How to Install WinGet in PowerShell

If winget is not working in PowerShell, the fix is direct: install or repair App Installer. Microsoft delivers WinGet through App Installer on supported systems, so you never install it as a separate tool.

This guide shows the exact steps to enable WinGet, fix the “not recognized” error, and start using it immediately.

WinGet is a command-line tool that lets you install, update, remove, and manage applications directly from PowerShell. It acts as the client interface for the Windows Package Manager.

Step 1: Check if WinGet Is Already Installed

Open PowerShell and run:

winget --version

If you see a version → WinGet works
If you see “not recognized” → continue below

Step 2: Install App Installer (Required for WinGet)

Run this command in PowerShell to open the App Installer Store page:

start ms-windows-store://pdp/?ProductId=9NBLGGH4NNS1

Note: This command opens the Store listing — click Install or Update manually, then close and reopen PowerShell before continuing.

Now run:

winget --version

WinGet should work immediately.

Step 3: Fix “WinGet Not Recognized” Error

If App Installer is already installed but winget still fails, register it manually.

Run PowerShell as Administrator:

Add-AppxPackage -RegisterByFamilyName -MainPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller_8wekyb3d8bbwe

Note: This only works if App Installer is already downloaded but not registered. If the command fails silently, App Installer may be missing entirely — return to Step 2.

Step 4: Verify App Installer Installation

Run:

Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller

If no result appears, App Installer is missing. Install it from the Microsoft Store (Step 2).

Requirements You Must Meet

WinGet works only on supported systems:

Windows 11
Windows 10 version 1809 (build 17763) or later
Windows Server 2025

Unsupported systems will not run WinGet.

How to Use WinGet After Installation

Once enabled, you can install apps directly from PowerShell.

Search for an app

winget search chrome

Install the app

winget install Google.Chrome

WinGet downloads and installs the application automatically.

WinGet Setup for Enterprise and IT-Managed PCs

If the Microsoft Store is disabled by your IT policy, you can install WinGet manually. Download the latest release package (github.com/microsoft/winget-cli/releases) and install the .msixbundle file directly.

Common Fix If WinGet Still Fails

If winget still does not work after all steps above:

Restart your PC
Sign out and sign back into Windows
Update Windows fully via Settings → Windows Update
Ensure Microsoft Store is enabled and up to date

WinGet registers during user login through the Store system process.

You install WinGet in PowerShell by installing or repairing App Installer from the Microsoft Store. If winget still fails after installation, re-register it using the Add-AppxPackage command in an elevated PowerShell session. On supported Windows versions, this restores the winget command and enables full package management from PowerShell.