Microsoft announced a couple of days ago the Windows Package Manager, a new concept that Linux users know very well and that aims to make installing programs much simpler.
Windows Package Manager is a new system inspired by the Linux world, that is why it was announced during the Microsoft Build, the developer conference that was held a couple of days ago.
As many of us know, Microsoft is interested in copying some of the functions of Linux and after releasing Windows Subsystem for Linux, including the second version that will arrive in the May 2020 update, it makes a lot of sense that they now release a package manager.
And it is thanks to the package manager that Microsoft makes Windows 10 feel familiar to Linux users and this is essential considering that the Linux community has grown a lot recently.
By launching a package manager, Microsoft makes it clear that there is room for everyone in Windows 10, including Linux users.
And there is no doubt that Linux users will love this new feature, especially those who installed the subsystem on their devices.
How to use Windows Package Manager
Linux users will find that it is very easy to use the package manager and it all comes down to the command winget, for example, to install a program you should only use:
winget install app name
You can use all these self-explanatory commands:
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hash
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help
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install
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search
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Show
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source
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validate
The applications that can be installed with winget they first have to be manually validated by Microsoft. This is the main reason why Microsoft decided to create its own package manager and not use an open project.
At the moment, Windows Package Manager is still a preview, which means it is a work in progress and the final version will arrive later.
Microsoft has launched the program Windows Package Insider, which essentially allows you to test this new tool before it goes out to the general public, you can apply for this program at this link.