Microsoft has built a Windows Package Manager (winget) that lets you discover, install, upgrade, remove, and set up one or multiple applications on Windows 10 using command lines.
Although using winget to install one app is easy, when you need download and install multiple apps the required command can be complex, and this is when “winstall” comes in handy.
winstall is a web app started by Mehedi Hassan on GitHub that connects to the Microsoft’s app repository and allows you to visually select apps you want to install, and it generates a script automatically, which you can then use to bulk install apps on Windows 10 using winget.
In this guide, you’ll learn the steps to use winstall to generate a script to install multiple apps using winget on Windows 10.
How to install multiple apps using winstall and winget
To install multiple apps using winstall and winget, use these steps:
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Click the View All button.
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Select the apps that you want to install by clicking them twice.
winstall select apps Quick tip: You’ll know the item is selected when it has a purple border. You can click the app to deselect it or click the Clear Selections button. -
Click the Generate script button.
winget script -
Click the Copy to clipboard button.
Quick note: The default output is to use winget with Command Prompt, and you must turn on the Show PowerShell script toggle switch to modify the script to use it on PowerShell. Also, you can even download a “.bat” file to automate the installation process on your device. -
Open Start.
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Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
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Right-click and paste (Ctrl + V) the winget script to install the apps and press Enter.
winget command multiple apps install For example, this script installs Atom, VLC, and 1Password:
winget install --id=AgileBits.1Password -e && winget install --id=twinkstar.browser -e && winget install --id=VideoLAN.VLC -e
Once you complete the steps, the apps will download and install on your Windows 10 device automatically.
You can use the Windows Package Manager without administrator privileges, but you’ll be prompted to elevate, and if you choose not to elevate, the installation will fail.
The Windows Package Manager still in preview, which means that you’ll need to be part of the Windows Insider Program with a machine enrolled in the Fast ring to access the tool.
You may also be able to install a preview of the App Installer on Windows 10 version 2004 from the Microsoft Store.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.