How to install software with winget and the Microsoft Store

Two ways to install and update programs on Windows skip the search for a download page on the web: the Microsoft Store, which is point-and-click, and winget, a typed command that Windows includes.

Which route to use

Both routes install from a central catalog, so you do not have to find the right website yourself. That avoids look-alike download sites. For the wider rules on safe downloads, see how to install software safely and how to avoid fake download and driver sites.

Install an app from the Microsoft Store

1. Select Start, then select Microsoft Store. You can also type Microsoft Store in the taskbar search box.
2. Type the app's name in the search box at the top of the Store window, or browse Apps and Gaming.
3. Select the app. Check the publisher's name on its page. It should be the company you expect.
4. Select the install button (it reads Get or Install). Sign in with your Microsoft account if asked.
5. Wait for the download. The button changes when it finishes, and the app appears in the Start menu.

Keep Store apps up to date

Open the Store and look for updates. In Windows 11, select Library, then select Get updates. In Windows 10, select See more, then Downloads and updates, then Get updates.

If the Store will not download

Microsoft's steps for Store problems, in order: sign in to your Microsoft account; close the app and reopen it; run Check for updates in Windows Update and install anything offered; then update the Store apps as above. If the problem is one app, repair or reset it under Settings then Apps then Installed apps. On a work or school PC, an administrator may restrict the Store.

Install an app with winget

winget is the Windows Package Manager. It comes with the App Installer component, which is part of Windows 11 and recent Windows 10. Microsoft says it needs Windows 10 version 1809 or later.

Open a terminal

1. On Windows 11, right-click Start and select Terminal. On Windows 10, type Command Prompt in the taskbar search box and open it.
2. Open it as a normal user, not as administrator. Microsoft says some installers will ask for permission themselves when they need it, and that you should use caution with an administrator window.

Search, then install

1. Type this command and press Enter. Replace the name with the program you want. This example looks for PowerToys, a Microsoft utility.

   winget search powertoys

2. Read the results. Note the Id column. For the Microsoft example, the ID is Microsoft.PowerToys. Make sure the ID and publisher are what you expect.
3. Install by ID. The -e option means an exact match, so winget does not pick a similar name.

   winget install --id Microsoft.PowerToys -e

4. If winget asks you to agree to terms for the source or the package, read them. If you agree, follow the prompt. If you do not agree, the program will not install.
5. If Windows shows a permission prompt (User Account Control), check that the program name matches, then select Yes.

When it finishes, the program is installed and appears in the Start menu. Most programs install in a minute or two.

Update and remove programs

1. To see which programs have updates, type this and press Enter.

   winget upgrade

2. To update one program, use its ID from the list.

   winget upgrade --id Microsoft.PowerToys

3. To update everything on the list, use winget upgrade --all. Microsoft advises running winget upgrade alone first so you can preview what will change.
4. To remove a program, use its ID.

   winget uninstall --id Microsoft.PowerToys

winget can also install from the Store catalog. Add -s msstore to a command, and use the Store ID shown in the search results. Other ways to remove programs are in how to uninstall programs.

If something goes wrong

• "winget is not recognized". Microsoft says winget is not available until you have signed in to Windows for the first time and the Store has registered it. Sign in, wait a few minutes, restart, or update App Installer in the Store.
• An install fails or stalls. Try the Store route or the publisher's official site. See app won't install or run.
• Windows shows a "Windows protected your PC" warning for something you downloaded outside these tools: see what the SmartScreen warning means.

Frequently asked questions