Windows Package Manager: A Community-Driven App Repository
If you've ever spent way too much time hunting down installer files or wrestling with chocolatey scripts, Microsoft's new approach to package management might just catch your eye. The Windows Package Manager (winget) is Microsoft's official answer to streamlined software installation on Windows, but what makes it truly interesting is how they're building it.
The winget-pkgs repository represents a fundamental shift in how Microsoft handles application distribution. Instead of a closed, curated app store, they've opened up the package manifest process to the entire community on GitHub. This means developers and enthusiasts can directly contribute to making software installation better for everyone.
What It Does
Windows Package Manager is a command-line tool that lets you quickly install, update, and manage applications on Windows systems. Think of it like apt-get for Ubuntu or Homebrew for macOS, but for Windows. The winget-pkgs repository hosts all the package manifests—the metadata that tells winget where to find applications, how to install them, and what dependencies they might have.
Each folder in the repository represents a different application, containing YAML files that define where the installer lives, what version it is, and the commands needed for silent installation. When you run winget install vscode, the client checks these manifests to find the right download and installation instructions.
Why It's Cool
The community-driven aspect is what sets this apart. Anyone can submit a pull request to add new applications or update existing ones. Found a newer version of your favorite tool? You can contribute the update yourself rather than waiting for Microsoft to catch up.
This approach solves several pain points simultaneously. It keeps package information current through crowd-sourcing, provides transparency into how installations work (no more mystery about what an installer is doing), and creates a living ecosystem where popular applications get maintained quickly. The validation automation that checks each submission helps maintain quality while still enabling rapid updates.
How to Try It
You'll need Windows 10 (version 1709 or later) or Windows 11. The easiest way to get started is by installing the App Installer from the Microsoft Store, which includes winget. Alternatively, you can download the latest release directly from the winget-cli GitHub repository.
Once installed, open PowerShell or Command Prompt and try some basic commands:
# Search for an application
winget search vscode
# Install an application
winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode
# See installed applications
winget list
# Update all installed applications
winget upgrade --all
The repository itself is worth browsing too—you can see how different applications are configured and even contribute back if you notice something missing or outdated.
Final Thoughts
As developers, we've been cobbling together installation workflows for years—downloading executables, maintaining internal script repositories, or relying on third-party package managers. Having a first-party solution that embraces open collaboration feels like a step in the right direction. The learning curve is minimal if you're familiar with other package managers, and the ability to script development environment setups could be a real productivity boost.
It's still early days, and some rough edges remain, but the community-driven model gives me confidence that this will quickly become the standard way to manage software on Windows. Worth keeping an eye on, and maybe even contributing to if you use Windows for development.
Follow for more open-source project highlights: @githubprojects