Windows Package Manager

The Windows Package Manager (also known as winget) is a free and open-source package manager designed for Microsoft Windows 10. It consists of a command-line utility and a set of services for installing applications.[2][3] ISVs can use it as a distribution channel for their software packages.

Windows Package Manager
Developer(s)Microsoft
Initial releaseMay 13, 2020 (2020-05-13)
Preview release
v-0.2.10191-preview / January 19, 2021 (2021-01-19)[1]
Repositorygithub.com/microsoft/winget-cli
Written inC++
Operating systemWindows 10
Available inEnglish
TypePackage manager
LicenseMIT License
Websitedocs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/package-manager/

History

Windows Package Manager was first announced at the Microsoft Build developer conference in May 2020.[4][3]

Before deciding to develop Windows Package Manager, the team behind it explored Chocolatey, Scoop, Ninite, AppGet, Npackd and the PowerShell-based OneGet.[3] After the announcement of winget, Keivan Beigi, the developer of AppGet claimed[5] 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.[6][7][8] Microsoft responded with a blog post crediting a number of winget's features to AppGet.[9][10]

Overview

The winget tool supports installers based on EXE, MSIX, and MSI.[11] The public Windows Package Manager Community repository hosts manifest files for supported applications in YAML format.[12] In September 2020, Microsoft added the ability to install applications from the Microsoft Store and a command auto-completion feature.[13]

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.[14][15]

The winget client source code and the community manifest repository are licensed under MIT License and hosted on GitHub.[16][12]

Commands
Name Description
features Show status of experimental features
hash Hash installer files
install Install the given application
show Show information about the given application
search Search and show basic information of applications
settings Open winget configuration settings
source Manage application sources
uninstall Uninstall the given application
validate Validate a manifest file

Example

The following example searches for and installs Visual Studio Code, an open-source code editor from Microsoft.[14]

winget install vscode

See also

References
  1. "Tags · microsoft/winget-cli · GitHub". GitHub. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  2. Tom Warren. "Microsoft's new Windows Package Manager is already better than the Windows Store". The Verge.
  3. Windows Package Manager Preview | Windows Command Line
  4. Microsoft debuts Windows Package Manager for your dev environment | VentureBeat
  5. Beigi, Keivan (2020-05-25) [2020]. "The Day AppGet Died". Keivan Beigi. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Microsoft gives AppGet creator credit for Windows Package Manager - Neowin
  11. Use the winget tool to install and manage applications | Microsoft Docs
  12. GitHub - microsoft/winget-pkgs: The Microsoft community Windows Package Manager manifest repository
  13. Abrams, Lawrence (September 23, 2020). "Windows 10 Package Manager can now install Microsoft Store apps". Bleeping Computer. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
  14. Tung, Liam (May 21, 2020). "Microsoft's Windows Package Manager: This command-line tool can install all your apps". ZDNet. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
  15. How to Use Windows Package Manager - Petri
  16. "GitHub - microsoft/winget-cli: Windows Package Manager CLI (a.k.a. winget)". May 20, 2020 – via GitHub.
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