Microsoft is currently rolling out a new version of Windows Package Manager in preview. With the release of version 1.3.1251 of the tool also known as winget, Microsoft is adding support for portable applications. There are other tweaks to the service, but that support seems to be the priority on this update.
If you’re unfamiliar with portable apps, they are software that does not need to be installed through the Microsoft Store or traditional exe/msi files. With a portable app, it is possible to extract the program files, place them in any folder, and run them on Windows.
Because they do not require installation, they can be stored externally and used across multiple Windows PCs.
For the latest preview of Windows Package Manager, Microsoft is adding portable app support, albeit with limitations. Specifically, users can install apps with local manifests, but they cannot uninstall or update portable software.
If you’re new to the Windows Package Manager, check out our complete tutorial on how to use the new development service.
Preview
Elsewhere in version 1.3.1251, Microsoft says the progress bar now looks better, while a setting for verbose logs is available. Check out the full details about the release on the Windows Package Manager GitHub repository. The preview is available to Windows Insiders on the Dev Channel and the Insider Program for the Package Manager.
Microsoft introduced Windows Package Manager (Winget) for Windows 10 at Build 2020. The new service gives developers a platform to efficiently download services to help app development. However, the new open-source solution found controversy after the creator of a similar tool argued Microsoft has stolen his idea.
Microsoft later admitted it should have credited Keivan Beigi for his work in getting WinGet off the ground.
Tip of the day: Windows now has a package manager similar to Linux called “Winget”. In our tutorial, we show you how to install and use this new tool that allows the quick installation of apps via PowerShell or a GUI.
