How to Use the winget Upgrade Command on Windows 11

I’ve been using Windows for years, and one thing I’ve learned is that keeping apps updated is non-negotiable. Outdated software is like leaving your front door unlocked—hackers can sneak in through old vulnerabilities. But manually updating apps? That’s a tedious task.

Luckily, Windows 11 has a built-in tool called winget, and its upgrade command is a game-changer. Let me walk you through how it works, step by step.

Why Software Updates Matter (Even If You Hate Them)

Before we dive into commands, let’s talk about why updates are critical:

1. Security Patches: Developers fix loopholes that hackers exploit.
2. New Features: Updates often add tools to make apps faster or easier to use.
3. Compatibility: Newer apps might not work with outdated versions.

Manually updating every app is time-consuming. That’s where winget upgrade comes in—it automates the process with a few commands.

---

What Is winget?

winget is a command-line package manager for Windows 11. Think of it as a “control centre” for installing, updating, and removing apps. The upgrade subcommand specifically handles updates.

---

Getting Started: Open Terminal as Admin

First, you’ll need to open Windows Terminal (or Command Prompt/PowerShell) as Administrator:

1. Press Win + S, type Terminal.
2. Right-click Windows Terminal and select Run as administrator.

# Always run winget commands in an elevated terminal

---

Use Case 1: List All Available Updates

Want to see which apps need updates? Use winget list:

winget list

This shows all installed apps and highlights those with pending updates.

Filter for Specific Apps

To check updates for a single app (like Firefox):

winget list firefox

Replace firefox with the app name you want to check.

---

Use Case 2: Update All Apps at Once

To update every outdated app in one go:

winget upgrade --all

This command scans your system and installs updates for all eligible apps.

---

Understanding the Winget Upgrade Command

Let’s break down the syntax so you can customise it for your needs:

winget upgrade [options] [package_name]

Key Arguments

• --all: Updates all apps (as shown above).
• -q or --query: Searches for updates matching a keyword.
  Example:

  winget upgrade -q "adobe reader"

---

Advanced Options for Power Users

Silent Installs (No Pop-Ups)

Add --silent to install updates without interruptions:

winget upgrade --all --silent

Force Updates (Even If Denied)

Use --force to override any blocks:

winget upgrade "chrome" --force

Skip Prompts with --accept-package-agreements

Automatically accept license terms:

winget upgrade "vlc" --accept-package-agreements

---

Troubleshooting Common Errors

Error: “No installed package found”

This means Winget doesn’t recognise the app. Fix it by:

1. Checking the exact app name with winget list.
2. Using the package ID instead of the app name.

Example:

winget upgrade Microsoft.VisualStudioCode

Error: “Administrator rights required”

Always run Terminal as Administrator before executing commands.

---

Limitations of winget upgrade

While powerful, Winget has some quirks:

1. Beta Status: Some apps might not update correctly.
2. Version Conflicts: Apps with non-standard versioning (e.g., “2024.1a”) might confuse winget.
3. Repository Gaps: Not all apps are in Microsoft’s repository.

---

Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Step 1: Check the current Winget version

Ensure you’re using the latest winget:

winget --version

Step 2: Update Winget (If Needed)

winget upgrade Microsoft.Winget.CLI

Step 3: Scan for App Updates

winget upgrade

Step 4: Apply Updates

winget upgrade --all

Questions that people have about Winget

Q: Can I update drivers with Winget?

No—winget handles apps, not drivers. Use Windows Update for drivers.

Q: How do I exclude certain apps from updates?

Currently, Winget lacks an exclusion feature. You’ll need to update apps individually.

Q: Why does Winget skip some apps?

The app might not be in Microsoft’s repository. Check with:

winget search "app_name"

Best Practices

1. Weekly Updates: Run winget upgrade --all weekly.
2. Backup First: Use winget export to save a list of installed apps:

   winget export -o C:\apps.json

3. Review Changes: After updates, restart your machine to ensure stability.

Final Thoughts

The winget upgrade command saves hours of manual work. While it’s not flawless, it’s the closest thing to an “auto-update” button for Windows 11. Give it a try; your future self will thank you for fewer security headaches.

For more details, check Microsoft’s official winget documentation.