Winget: The Windows Power‑User’s Secret Weapon
Winget is one of those tools that quietly transforms how you manage software on Windows. If you’ve ever wished updating apps felt more like Linux package management—fast, predictable, scriptable—Winget is exactly that. And yes, it’s built by Microsoft.
What Is Winget?
Winget is the Windows Package Manager, a command‑line tool that lets you search, install, upgrade, and manage software without hunting through websites or installers.
Checking for Upgrades
Open Command Prompt:
- Press the Windows key
- Type cmd
- Press Enter
Then run:
If Winget is installed, you’ll see a list of applications that have updates available.
To upgrade everything at once:
Running CMD as Administrator reduces the number of approval prompts you’ll see.
Going Full Savage Mode
If you want Winget to update everything silently—no prompts, no confirmations—run CMD as Administrator and enter this single line:
This is the “I don’t want to babysit updates” mode. It’s powerful, so use it intentionally.
Installing New Software
Search for a program:
You’ll get a list of matching packages. Pick the one from a Winget source (usually obvious), then install it:
Pinning Apps You Don’t Want Updated
If you want Winget to skip a program during upgrades:
Repeat for each app you want pinned. Winget will remember your pins and skip them during upgrades.
When an Upgrade Fails
Sometimes an app won’t update even though it appears in the list. This is usually temporary—metadata updates, installer changes, or source sync delays. Try again next time; it often resolves itself.
Final Thoughts
Winget is one of the most underrated tools in Windows. Whether you’re casually updating apps or automating your entire software stack, it gives you control and consistency that GUI installers never will.