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WinGet is Windows’ command-line package manager. It lets you search Microsoft’s app repositories, identify a package, install it, choose a version, and automate setup from Command Prompt or PowerShell.
It is included with the App Installer package. You do not install a separate “WinGet” Microsoft Store app. On supported Windows editions, App Installer is delivered and updated through Microsoft Store.
This guide covers the commands that work on both Windows 11 and supported Windows 10 installations, along with the most common problems you may encounter.
Check whether WinGet is available
WinGet supports Windows 10 version 1809 (build 17763) or later, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2025. It is not supported on Windows Server 2019 because that edition does not provide Microsoft Store and the required dependencies.
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- Open Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
wingetIf WinGet is installed, Windows displays its help summary. For the complete list of commands and options, run:
winget --helpAfter a fresh Windows installation or the first sign-in, WinGet may not work immediately. Microsoft Store registers Windows Package Manager asynchronously. You can request that registration manually from PowerShell:
Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbweClose and reopen the terminal, then test winget again.
Install or repair WinGet through Microsoft Store
If the command is not recognized, install or update App Installer:
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- Open Start.
- Type store and press Enter.
- In the Microsoft Store search bar, type winget and press Enter.
- Select App Installer in the results.
- Select Get, or select the available update option.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run
wingetto verify it.
If App Installer does not appear, use the App Installer download link provided in Microsoft’s WinGet documentation.
Manual App Installer update
Microsoft also documents a fallback using the WinGet GitHub releases page:
- Open the WinGet project’s GitHub page.
- Under Releases, open the latest release.
- In Assets, download the
.msixbundlefile. - Run the downloaded file.
- Select Update.
- Open a new terminal and run
winget.
Windows Sandbox is a special case: it does not include Microsoft Store or WinGet. Microsoft documents bootstrapping it with the Microsoft.WinGet.Client PowerShell module and the Repair-WinGetPackageManager command.
Search for an app
The basic search syntax is:
winget search <query>For example, to search for Visual Studio Code:
winget search vscodesearch also has the alias find:
winget find vscodeBy default, the query is a case-insensitive substring match against the package name, ID, and moniker. Wildcards are not supported. A broad query may therefore return several packages.
Search results normally show information such as:
- Package name
- Package ID
- Available version
- Source
- Other identifying details
The package ID is generally the safest value to use in a later install command.
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Use a more precise search
You can restrict the search to a specific field:
| Command | Searches |
|---|---|
winget search --id <query> |
Package ID |
winget search --name <query> |
Package name |
winget search --moniker <query> |
Package moniker |
winget search --tag <query> |
Package tag |
winget search --command <query> |
Command associated with the package |
--cmd is an alias for --command. To require an exact, case-sensitive match, add --exact or its short form, -e:
winget search vscode --exactYou can also limit results to a repository. For example:
winget search "Visual Studio Code" --source msstoreTo limit the number of results, use --count. The valid range is 1 through 1000:
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Older guides sometimes say that running winget search with no query lists every package. That behavior changed. Use an explicit empty query instead:
winget search --query ""In Windows PowerShell, use Microsoft’s escaped form if needed:
winget search -q `"`"Inspect a package before installing it
Once you have a likely match, inspect its metadata with winget show:
winget show <query>This displays package details and information about the installer WinGet selects. To see versions available for a package while searching, use:
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winget search vscode
winget show Microsoft.VisualStudioCodeInstall an app with WinGet
The simplest form is:
winget install <query>For example:
winget install vscodeBecause an unqualified query can match a name, ID, or moniker, it may produce multiple results. For repeatable installs, use the package ID and require an exact match:
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winget install --id Git.Git --exactIf two configured sources contain duplicate entries, specify the source as well:
winget install --id Git.Git --exact --source wingetMicrosoft Store package IDs are unique identifiers. For example:
winget install XP9KHM4BK9FZ7Q --source msstoreInstall a specific version
Without a version switch, WinGet installs the highest available version. To request a particular version, use:
winget install <query> --version <version>Examples:
winget install powertoys --version 0.91.1
winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys --version 0.91.1The requested version must be available in the selected source.
Install several apps in sequence
List multiple package IDs separated by spaces:
winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode Microsoft.PowerShell Git.GitWinGet installs the packages sequentially rather than simultaneously. For reliable results, use exact IDs where possible.
Run a silent or scripted installation
For an installer that supports unattended operation, add --silent or -h:
winget install --id Git.Git --exact --silentAutomated scripts may also need both agreement switches:
winget install --id Git.Git --exact --silent --accept-source-agreements --accept-package-agreementsThese options serve different purposes:
| Option | Purpose |
|---|---|
--silent |
Suppresses installer user interface where supported. |
--accept-source-agreements |
Accepts the terms for the WinGet source or repository. |
--accept-package-agreements |
Accepts the application’s package license or EULA. |
Accepting the package agreement does not accept optional components or bundled software offered inside the installer. Also, these switches do not guarantee that an installer-specific prompt will disappear unless the installer supports silent operation.
Choose user or machine scope
Use --scope when you need to request where the application is installed:
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winget install <query> --scope user
winget install <query> --scope machineScope behavior depends on the installer technology:
- MSIX packages generally handle scope reliably.
- MSI packages are usually reliable, but behavior can vary when an MSI is nested inside an EXE installer.
- EXE installers may ignore the requested scope or determine it using their own logic.
A user-scope installation can still trigger a UAC request if the installer requires administrator authorization.
Do you need an administrator terminal?
Not always. WinGet can install applications from a normal Command Prompt or PowerShell session, but individual installers may require elevation. Windows then displays an elevation prompt. If you decline it, the installation fails.
To avoid elevation prompts for installers that require administrator rights, open an elevated shell:
- Open Start.
- Type Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Right-click the result and select Run as administrator.
- Run the WinGet command again.
Troubleshoot common WinGet errors
“winget is not recognized”
Check these causes in order:
- Confirm that the Windows version is supported.
- Install or update App Installer through Microsoft Store.
- If you just signed in for the first time, run the registration command shown earlier.
- Close and reopen the terminal.
- Check that the App Installer location is available through the system’s
PATH.
WinGet finds more than one app
A broad substring query can match multiple names, IDs, or monikers. Search again, copy the intended ID, and install with:
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The command pauses for agreements
The first operation involving a source may ask you to accept source terms. Package licenses are separate. For automation, include both agreement switches:
winget install --id Publisher.Package --exact --silent --accept-source-agreements --accept-package-agreementsA download returns 403 Forbidden
A vendor’s download server may block WinGet’s user-agent string even when the same installer downloads successfully in a browser. This is usually a restriction on the vendor’s server, not proof that your internet connection is broken. Try the vendor’s official download page or another available package source.
WinGet fails under the SYSTEM account
WinGet’s packaged components must be registered for a user, so the CLI is not supported in the NT AUTHORITYSYSTEM context. Machine-management tools running as SYSTEM should use the Microsoft.WinGet.Client PowerShell module instead of directly invoking the WinGet CLI.
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Find logs and decode error codes
Default WinGet logs are stored here:
%LOCALAPPDATA%PackagesMicrosoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbweLocalStateDiagOutputDir*.logTo create more comprehensive logs for source and CDN communication, add --verbose-logs:
winget install <query> --verbose-logs
winget search <query> --verbose-logsYou can also ask WinGet to open its log directory after an operation:
winget install <query> --open-logsTo decode a known WinGet, MSIX, or MSI error code, run:
winget error 1603Some EXE installers return vendor-specific codes that WinGet cannot interpret. In those cases, the installer’s own documentation and the verbose log are usually more useful.
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Is WinGet already installed in Windows 11?
Usually, yes. WinGet is included in the Microsoft App Installer package, which Windows desktop editions receive and update through Microsoft Store. Run winget in Command Prompt or PowerShell to check.
Does Windows 10 support WinGet?
Yes, if it is Windows 10 version 1809, build 17763, or later. Earlier Windows 10 versions are not supported.
What is the safest WinGet install command?
Search for the application first, then use its exact package ID: winget install --id Publisher.Package --exact. Add --source if more than one configured source contains the package.
Can WinGet install apps without administrator rights?
Sometimes. Applications that support user installation can work from a normal terminal, but some installers require elevation. In that case Windows displays a UAC prompt, or you can run an Administrator Command Prompt.
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How do I install an older version with WinGet?
First check available versions with winget search <query> --versions, then specify one with winget install <query> --version <version>.
Why does WinGet say the app cannot be found?
The package may use a different name or ID, be unavailable in your configured source, or be blocked by a source problem. Search using a shorter term, inspect the source with winget search, and check verbose logs if necessary.
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Use WinGet in three stages: search, confirm the package ID, then install the exact ID. For example:
winget search vscode
winget show Microsoft.VisualStudioCode
winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --exactUse --version for a pinned release, --silent and both agreement switches for automation, and --verbose-logs when an installation fails.
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