How to use winget to install Microsoft Store applications
Microsoft released Windows Package Manager 1.1 earlier this month. The new version of the package manager, known as winget by its users, is available for Windows 10 version 1809 and newer, and for Windows 11. The big new feature of the release is that Microsoft added its own Microsoft Store as a source to the Windows Package Manager.
Up until now, users got a single source of curated Windows programs when they used the default Windows Package Manager functionality. Now, it is that list plus everything that is in Microsoft Store.
A year back, a feature that would add Microsoft Store as a source, would not have garnered much enthusiasm from users. Now, with Microsoft Store accepting Win32 programs next to UWP apps, it may very well be seen as an exciting improvement, at least by users and administrators who don't refuse to use the Microsoft Store at all.
Windows Package Manager 1.0 was released in May 2021. Microsoft announced in June 2021 that it would tighten the submission rules.
Windows Package Manager 1.1 and Microsoft Store
With Windows Package Manager 1.1 installed, Windows users may search, install, and upgrade applications from Microsoft's Store.
- First thing you need to do is open a command prompt window. Open Start, type cmd, and select the result to open a Command Prompt window. You may also open an elevated command prompt window; if you do, you won't get elevation prompts if applications require it.
- Run the command winget --version to see if you get a version returned.
- If you get version 1.1.12653 or higher, you are all set.
- If you get an earlier version, you need to update it. You can update it from the Microsoft Store, it is part of App Installer, if you are an Insider, or by downloading it using the instructions under 3).
- If you get an error returned, you need to install the Windows Package Manager on the system before you can use it. It is available on the Microsoft Store or as a direct download from the project's GitHub repository.
- Run the command winget search sysinternals to find any result that matches the search term. You can replace "sysinternals" with any other search term, but for the sake of this tutorial, let us assume you want to install the Sysinternals Suite of tools from Microsoft Store using winget.
- Windows Package Manager returns all matching applications that are found on the community list or Microsoft Store.
- The core installation command is winget install NAME/ID. You can use the name or the ID of the package to install, uninstall or upgrade it.
- Run winget install "sysinternals suite" to install the Microsoft Store version. Note that you need to use ".." if the name has a space or multiple space characters.
- Run winget install 9P7KNL5RWT25 to install it as well.
- Accept the agreement.
The application is then installed automatically, and ready for use once it has been installed on the device.
You may find the following commands useful:
- To find out whether a program is available on the Microsoft Store: winget search "Name of Program" -s msstore
- Display all sources: winget source list
- To remove a source: winget source remove SOURCENAME, e.g. winget source remove msstore
- To update all apps: winget upgrade --all
Closing Words
It may be faster to install, uninstall or upgrade applications using winget, than using Microsoft Store or the Settings application for that.
Windows 10 or 11 users who don't use the Microsoft Store may remove it as a source and use the Windows Package Manager with the default repository.
Now You: do you use or plant to use the Windows Package Manager?
There is not still W11 23H2 and these instructions are nonsense by now. :[
It worked for me just fine. You’re probably not following the instructions clearly.
Just tried the password option and the OOBE option and didnt work.
Worked perfectly. Thank OP.
Worked perfectly for me just now. Specifically, the regedit option.
Is this cut and paste from a Microsoft PR paper, because it 1000% BS:
“By listening to user insights, Microsoft has demonstrated its commitment to refining the Windows experience based on real-world needs.”
Windows 11 is proof they don’t give a s*it.
Worked for me just now
I agree! Windows 11 was a downgrade to me and I kept all 8 computers in our family on Windows 10 as a result. They didn’t listen to any customers. The taskbar was THE main reason I stayed away from Windows 11. With 6 monitors, it is impossible to navigate so many browser tabs, without the feature. I will try the new version in the virtual box to see if it is worth it yet.
Microsoft did a terrible job with this implementation.
They simply need to employ the creator of StartAllBack to fix Windows. He is smarter and more talented than the entire campus of Microsoft employees.
lol
Thank you so much! I work in IT and this is extremely useful information!
Thanks man. The second method worked great!
I used the second method, and i got exactly what i expected.
Using the Bypass 2: Use a banned email address email worked fantastically as I had gone to far to use the bypass 1.
I will be back when I next have a problem.
Keep you the great work
W11 File Explorer is the worst crap ever done. W11 is the biggest shame ever.
Just one more reason for me to go to Linux when Windows 10 ages out.
@ MarineRecon,
Be careful which Linux distro you choose. Some of them don’t include the Wayland protocol which is a security issue i.e. apps can copy, paste and inject data without user interaction.
It’s included in Fedora: https://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/fedora/latest/system-administrators-guide/Wayland/
How about a DARK MODE for your website? That would be oh so nice.
Something like this : [https://img.justpaste.me/image/8617] maybe?
Done with ‘Dark Reader Extension for ? Firefox’ [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/darkreader/]
This comment was written on [https://www.ghacks.net/windows-11-installation-has-failed-how-to-fix-this-upgrade-error/#comment-4573155}
Definitely NOT! Once you get older and your eyesight starts to fail you’ll positively loathe dark mode.
Microsoft completely ruined File Explorer by converting to XAML/WinUI/whatever new bloated modern garbage. Its worse than it ever was.
i tested it on win10 current edition. speeds up explorer like a charm
SO what is the priority numbers to give preference to ethernet over wireless?
Worked very well happy to have Windows Photo Viewer back in action in Windows-11
Worked for me (registry option) thank god, I can use the search option to find things on my computer again. Thank you so much!
Install Everything Search and dispense with Microsoft’s crappy search tool. https://www.voidtools.com/
Martin wrote an article on it: https://www.ghacks.net/2020/10/09/add-everything-search-to-the-windows-taskbar-for-even-faster-searches/
I presume the text “WindowsCopilot,,” is a typographical error (2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/). The broken comment system unfortunately looks like it is populating itself via AI autopilot.
Hopefully, this Windows Copilot nonsense fails even more spectacularly than Cortana. Who requested this? We want all of the UX features removed back in 11, not this copilot nonsense.
I really don’t mind all of these Windows enhancement but Microsoft get one thing very wrong. ‘Opt in’, is far better than seek information and work to disable.
Turn off Windows Copilot entirely is not good enough.
How to uninstall Copilot entirely ?
@ ilev,
Use Gpedit or the registry. Explained in this article: https://www.ghacks.net/2023/09/17/how-to-disable-windows-copilot-in-windows/
With that snake oil salesman Panos gone, hopefully Windows can return to a normal desktop operating system without all the insanity it has right now in Windows 11.
Can we please stop being ‘politically correct’ (lying) and call them ads again instead of ‘suggestions’?