Introduction to Winget
Winget is a command-line tool that allows users to discover, install, upgrade, remove, and configure applications on Windows systems. It's designed to make managing software easier without navigating through multiple websites or installer platforms.
Getting Started with Winget
Before you start using Winget, ensure it's installed on your system. Winget comes pre-installed on Windows 10 (version 1709 or later) and Windows 11.
How to Check if Winget is Installed
Open Command Prompt or PowerShell in Administratir mode.
Type `winget` and press Enter.
If Winget is installed, you'll see a list of commands available.
If you don't see Winget commands, you may need to install or update the App Installer from the Microsoft Store.
Basic Winget Commands
Searching for Applications
To find an application, use the search command. For example, to search for Firefox:
winget search Firefox
This command lists all available versions of Firefox that Winget can install.
Installing Applications
To install an application, use the install command. Here's how to install Firefox:
winget install Mozilla.Firefox
Replace `Mozilla.Firefox` with the ID of the application you wish to install. The ID can be found using the search command.
Listing Installed Applications
To see what applications you have installed through Winget, use the list command:
winget list
This command shows all applications installed on your system, including those installed through Winget.
Updating Applications
To update an application to the latest version, use the upgrade command. For example, to update Firefox:
winget upgrade Mozilla.Firefox
To update all applications installed through Winget, use:
winget upgrade --all
Removing Applications
To uninstall an application, use the uninstall command. For example, to uninstall Firefox:
winget uninstall Mozilla.Firefox
Tips for Non-Tech Savvy Users
Take Your Time: Read through each command and its explanation carefully before trying it out.
Experiment Safely: Feel free to experiment with searching and listing applications. These actions won't change your system.
Install with Care: Only install applications that you need and trust. Winget sources applications from various providers, and while safety measures are in place, it's important to stay aware of what you're installing.
Conclusion
Winget is a powerful tool that simplifies software management on Windows. By understanding and using the basic commands outlined in this guide, you can easily manage applications on your computer without needing deep technical knowledge.