Discover the Hidden Windows Feature That Simplifies Software Installation

If you’re looking to perform a clean installation of Windows after each major update but dread the time-consuming process of reinstalling your applications, there’s good news. Both Windows 10 and 11 come equipped with a powerful command-line tool that simplifies app installations—a tool called WinGet.

Benefits of Using WinGet for App Management

When setting up a new PC or reinstalling Windows, a common ritual is to immediately download Google Chrome, poking fun at the reliance on browsers for such tasks. With WinGet, you can bypass this step entirely—just type a simple command, and you’re ready to go.

Typically, configuring a new PC requires endless website visits, downloading numerous installers, and navigating through tedious setup wizards. This traditional method quickly becomes laborious and inefficient.

winget command showing a list of supported wingets command on command prompt

Enter the Windows Package Manager (WinGet), which is pre-installed on Windows 10 and 11. It allows you to install most software with just a single command. Unlike questionable download sites, WinGet accesses applications directly from reputable sources, ensuring you always get secure and legitimate software. Updating applications is equally straightforward—execute one command to refresh all programs simultaneously.

For those who often assist family or friends with tech issues, WinGet’s remote functionality shines. It performs flawlessly over Remote Desktop or TeamViewer, letting you install applications seamlessly without dealing with download distractions or browser errors common in remote setups.

Quick Guide to Using WinGet for App Installations

Starting with WinGet is a breeze. First, confirm you have Windows Package Manager by accessing Command Prompt as an administrator. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator. This elevated access is crucial; it prevents individual installer prompts from appearing, smoothing out the installation process.

Once in the Command Prompt, type winget and hit Enter. If you see a list of available commands, you’re set. If not, you may need to install the App Installer from the Microsoft Store or choose to get WinGet from its official GitHub repository.

Let’s try installing Google Chrome. Simply type:

winget install Google. Chrome

This command directs WinGet to locate, download, and install Chrome without a single visit to Google’s site or manual installation steps. This command pattern works for virtually any widely-used software:

winget install Mozilla. Firefox winget install 7zip.7zip winget install Discord. Discord winget install OBS. OBSStudio

If you’re unsure of the exact application name, WinGet has a handy search feature. To look for ShareX, for example, execute:

winget search "ShareX"

This command will display matching applications along with their exact IDs, which you’ll need for installation, such as ShareX. ShareX.

For a smoother experience, consider utilizing the –silent flag to skip any installer prompts:

winget install Spotify. Spotify --silent

To view all installed programs, use:

winget list

And to update all applications in one go, run:

winget upgrade --all

This command checks for updates across all installed applications, easing the frequent annoyance of update alerts for multiple programs.

Effortless Bulk Installation with WinGet and Winstall

While WinGet is incredibly useful, it does require you to input each app name individually or to create a packages.json file for batch installations. This is where Winstall comes into play—a free web service that allows you to create custom WinGet scripts for bulk installations.

Navigate to winstall.app. You’ll find a user-friendly grid of popular applications. Select your preferred programs—like Chrome, Discord, Steam, VLC, and Notepad++—and click on each to add it to your package. If you don’t see a specific app, the search bar at the top will help you locate it within WinGet’s repository. Once you’ve made your selections, click on Generate Script at the bottom.

The generated batch file will resemble the following (using the “-e”flag for exact matches):

winget install --id=Google. Chrome -e winget install --id=Discord. Discord -e winget install --id=Valve. Steam -e winget install --id=VideoLAN. VLC -e winget install --id=Notepad++.Notepad++ -e

After clicking on the Download.bat button, you may receive a security warning. Click Keep Anyway to save it. To run the script, right-click the file and select Run as administrator. You can then sit back as Windows installs all selected applications automatically.

winstall web app with create pack and generate script option on the screen

For added convenience, consider saving a list of your favorite applications as a text file. This way, when setting up a new computer, simply run that same script to replicate your ideal setup effortlessly.

While the command line may seem daunting at first, WinGet is much simpler than conventional installers. There’s no need to memorize complicated commands; essential functions like install, search, and upgrade will cover most tasks. Keep a quick-reference text file with your favorite WinGet commands handy, and you’ll never again have to worry about searching for download links.

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