Setting up a new Windows machine can often feel overwhelming. Many users find themselves spending countless hours downloading and running various installers while trying to configure Windows optimally. Although there are methods to swiftly remove unnecessary bloatware, the real time-consuming aspect lies in installing your essential programs.
Fortunately, with the Windows Package Manager, commonly referred to as Winget, the process of app installation becomes significantly streamlined. No longer do you need to scour the internet for legitimate download links or risk encountering dubious software.
Understanding Winget
Microsoft’s Solution for Simplified App Installations
Winget serves as an app store that operates directly from your command line. Launched by Microsoft in 2020, it is the official package manager designed specifically for Windows 10 and 11.
Winget accesses a curated collection of thousands of software packages, all of which have been verified and maintained by the community. When you install an application through Winget, you can be assured that you are downloading the official version directly from the publisher.
Being a command-line utility, Winget easily integrates into scripts, allowing users to construct single commands for bulk installations from specific sources. This method saves effort by eliminating the need to download multiple installers and wade through numerous installation wizards, ultimately saving a considerable amount of time.
Bulk App Installations with Winget
Streamline Your Setup: Install Multiple Apps in One Go
When configuring a new Windows PC, installing a set of frequently used applications can turn into a tedious task. The typical approach involves opening your browser, searching for each program, downloading individual installers, and repeating this process up to 20 times for a complete setup.
This not only consumes an excessive amount of time but also poses security risks. Accidentally landing on a phishing website can lead to downloading compromised installers that may harbor malware or viruses.
Winget transforms this process dramatically. Simply run the command Winget install followed by the desired application names. For instance, using a single Winget command, you can install all 20 essential Windows apps as shown below:
winget install MarkText. MarkText AIMP. AIMP Microsoft. VisualStudioCode Notepad++.Notepad++ VideoLAN. VLC 7zip.7zip Audacity. Audacity Discord. Discord Spotify. Spotify REALiX. HWiNFO Microsoft. PowerToys BlastApps. FluentSearch Git. Git Python. Python.3 Zen-Team. Zen-Browser OBSProject. OBSStudio Notion. Notion SlackTechnologies. Slack Zoom. Zoom Valve. Steam
It’s as simple as that! Just one command, and you can step away as Windows manages the installation of your applications automatically. There’s no need to engage with individual installers or fret over potentially harmful downloads.
Should you encounter difficulties in locating or installing a specific package, verify that you are using the correct package name. Winget package names adhere to the format publisher.program, such as Slack being addressed as SlackTechnologies. Slack or Steam as Valve. Steam.
A practical approach to ensure you are entering the correct package name is to utilize the winget search command, which searches the Winget repository and provides a list of matches, including the appropriate ID, version, and source.
winget search [appname]
If navigating through package names proves cumbersome, there are user-friendly GUI and web options available to facilitate your Winget experience. Websites like winstall.app allow you to search for applications and generate the necessary Winget commands. Alternatively, WingetUI offers a third-party user interface that removes the command line component entirely.
Winget is equally beneficial for users switching devices. By employing the winget export command, you can create a list of installed applications in JSON format on your existing machine. Transfer the JSON file to your new device and execute the winget import command to seamlessly re-install all your previous apps. This capability enables you to re-establish your Windows setup in mere minutes.
Additionally, Winget supports YAML configuration files through its DSC (Desired State Configuration) feature. This allows you to create a single YAML file that not only facilitates app installations but also customizes Windows settings to your preferences. Such Winget functionalities can significantly enhance your Windows 11 experience.
Enhancing the Bulk Installation Process
Automate with Exports, Imports, and Scripts
Traditional app installation methods—searching, downloading, and installing—can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes per application. Accumulating 20 apps could easily consume 2 to 3 hours of your time just on repetitive actions. However, with Winget, the process of locating and installing these 20 applications can take as little as 15 minutes or less if you are already equipped with an import JSON file.
Once you familiarize yourself with Winget, reverting back to manual installations will feel not only unnecessary but also an inefficient use of your time. You have the option to construct a personal setup script featuring your essential applications, saving it as a batch file or PowerShell script—ensuring you never have to invest hours setting up a new machine again.
While the command line interface may initially seem intimidating, Winget’s syntax is straightforward. Furthermore, GUI tools such as winstall.app and WingetUI allow you to generate commands or even bypass the command line altogether.
This is the efficient package management experience that Windows users have long awaited. Your time is invaluable, so leverage Winget to manage app installations, allowing you to concentrate on utilizing your computer rather than configuring it.
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