Explain the purpose of Windows Package Manager

  • 3 minutes

What is Windows Package Manager?

A package manager is a system or set of tools used to automate installing, upgrading, and configuring software.

Windows Package Manager is a comprehensive package manager solution that consists of a command-line tool and set of services for installing applications. To use Windows Package Manager you need to be running Windows 10 (version 1809 or greater).

Two basic terms you should keep in mind with respect to Windows Package Manager are:

  • A package represents an app, application, or program.

  • A manifest is a file (or set of data) containing meta-data providing descriptive elements for a package and the location of the installer, and the installers SHA256 hash. The Windows Package Manager obtains manifests from sources such as the default source available for the community repository. Additional sources may be a REST API-based service provided by an enterprise or other party. You can also use a manifest from a path available locally on the machine.