This Forgotten Windows Utility Instantly Updates Your Apps

A Hidden Windows Tool That Simplifies Updates

Most people find updating apps on Windows confusing. Some apps update themselves automatically. Others require you to update them manually. You may need to open the Microsoft Store, find an app’s own update checker, or download a fresh installer from a website. This creates a mess where no two apps update the same way.

Windows actually includes a hidden tool that fixes this: Winget.

Winget is a built-in package manager that can update almost any app on your computer. Most users never hear about it because Windows does not advertise it. But once you use it, updating apps becomes fast and easy. With one simple command, you can upgrade dozens of apps in seconds.

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What Is Winget and Why It Matters

Winget is a package manager that comes pre-installed on Windows. A package manager is a tool that installs, updates, and manages software. It acts like an app store, but it is faster, more flexible, and more powerful.

Linux users have relied on package managers for years. Windows users, however, often miss out because they are not taught about Winget.

Unlike an app store, Winget can handle programs from many different places. It pulls apps from the Microsoft Store, GitHub, developer websites, and more. This means you can update apps you installed manually, not just apps from the Store.

Most importantly, Winget allows you to update everything through a single command, making manual updates nearly obsolete.

Why Manual Updates Are a Hassle

Updating software manually wastes time.
Some apps offer automatic updates. Others notify you when a new version is ready. Some drivers update through Windows Update. Still, many programs require you to visit a website, download an installer, and go through the setup yourself.

This patchwork system is inconvenient. It forces users to remember where each app came from and how it updates.

Winget removes that confusion. With it, you manage updates from one place with almost no effort.

How to Use Winget to Update Apps

Using Winget is simple. Open the Windows Terminal or PowerShell. Then, type:

bashCopyEditwinget list

This command shows all the programs Winget can detect on your computer. The list includes apps from the Microsoft Store, apps installed from websites, and open-source apps from GitHub.

Once you have the list, you can either update apps individually or update everything at once.

Update a Single App

If you want to update just one app, find its name in the list. Then type:

bashCopyEditwinget upgrade "App Name"

Make sure you place quotation marks around the app name if it has spaces. Without them, the Terminal might get confused.

For example, to update Audacity, you would type:

bashCopyEditwinget upgrade "Audacity 3.7.0"

Winget will then download and install the latest version automatically. Sometimes the app may ask you for a few clicks to finish the update.

Update All Apps at Once

To update every app at the same time, type:

bashCopyEditwinget upgrade --all

This tells Winget to find updates for every app it can manage and apply them.

Be ready for a few pop-up prompts from some apps. If you have many programs installed, it could take a few minutes. Still, it is far easier than checking each program individually.

Other Useful Winget Commands

Winget can do more than just update apps. Here are a few useful commands:

• winget show: Displays information about a package. Helpful if you want to check the app version or origin.
• winget search: Helps you find a specific app installed on your system.
• winget list: Lists all apps that Winget can detect.
• winget source: Lets you add more repositories. This expands where you can download apps from.
• winget uninstall: Uninstalls any app Winget can find.
• winget help: Lists all commands and explains what they do.

These commands make Winget a powerful tool not just for updating, but for managing all your software.

Why Winget Is the Best Solution

Winget solves one of Windows’ biggest annoyances. Instead of checking multiple sources for updates, Winget gives you a single, clean solution.

You no longer need to open different apps, run different updaters, or search websites manually. Winget handles everything efficiently.

If you have never used Winget before, now is the time. This forgotten Windows utility can save you hours of frustration and keep your PC safer by making sure all your apps stay up to date.

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