Windows Package Manager (winget) Guide¶

The Windows Package Manager (winget) allows for native, automated searching, installation, and upgrading of applications. Ensure you run your terminal (Command Prompt or PowerShell) as Administrator for these commands to execute properly without UAC interruptions.

1. Searching for a Package¶

Before installing or upgrading a specific application, use the search command to find its exact Package.ID.

Command:

winget search "<Application Name>"

Examples: * winget search "Google Chrome" * winget search "Visual Studio Code"

2. Installing a Package¶

To deploy an application silently without user interaction, use the install command followed by the package ID and the required automation flags.

Standard Command:

winget install <Package.ID> --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements

Common Installation Examples:

Application	Automation Command
Google Chrome	`winget install Google.Chrome --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements`
Git	`winget install Git.Git --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements`
7-Zip	`winget install 7zip.7zip --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements`
VS Code	`winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements`

3. Upgrading Packages¶

You can keep your installed software up to date by upgrading a single targeted application or updating every eligible package on your system simultaneously.

Upgrade a Single Package:

winget upgrade <Package.ID> --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements

Upgrade ALL Packages:

winget upgrade --all --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements

Automation Flags Explained¶

These flags are essential for zero-touch deployments via scripts (Intune, SCCM, batch files):

Parameter	Description
`--silent`	Runs the installer in the background without an interactive UI. (Note: Effectiveness depends on the specific software installer).
`--accept-package-agreements`	Automatically accepts all software license agreements, suppressing user consent prompts.
`--accept-source-agreements`	Automatically accepts agreements for the configured package sources (e.g., Microsoft Store).
`--all`	(Upgrade only) Instructs winget to update all installed packages with a recognized available update.