is UnigetUI(formerly WinGetUI), which provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface for managing software packages.
UnigetUI, which can be called as a Graphical version of the package manager, allows you to manage packages using a GUI application The interface often includes search functionality, making it easy to find specific applications without needing to remember exact package names. Additionally, WingetUI offers advanced features like batch operations, where users can install or update multiple applications simultaneously, saving time and effort. Moreover, by offering a visual representation of installed and available software, a GUI interface for Winget makes it accessible to a broader audience, including those unfamiliar with command-line operations.