How to update apps via winget command on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can quickly update one or all your apps with a single command using the Windows Package Manager (winget) command-line tool without the need for the Microsoft Store.

Although you can update apps individually, it takes many steps and a long time to update them. The Windows Package Manager is a command-line tool alternative to installing and maintaining apps. The tool is designed to save you time and frustration by automating the process of searching, downloading, installing, updating, and configuring virtually any app, including Microsoft Store apps, traditional (win32) programs, and web apps that you originally acquired using the Windows Package Manager.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to download and install updates for apps on Windows 11 without the Microsoft Store using the Windows Package Manager (winget) command-line tool.

Update an app on Windows 11 from winget
Update all apps on Windows 11 from winget

Update an app on Windows 11 from winget

To update an app using the winget command, use these steps:

Open Start on Windows 11.
Search for Command Prompt (or PowerShell), right-click the top result and select the Run as administrator option.
Type this command to list all the apps with updates on Windows 11 and press Enter:
```
winget upgrade
```
Type this command to update the app and press Enter:
```
winget upgrade -h --id APP-ID
```
In the command, change the APP-ID for the ID of the app to install on Windows 11. The -h option runs the installer silently, hiding all UI. However, if elevation is needed, you will still get the prompt. For example, this command updates the PowerToys app to the latest release.
```
winget upgrade -h --id Microsoft.PowerToys
```

Once you complete the steps, the application will update to the latest version available from the Windows Package Manager repository.

If you prefer the traditional methods, you can update your apps with the Microsoft Store or manually through the app’s settings.

Update all apps on Windows 11 from winget

To update all apps with a single command using winget, use these steps:

Open Start.
Search for Command Prompt (or PowerShell), right-click the top result and select the Run as administrator option.
(Optional) Type this command to list all the apps with updates on Windows 11 and press Enter:
```
winget upgrade
```
Type this command to update all the apps to their latest versions and press Enter:
```
winget upgrade -h --all
```

After you complete the steps, the winget tool will download and install the updates for all the apps installed on Windows 11.

Using this method, you can only update apps installed using the Windows Package Manager. Applications installed from different sources won’t update through this process. Also, if you, later on, update the app using the other update technology, you will lose the ability to update the app through the Windows Package Manager.

This guide focuses on Windows 11, but the tool will also work on the latest release of Windows 10.