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Windows Package Manager

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Windows Package Manager is a comprehensive package manager solution that consists of a command line tool and set of services for installing applications on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Windows Package Manager for developers

Developers use the winget command line tool to discover, install, upgrade, remove and configure a curated set of applications. After it is installed, developers can access winget via the Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or the Command Prompt.

For more information, see Use the winget tool to install and manage applications.

For a video demo of winget, see Intro to Windows Package Manager.

For the latest announcements and version updates, see the Windows Command Line Blog, including:

Windows Package Manager for ISVs

Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) can use Windows Package Manager as a distribution channel for software packages containing their tools and applications. To submit software packages (containing .msix, .msi, or .exe installers) to Windows Package Manager, we provide the open source Microsoft Community Package Manifest Repository on GitHub where ISVs can upload package manifests to have their software packages considered for inclusion with Windows Package Manager. Manifests are automatically validated and may also be reviewed manually.

For more information, see Submit packages to Windows Package Manager.

Understanding package managers

A package manager is a system or set of tools used to automate installing, upgrading, configuring and using software. Most package managers are designed for discovering and installing developer tools.

Ideally, developers use a package manager to specify the prerequisites for the tools they need to develop solutions for a given project. The package manager then follows the declarative instructions to install and configure the tools. The package manager reduces the time spent getting an environment ready, and it helps ensure the same versions of packages are installed on their machine.

Third party package managers can leverage the Microsoft Community Package Manifest Repository to increase the size of their software catalog.