Are winget apps the same as Microsoft Store apps?

Hello Deok,

Thank you for your question and for reaching out with your question today.

Winget and Microsoft Store are two different platforms for installing and managing applications on Windows, and their app catalogs may not be exactly the same. Here's a breakdown of the differences:

Winget:

• Winget is a command-line package manager for Windows developed by Microsoft.
• It allows users to search for, install, update, and uninstall applications directly from the command line using a simple syntax.
• Winget primarily focuses on open-source and command-line applications, but it also includes some mainstream applications from trusted sources.
• The catalog of applications available in Winget is curated and managed by Microsoft, but it may not cover all applications available on the wider internet or the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft Store:

• The Microsoft Store (previously known as Windows Store) is an app store built into Windows.
• It offers a wide range of applications, including both free and paid apps, from various developers and publishers.
• The Microsoft Store is user-friendly and allows users to browse, search, and install applications with a graphical user interface.
• It includes mainstream applications, games, utilities, productivity tools, and more.

Differences and Overlaps:

• While there is some overlap between the applications available on Winget and the Microsoft Store, they are not identical. Winget focuses more on open-source and command-line applications, while the Microsoft Store includes a broader range of applications, including UWP (Universal Windows Platform) apps.
• Some applications available on the Microsoft Store may not be listed on Winget, and vice versa.
• Winget might be more suitable for users who prefer a command-line interface and are interested in open-source applications or software readily available through package managers.

In summary, while there may be some overlap between the apps available on Winget and the Microsoft Store, they are not entirely the same. If you are specifically looking for applications from the Microsoft Store, it's best to use the Microsoft Store app to search for and install those applications. If you want to explore open-source and command-line applications, Winget can be a valuable tool for managing and installing them directly from the command line.

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Best regards.

Typical AI - many words, little useful information. Here is the real answer: NO. Winget Apps and Microsoft Store apps are not the same, at least not when it comes to the way they are installed. "Winget apps" is like downloading software from the developer and installing it via the provided setup with all the choices. "Microsoft Store apps" is like visiting the store and using the download option. Microsoft Store apps can only be installed for the current user (the user who runs the command), they are installed in C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\ . The option "--scope machine" won't work. Which means if a machine is used by multiple users, you will need to install the software for each user separately. Winget Apps will be installed by default in whatever the developer sets as the default path, which - in case of a machine-wide install - is usually C:\Program Files\ and therefore they will be available to ALL users on the machine BUT to install them machine-wide administrator privileges are required. Winget Apps also typically allow the usage of the options, see: https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/package-manager/winget/install For example the options: --scope --version --architecture --locale --installer-type --custom --override --rename won't work with msstore.