The easiest and most reliable method for most users is installing the "App Installer" package from the Microsoft Store. While this uses the Store interface, it is the official distribution method. However, if you strictly want a PowerShell-only approach, skip to Method 2.
This script checks GitHub for the latest stable Winget release, downloads the MSIX bundle, and installs it as an Appx package. Note that it requires an active internet connection and may need the Visual C++ redistributable on very old systems.
It is worth noting how Winget stacks up against the competition in the current ecosystem. While Winget is the official Microsoft solution, alternatives like Scoop and Chocolatey have specific strengths.
Use WinGet to install and manage applications | Microsoft Learn install winget using powershell updated
In restricted environments like Windows Server 2025 or Windows Sandbox, the Microsoft Store isn't available to handle background updates. You must manually install the dependencies before the WinGet bundle.
This comprehensive guide provides updated, practical solutions for installing WinGet using PowerShell. Whether you are setting up a new development environment, managing servers, or automating enterprise deployments, this article covers every method you need in 2026.
Double-click the file or run the following in PowerShell (admin): The easiest and most reliable method for most
Get-AppxPackage -Name Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller | Reset-AppxPackage
Navigate to the directory where you downloaded the file (e.g., cd C:\Users\YourUser\Downloads ).
This command will download and install the winget package. This script checks GitHub for the latest stable
Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers -Name "Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller" | Foreach Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard 4. Basic WinGet Usage Tips
To install Winget using PowerShell, follow these steps:
Refer to Microsoft's official documentation for the complete system requirements.
The PATH variable hasn't updated, or the App Installer isn't installed. Fix:
However, this may fail if the Store source is not available. Therefore, the GitHub method is more reliable for offline or enterprise systems.