# Windows Package Manager winget — Complete Guide : Install, Upgrade & Automate

- Link: https://sharepointtechnicalsupport.com/2025/09/27/windows-package-manager-winget-complete-guide/
- Published: 2025-09-27T00:20:54+05:30
- Author: Deviprasad Panda

winget is Microsoft’s official command-line package manager for Windows. Instead
of hunting for installers on websites and clicking through wizards, you can search,
install, upgrade, and remove apps with a single command. It’s fast, script-friendly,
and perfect for keeping development and productivity tools consistent across machines.

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## What is winget ?

Windows Package Manager (the tool is called winget) brings package management to
Windows in a way that will feel familiar if you’ve used Linux’s apt or macOS’s brew.
It pulls software from multiple sources—like the Windows Package Manager Community
Repository and the Microsoft Store—and exposes a unified, predictable command set.

 * **Simplified installs**: One command replaces manual downloads and click-through
   installers.
 * **Version control**: Install a specific version or safely upgrade later.
 * **Multiple sources**: Community repository, Microsoft Store, and any additional
   repositories you configure.
 * **Automation-ready**: Silent installs, easy scripting, and export/import of app
   lists.
 * **Consistency**: Manage classic desktop apps and Store apps from one CLI.

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## Prerequisites quick check

winget ships with modern Windows via the “App Installer” package. To confirm it’s
available:

    ```wp-block-code
    winget --version
    ```

![](https://i0.wp.com/sharepointtechnicalsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/
winget-version.jpg?resize=584%2C71&ssl=1)

If the command isn’t recognized, install/update App Installer from the Microsoft
Store, then reopen your terminal.

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## winget Basics: Everyday Commands You’ll Actually Use

winget is the Windows Package Manager. These core commands cover 90% of daily app
management—discover, install, update, and remove—without opening a browser.

### Check your installation

    ```wp-block-code
    winget --version
    ```

Confirms that Windows Package Manager is installed (via “App Installer”). If it’s
not recognized, install/update App Installer from Microsoft Store, then reopen your
terminal.

### Search for apps

Finds matching packages across configured sources (Community repository, Microsoft
Store, etc.). Use quotes for multi-word names.

    ```wp-block-code
    winget search <package-name> # Example: winget search "Visual Studio Code"
    ```

![](https://i0.wp.com/sharepointtechnicalsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/
winget-search.jpg?resize=584%2C106&ssl=1)

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### Inspect details before installing

    ```wp-block-code
    winget show <package-id> # Example: winget show Microsoft.VisualStudioCode
    ```

![](https://i0.wp.com/sharepointtechnicalsupport.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/
winget-show.jpg?resize=584%2C303&ssl=1)

Shows the exact Id, available versions, installer types (EXE/MSI/MSIX), and silent
switches. Use the Id for reliable installs.

### Install an app

    ```wp-block-code
    winget install <package-id> # Example: winget install Git.Git
    ```

Installs the latest version from your sources. To pin a version: –version 2.44.0.
For automation, add –silent –accept-package-agreements –accept-source-agreements.

### List installed apps (known to winget)

    ```wp-block-code
    winget list
    ```

Displays packages winget can see and manage. Some older apps may not appear if they
weren’t installed through recognized channels.

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### Upgrade software

    ```wp-block-code
    # Upgrade everything with updates available winget upgrade --all
    winget upgrade Git.Git
    ```

Keep your toolbox current. If an app is running, close it first to avoid upgrade
failures.

### Uninstall an app

    ```wp-block-code
    winget uninstall <package-id> # Example: winget uninstall Microsoft.VisualStudioCode
    ```

Removes the selected package using its registered uninstaller. If multiple entries
exist, specify the exact Id from winget list.

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### Pro Tips

 * **Prefer Ids over names**: Git.Git beats “Git for Windows” for accuracy.
 * **Script it**: Use –silent and the two –accept-* flags in CI or setup scripts.
 * **Speed up new PC setup**: Export your stack once, then import on fresh machines:

    ```wp-block-code
    winget export --output .\apps.json winget import --import-file .\apps.json --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements
    ```

 * **Know your sources**: winget source list shows where packages come from (Community
   repository, Microsoft Store, etc.).

Bottom line: With these commands, you can install, audit, update, and remove most
apps on Windows—no download pages required.

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## winget Advanced: Version Pinning, Silent Installs, Sources & Settings

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, these four commands unlock repeatable, 
script-friendly installs and tighter control over where packages come from and how
they’re configured.

### Install a specific version

Use –version when you need an exact build for compatibility or CI reproducibility.

    ```wp-block-code
    winget install <package-id> --version <version> # Examples winget install OpenJS.NodeJS.LTS --version 20.19.0 winget install Git.Git --version 2.44.0
    ```

 * When to pin: legacy projects, matching team environments, or verifying a bug 
   against a known version.
 * Tip: get the valid versions list with winget show.

### Run silent, unattended installs

For scripts and automated setups, silence prompts so the install completes without
interaction.

    ```wp-block-code
    winget install <package-id> --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements # Example winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements
    ```

 * Note: not every installer supports fully silent switches; check winget show to
   see installer type (EXE/MSI/MSIX) and behavior.
 * Admin rights: some packages elevate automatically; if it fails, run your terminal
   as Administrator.

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### See (and trust) your sources

Know where packages originate and keep repositories healthy.

    ```wp-block-code
    winget source list # Common outputs: # winget <Windows Package Manager Community Repository> # msstore <Microsoft Store>
    ```

 * Update / reset sources:

    ```wp-block-code
    winget source update winget source reset --force
    ```

Why it matters: clear provenance reduces surprises (e.g., Store vs Community repository),
especially in enterprises.

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### Open and edit winget settings (JSON)

Customize defaults—great for teams and repeatable builds.

    ```wp-block-code
    winget settings
    ```

That opens a JSON file. Here’s a minimal example you can adapt:

    ```wp-block-code
    { "$schema": "https://aka.ms/winget-settings.schema.json", "installBehavior": { "preferences": { "scope": "machine", // "user" or "machine" "locale": "en-US" }, "skipDependencies": false, "disableInstallNotes": true }, "network": { "downloader": "default" // or "WinINet", "DeliveryOptimization" }, "telemetry": { "disable": false }, "visual": { "progressBar": "rainbow" // "accent", "retro", etc. } }
    ```

### Putting it all together (script-ready examples)

Pin and install a toolchain silently:

    ```wp-block-code
    winget install Git.Git --version 2.44.0 --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --version 1.93.0 --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements winget install CoreyButler.NVMforWindows --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements
    ```

Export and re-create your stack on a new PC:

    ```wp-block-code
    # On your primary machine winget export --output .\my-dev-stack.json
    ```

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## Install NVM for Windows and Pin a Specific Node.js Version with winget

The fastest way to manage Node.js on Windows is to combine two tools: winget (Microsoft’s
package manager) to install software, and NVM for Windows (Node Version Manager)
to keep multiple Node versions and switch between them on demand. Below is a practical,
copy-ready flow you can run in PowerShell.

### Discover and inspect the NVM package

First, confirm that winget can find the package and show its details (ID, available
versions, installer type, etc.).

    ```wp-block-code
    winget search nvm # Find Node Version Manager (NVM)Windows
    winget show CoreyButler.NVMforWindows # Inspect the exact package (recommended: use the Id for installs)
    ```

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### Install NVM for Windows via winget

Use winget to install NVM silently and accept license prompts (handy for automation).
If you’d rather click through an installer, omit the flags.

    ```wp-block-code
    winget install CoreyButler.NVMforWindows --silent ^ --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements
    ```

When the install finishes, open a new PowerShell window so your PATH changes take
effect.

### Install a specific Node.js version with winget

[winget ](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/winget/)can 
install Node directly, including a pinned version. This is useful if you simply 
want one fixed Node version (no switching).

    ```wp-block-code
    winget install OpenJS.NodeJS --version 22.19.0 # Example: install a specific Node.js version
    ```

## Related Links

 * [NodeJS version does not meet requirements – Gulp serve error](https://sharepointtechnicalsupport.com/2025/09/27/nodejs-version-does-not-meet-requirements-gulp-serve-error/)

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