🖥️ How I Keep My Windows Apps Updated with a Single Command—And Why You Should Too
If you’ve ever stared at your cluttered desktop wondering which apps are up to date and which are silently lagging behind, you’re not alone. Windows users often face a fragmented update experience—some apps nag you at startup, others quietly skip updates, and a few seem to live in a time capsule. But what if I told you there’s a way to update most of your apps with just one command?
🚀 Enter WinGet: The Windows Package Manager
Built into Windows 10 and 11, WinGet is a powerful command-line tool that lets you install, remove, and—most importantly—update apps in bulk. It’s free, open-source, and already sitting quietly in your system, waiting to be unleashed.
🛠️ The Magic Command
Here’s the command that changed my update routine forever:
bash
winget upgrade --all
This simple line checks for updates across nearly all installed apps and upgrades them in one go. No more hunting down developer websites or manually launching update wizards.
đź“‹ Step-by-Step Guide
Connect to Wi-Fi – You’ll need internet access for updates.
Open Terminal as Admin – Search for “Terminal” in the Start menu, right-click, and choose “Run as administrator.”
Run the Command – Type
winget upgrade --all
and hit Enter.Accept Terms (First Time Only) – If it’s your first time, agree to the terms by pressing
Y
and Enter.Let It Work – WinGet scans your apps and updates the ones it can.
⚠️ A Few Caveats
Some apps update internally and won’t respond to WinGet. Keep a list of those and update them manually.
If the command doesn’t work, you might need to update the App Installer package using:
bash
winget upgrade Microsoft.AppInstaller
đź§Ľ Why This Matters
Updating apps isn’t just about shiny new features—it’s about security, performance, and peace of mind. Outdated software can be vulnerable to exploits or simply buggy. By integrating WinGet into your regular PC maintenance, you ensure your system stays lean, secure, and efficient.
🛍️ Bonus Tip: Microsoft Store Updates
For Microsoft apps, open the Store, go to Library, and click Get updates. It’s a quick way to catch anything WinGet might miss.
đź’ˇ Final Thoughts
WinGet is a hidden gem in Windows that deserves more attention. It’s fast, reliable, and dramatically simplifies the update process. Whether you’re a casual user or a power user juggling dozens of apps, this tool can save you time and headaches.
So next time your PC feels sluggish or outdated, don’t panic—just open Terminal and let WinGet do the heavy lifting.