winget Package Manager#

Install packages#

Install by package ID (most reliable):

winget install --id Git.Git

Install silently (no UI prompts):

winget install --id Git.Git --silent

Install a specific version:

winget install --id Git.Git --version 2.44.0

Install multiple packages at once:

winget install --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode
winget install --id Volta.Volta
winget install --id Python.Python.3.12
winget install --id Docker.DockerDesktop

Search#

Search by keyword:

winget search "node"

Search by name prefix:

winget search --name "JetBrains"

Show full package info:

winget show --id Microsoft.VisualStudioCode

Upgrade#

Upgrade a specific package:

winget upgrade --id Git.Git

Upgrade all installed packages:

winget upgrade --all

List packages with available upgrades:

winget upgrade

Export & import (reproducible setup)#

Export all installed packages to JSON:

winget export --output packages.json

Import and install from JSON:

winget import --import-file packages.json --ignore-unavailable

Useful packages.json snippet#

{
  "$schema": "https://aka.ms/winget-packages.schema.2.0.json",
  "WinGetVersion": "1.8.0",
  "CreationDate": "2026-04-23",
  "Sources": [
    {
      "Packages": [
        { "PackageIdentifier": "Git.Git" },
        { "PackageIdentifier": "Microsoft.VisualStudioCode" },
        { "PackageIdentifier": "Volta.Volta" },
        { "PackageIdentifier": "Python.Python.3.12" },
        { "PackageIdentifier": "Notepad++.Notepad++" }
      ],
      "SourceDetails": {
        "Argument": "https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache",
        "Identifier": "Microsoft.Winget.Source_8wekyb3d8bbwe",
        "Name": "winget",
        "Type": "Microsoft.PreIndexed.Package"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Common IDs reference#