How to Install Apps With WinGet Instead of the Microsoft Store on Windows 11

The Microsoft Store is the default way to install apps on Windows 11. But it can be slow, bloated, or missing the exact version you need. WinGet, the Windows Package Manager, lets you install apps from the command line with one command. This article explains how to set up and use WinGet to install apps faster and with more control.

WinGet pulls software from a community-curated repository. It downloads the official installer from the publisher’s source. You skip the Store interface, avoid bundled bloat, and automate bulk installations. This guide covers installation, searching, and advanced commands.

You will learn how to install WinGet if it is missing, how to find apps, and how to write scripts to install multiple apps at once. The article also covers common mistakes and how to avoid them.

What Is WinGet and Why Use It Over the Microsoft Store

WinGet is a command-line tool built into Windows 11 and Windows 10 version 1809 and later. It connects to a community-maintained repository of software packages. When you run a command, WinGet downloads the official installer from the publisher’s website and runs it silently or with minimal prompts.

The Microsoft Store wraps apps in a sandboxed environment. Some apps in the Store are UWP versions that lack features compared to their desktop counterparts. WinGet installs the full desktop version. For example, installing 7-Zip via the Store gives you a limited UWP app. WinGet installs the full 7-Zip application with all context menu options.

WinGet also supports bulk operations. You can write a script that installs twenty apps in one command. This is useful when setting up a new PC or reinstalling Windows. The Store requires clicking each app individually.

Prerequisites: You need a Windows 11 PC with admin rights. WinGet is preinstalled on Windows 11 version 22H2 and later. If you are on an older build, you may need to install it manually. An internet connection is required to download packages.

Step-by-Step: Install and Use WinGet to Install Apps

Method 1: Install WinGet if It Is Missing

Open a terminal and type winget --version. If you see a version number, WinGet is installed. If you see an error, install it from the Microsoft Store or the GitHub release.

1. Open Microsoft Store
   Press the Windows key, type Microsoft Store, and press Enter.
2. Search for App Installer
   In the Store search bar, type App Installer. This is the package that includes WinGet.
3. Install App Installer
   Click the Install button. The download is about 10 MB. After installation, close and reopen your terminal.
4. Verify the installation
   Type winget --version in the terminal. You should see a version number like 1.7.10582.

Method 2: Search for an App Before Installing

Always search first. This confirms the app exists in the repository and shows the exact package ID.

1. Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt
   Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt (Admin).
2. Run the search command
   Type winget search firefox and press Enter. The output shows the name, ID, version, and source. For Firefox, the ID is Mozilla.Firefox.
3. Review the results
   Check the version column. If multiple versions exist, note the ID of the one you want. Most users want the latest stable version.

Method 3: Install a Single App

1. Open an admin terminal
   Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin).
2. Run the install command
   Type winget install --id Mozilla.Firefox -e and press Enter. The -e flag ensures an exact match on the ID.
3. Accept the license agreement
   Some apps display a license agreement. Type Y and press Enter to proceed. WinGet then downloads and installs the app silently.
4. Launch the app
   After the command completes, you can find the app in the Start menu or type its name in the search bar.

Method 4: Install Multiple Apps in One Command

You can chain multiple install commands using && or use a script file. This is ideal for setting up a new machine.

1. Open an admin terminal
   Press Windows + X and select Terminal (Admin).
2. Run a chained command
   Type: winget install --id 7zip.7zip -e && winget install --id Google.Chrome -e && winget install --id VideoLAN.VLC -e
3. Wait for all installations
   WinGet processes each command sequentially. When all complete, all three apps are installed.

Method 5: Export and Import App Lists

This feature lets you save a list of installed apps and reinstall them later on another PC.

1. Export the current app list
   In an admin terminal, type winget export -o C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\apps.json. Replace YourName with your username.
2. Transfer the JSON file
   Copy the apps.json file to the new PC via USB or cloud storage.
3. Import the app list
   On the new PC, open an admin terminal and type winget import -i C:\Path\To\apps.json. WinGet installs every app in the file.

Common Mistakes and Things to Avoid When Using WinGet

Running WinGet Without Admin Rights

Most app installations require admin privileges. If you run winget install in a non-admin terminal, you see an error: Access is denied. Always launch Terminal or Command Prompt as Administrator. Right-click the Start button and select Terminal (Admin).

Using the Wrong Package ID

Typing winget install firefox might install a different app if multiple packages have similar names. Always use the --id flag with the exact ID from the search results. For example, winget install --id Mozilla.Firefox -e guarantees the correct app.

Forgetting to Update the Repository

The WinGet repository updates frequently. Run winget source update before searching for new apps. This ensures you see the latest versions. If you skip this step, you might install an outdated version.

Installing Apps That Require Interactive Setup

Most apps install silently with WinGet. Some apps, like certain antivirus tools, open an interactive installer. WinGet cannot complete these installations unattended. Check the app’s documentation or search for a silent install flag. If the app requires clicks, use the Store or the publisher’s website instead.

Conflicting App Versions From Different Sources

If you previously installed an app from the Store or a manual installer, WinGet might install a different version. This can create conflicts. Before installing via WinGet, uninstall the existing version from Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Then run the WinGet command.

Item	Microsoft Store	WinGet
Installation method	Graphical interface with clicks	Command line with one command
App types available	UWP and some desktop apps	Full desktop apps from official sources
Bulk installation	Not supported natively	Supported via chaining or JSON export/import
Offline installation	Requires Store cache	Can use downloaded installers
Admin rights needed	Not always required	Always required for desktop apps
Automatic updates	Managed by Store	Manual via winget upgrade

You can now install apps on Windows 11 using WinGet instead of the Microsoft Store. The command-line approach saves time, especially when setting up multiple machines. Start by running winget search to find the exact package ID, then use winget install --id to deploy it. For advanced users, the winget export and winget import commands automate full PC setups. To keep your apps updated, run winget upgrade --all weekly. This method gives you full control over what gets installed and where it comes from.