Windows Package Manager

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Windows Package Manager
Windows Package Manager v0.1.41331 Preview 1115x624.png
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseMay 13, 2020; 21 months ago (2020-05-13)
Stable release
v1.1.12653 / September 27, 2021; 4 months ago (2021-09-27)[1]
Preview release
v1.3.432 / February 14, 2022; 12 days ago (2022-02-14)[2]
Repositorygithub.com/microsoft/winget-cli
Written inC++
Operating systemWindows 10 or later
SizeAround 23 MB
Available inChinese, English, French, German, Japanese, and others
TypePackage manager
LicenseMIT License
Websitedocs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/

The Windows Package Manager (also known as winget) is a free and open-source package manager designed by Microsoft for Windows 10 and Windows 11. It consists of a command-line utility and a set of services for installing applications.[3][4] ISVs can use it as a distribution channel for their software packages.

History[]

Windows Package Manager was first announced at the Microsoft Build developer conference in May 2020.[5][4]

Before deciding to develop Windows Package Manager, the team behind it explored Chocolatey, Scoop, Ninite, AppGet, Npackd and the PowerShell-based OneGet.[4] After the announcement of winget, Keivan Beigi, the developer of AppGet claimed[6][non-primary source needed] that Microsoft interviewed him in December 2019 under the pretense of acquiring AppGet and hiring Beigi. After talking with Beigi, Microsoft allegedly ceased communication with him until confirming one day before the launch of winget that they would not be hiring him. Beigi was dismayed at Microsoft's lack of attribution of AppGet. The release of winget led Beigi to announce that AppGet would be discontinued in August 2020.[7][8][9] Microsoft responded with a blog post crediting a number of winget's features to AppGet.[10][11]

Microsoft released version 1.0 of Windows Package Manager on May 27, 2021. The Microsoft Community Repository included over 1,400 packages at that date.[12]

Overview[]

The winget tool supports installers based on EXE, MSIX, and MSI.[13] The public Windows Package Manager Community repository hosts manifest files for supported applications in YAML format.[14] In September 2020, Microsoft added the ability to install applications from the Microsoft Store and a command auto-completion feature.[15]

To reduce the likelihood of malicious software making its way into the repository and onto the target machine, Windows Package Manager uses Microsoft SmartScreen, static analysis, SHA256 hash validation and other processes.[16][17]

The winget client source code and the community manifest repository are licensed under MIT License and hosted on GitHub.[18][14]

Commands[]

Name Description
export Exports a list of the installed applications
features Show status of experimental features
hash Hash installer files
import Install all the applications in a file
install Install the given application
list Display installed applications
show Show information about the given application
search Search and show basic information of applications
settings Open winget configuration settings
source Manage application sources
upgrade Upgrades the given application
uninstall Uninstall the given application
validate Validate a manifest file

Example[]

The following example searches for and installs Visual Studio Code, a code editor from Microsoft. [19] 

winget install --id=Microsoft.VisualStudioCode  -e

The following example searches for and installs Google Chrome, a web browser from Google. [20] 

winget install --id=Google.Chrome  -e

The following example searches for and installs Mozilla Firefox, Brave and Vivaldi.

winget install --id=Mozilla.Firefox -e  ; winget install --id=BraveSoftware.BraveBrowser -e  ; winget install --id=VivaldiTechnologies.Vivaldi -e

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Releases · microsoft/winget-cli · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  2. ^ "preview · microsoft/winget-cli · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 2021-10-10.
  3. ^ Tom Warren. "Microsoft's new Windows Package Manager is already better than the Windows Store". The Verge.
  4. ^ a b c Windows Package Manager Preview | Windows Command Line
  5. ^ Microsoft debuts Windows Package Manager for your dev environment | VentureBeat
  6. ^ Beigi, Keivan (2020-05-25) [2020]. "The Day AppGet Died". Keivan Beigi. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  7. ^ Warren, Tom (28 May 2020). "Microsoft copied its new Windows Package Manager from rival AppGet, claims developer". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  8. ^ Anderson, Tim (May 28, 2020). "Embrace and kill? AppGet dev claims Microsoft reeled him in with talk of help and a job – then released remarkably similar package manager". The Register. Retrieved 2020-06-01.
  9. ^ Stewart, Ashley (May 28, 2020). "A developer says Microsoft led him on about a job and buying his tool before going silent and releasing its own very similar service. Now he wants an explanation and credit for his work". Business Insider. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  10. ^ Tung, Liam (June 1, 2020). "Windows 10: Microsoft now credits maker of package manager it 'copied' – but offers no apology". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  11. ^ Microsoft gives AppGet creator credit for Windows Package Manager - Neowin
  12. ^ Anderson, Tim (May 27, 2021). "Microsoft releases command-line package manager for Windows (there are snags)". The Register. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  13. ^ Use the winget tool to install and manage applications | Microsoft Docs
  14. ^ a b GitHub - microsoft/winget-pkgs: The Microsoft community Windows Package Manager manifest repository
  15. ^ Abrams, Lawrence (September 23, 2020). "Windows 10 Package Manager can now install Microsoft Store apps". Bleeping Computer. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  16. ^ Tung, Liam (May 21, 2020). "Microsoft's Windows Package Manager: This command-line tool can install all your apps". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  17. ^ How to Use Windows Package Manager - Petri
  18. ^ "GitHub - microsoft/winget-cli: Windows Package Manager CLI (a.k.a. winget)". May 20, 2020 – via GitHub.
  19. ^ "Winget PKG of Visual Studio Code" https://winget.run/pkg/Microsoft/VisualStudioCode
  20. ^ "Winget PKG of Google Chrome" https://winget.run/pkg/Google/Chrome

External links[]

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