How to Install Multiple Programs at Once on Windows With winget

6 Nov 2026

To install several programs at once on Windows, open Terminal and run one winget install command for each program, joined with a semicolon. winget is Microsoft's own package tool, and it is included with current versions of Windows 11 and Windows 10, so you do not need to download an installer tool first.

If you would rather tick boxes than type IDs, our Bulk Installer builds the command for you.

The command to use

Right-click Start and open Terminal. Paste this and press Enter:

winget install --id 7zip.7zip -e; winget install --id VideoLAN.VLC -e; winget install --id Mozilla.Firefox -e

Here is what each part does:

--id tells winget to look for a package ID instead of a name, which avoids installing the wrong program.
-e means an exact match, so a similar package name will not be picked by mistake.
The semicolon starts the next install when the last one finishes, even if the last one failed.

To run without being asked to accept each licence, add --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements to each install. This means you agree to those licences without reading them, so use it only for programs you already know.

Find the right package ID

Run winget search vlc and read the Id column. Check the publisher part of the ID, such as VideoLAN in VideoLAN.VLC. If several results look alike, choose the one from the company you recognise. Every program page on FileConsult also shows its winget ID, for example Visual Studio Code.

Install a ready-made set

Our software lists by profession each include one command that installs the whole set. There are lists for developers, students, accountants and others. Read the list first and remove anything you do not want.

Move your programs to a new PC

winget can also save a list of what you have installed, then install the same programs elsewhere:

On the old PC, run winget export -o apps.json.
Copy apps.json to the new PC.
On the new PC, run winget import -i apps.json.

Only programs that winget can match are saved in the list. It does not copy your settings, documents or licence keys, so back those up separately.

Keep everything updated

Run winget upgrade to see which programs are out of date, and winget upgrade --all to update them. Save your work first, because programs may close while they update. See Update My PC for the full steps.

If something goes wrong

"winget is not recognized": open the Microsoft Store, search for App Installer and update it. Then open a new Terminal window.
A permission prompt appears for each program: this is normal for programs that install for all users. If you are setting up many programs, you can run Terminal as administrator, but only do this with commands you trust.
Installer hash does not match: the publisher may have replaced the file since the catalog was updated. Run winget source update and try again later. Do not override this check, because it exists to catch changed files.
No package found: run winget source update, then search again. Some programs are not in the catalog, so you need to get those from the publisher.

What winget does not do

winget installs what the publisher provides, using settings the publisher chose. It does not pick a custom install folder for every program, and it does not set up your accounts or preferences. The catalog is maintained by Microsoft and community contributors, and it can lag behind a publisher's newest release. For most everyday programs, though, it is the fastest way to set up a Windows PC.