Winget-cli: Install Microsoft Store Apps

[denelon]

From MVP Summit feedback:

Will there be a way to automate installation of Store apps? I have a script I run to install my programs after Windows reinstall with Chocolatey, but I have to install Microsoft Store apps manually afterwards, which is a bit annoying.

[maxkatz6]

How should it work with MS Store Policies?

10.1.5
Your app may promote or distribute software only through the Microsoft Store.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/publish/store-policies#101-distinct-function--value-accurate-representation

By the way, I would love to see store apps in winget too.

[Jasius]

How should it work with MS Store Policies?

10.1.5
Your app may promote or distribute software only through the Microsoft Store.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/uwp/publish/store-policies#101-distinct-function--value-accurate-representation

By the way, I would love to see store apps in winget too.

I think you're misunderstanding what it means. It means that lets say a DLC for a game which is promoted within the game would be purchasable/downloadable through Windows store instead of leading you to third party service.

[yaichenbaum]

@maxkatz6 I don't think it's an issue since Microsoft can make exceptions for it's own software, for example if you try to get Microsoft Office through the store it will redirect you to download the installer from the Microsoft website.

[blogcraft]

@maxkatz6 I don't think it's an issue since Microsoft can make exceptions for it's own software, for example if you try to get Microsoft Office through the store it will redirect you to download the installer from the Microsoft website.

I hate when that happens (if I used the store I expect the store download the app and updates it when necessary)

[ThomasAunvik]

I feel like it should have already been an option to install an app from microsoft store via cli. Since that would be just sending install arguments to the executable.
But im guessing there isn't and that's why we now have winget.
Cant seem to get anything out of WinStore.App.exe executable either (missing dll errors).

[RobCannon]

The Microsoft Store never really had that option. There are some ways to sideload apps from a command line. If the Store had that command line option and it embraced other application types (like command line apps and Win32 apps), we probably wouldn't have needed this project.

[yaichenbaum]

I seem to remember that the Microsoft Store does have a way to install apps through a cli, it just isn't available for use outside of Microsoft.

[aetos382]

To install apps from the Microsoft Store, I need to sign in to the store with my Microsoft account.
All the applications I have installed are recorded in my Microsoft account.
If winget supports installing apps from the Microsoft Store, do I need to sign in to my Microsoft account through the winget cli?

There are also paid applications in the Microsoft Store.
Can I purchase a paid application through the winget cli?
(Maybe this shouldn't be possible. I think, I should only be able to install the apps I've purchased).

[AkazaRenn]

One of the greatest complaints for Windows Store is that it cannot be easily managed by domain owners, and it could be solved by proceeding this issue. By the way I believe Window Store is the "ultimate solution" where every programs/apps should be, and winget only needs to be a command line version of it - like the Ubuntu Snap Store.

[ThomasAunvik]

When i think about it, there are games in Windows Store, would it really be optimal for example to download Halo MCC via winget.

[dev-nicolaos]

One of the greatest complaints for Windows Store is that it cannot be easily managed by domain owners, and it could be solved by proceeding this issue. By the way I believe Window Store is the "ultimate solution" where every programs/apps should be, and winget only needs to be a command line version of it - like the Ubuntu Snap Store.

Really disagree with the second half of this. Every attempt Microsoft has made with Windows to limit software installations to just the Microsoft Store has been negatively received. Windows is simply not a walled garden ecosystem. I think the Store is a cool idea, but it's clear that many developers have no intention of moving their apps in there.

That being said, I think it's important that winget can mange Store applications so that it can be a one stop shop (or as close to that as possible) for managing software. That also helps with the domain owners management issue, as you could potentially just disable the Store all together in the Group Policy and run everything through winget.

[dev-nicolaos]

There are also paid applications in the Microsoft Store.
Can I purchase a paid application through the winget cli?
(Maybe this shouldn't be possible. I think, I should only be able to install the apps I've purchased).

This is an interesting challenge. One approach (at least at first) would be to require users to make the purchase through the Microsoft Store, then sign in to winget to be able to download the app. I do really hope MS doesn't require sign in to use winget for free stuff on the web, but I'd understand the need to do so for paid Store apps.

[plastikfan]

From MVP Summit feedback:

Will there be a way to automate installation of Store apps? I have a script I run to install my programs after Windows reinstall with Chocolatey, but I have to install Microsoft Store apps manually afterwards, which is a bit annoying.

And how do you handle some apps installing for the current user only and other apps installing for all users. At the moment, this is a total mess on Windows. Application installation is inconsistent and there seems to be this misguided assumption that a host machine only has one account. In this scenario, then signing in with Microsoft account and install from the store seems ok. But when you have multiple accounts on the same system, which all need access to the same apps, this model simply does not work.

[denelon]

It looks like "The Nightingale REST API Client" will meet initial requirements for a store App inclusion in terms of "Free" and "Rated E for Everyone". https://github.com/jenius-apps/nightingale-rest-api-client/issues/69

[dpaulino]

@denelon thanks for that update. Quick question: Nightingale has IAPs. Will this winget installation process break a customer's ability to access/purchase those IAPs?

[denelon]

@dpaulino I don't believe it will, but let me confirm with a test.

[superusercode]

I feel like being able to get paid apps would be important for this implementation. There are a lot of apps on the store that are pay-gated (i.e. paint.net, krita, etc.) for the purpose of providing streamlined updates from the store. Even some windows components on the store and microsoft products (i.e. HEVC extension pack, paid microsoft-provided wallpapers, and minecraft [java version cannot be distributed via winget]) would not be installable without support.

[denelon]

@denelon Demitrius Nelon FTE thanks for that update. Quick question: Nightingale has IAPs. Will this winget installation process break a customer's ability to access/purchase those IAPs?

@dpaulino winget search nightingale will display the Microsoft Store version of Nightingale (if you have the experimental feature enabled).

winget install "Nightingale REST Client" will install it by name
winget install 43891JeniusApps.NightingaleRESTAPIClient will install it by ID

[massijay]

This is life changer! I've just reinstalled Windows 10 yesterday and installing all apps I need from the MS Store was such a pain, the possibility to create a script to install my (already purchased) apps from the store using winget would be awesome.

Please allow all apps in the Store to be installed with winget, at least those which are already purchased by the logged user

[JasonWei512]

Same. I hope we can install ANY app in the store with WinGet. At present manual search-and-install of a list of apps is such a pain.

[plastikfan]

Yeah that sounds great.