This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Ahmed Aidev
In this guide, I’ll show you how to automate installing Windows apps using tools like Ninite, Chocolatey, Scoop, and Winget. You’ll learn the fastest ways to install, update, and uninstall software — without clicking through endless installers or pop-ups. We’ll also compare these automation tools with the Microsoft Store and manual installation, so you can choose the best method for your workflow.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Ninite
-
Chocolatey
- Chocolatey: Setup
- Chocolatey: Install Apps
- Chocolatey: Install Multiple Apps
-
Scoop
- Scoop: Setup
- Scoop: Install Apps
- Scoop: Install Multiple Apps
-
Winget
- Winget: Setup
- Winget: Install Apps
-
Microsoft Store
- MS Store: Install Apps
- MS Store: Auto Update Apps
- MS Store: Uninstall Apps
-
Manual Installation
- Manual: Download Software
- Manual: Uninstall Software
- Conclusion
Ninite
You can install most of the popular apps using this GUI tool by going to Ninite website then Check your desired apps
- Choose your desired apps
- Click on Get Your Ninite button to download the installer
- Last double click on the installer to start the process
Chocolatey
Chocolatey is a package manager for Windows that simplifies software installation.To get started, follow these steps:
Chocolatey: Setup
Open Powershell terminal as Administrator
Right click on windows start menu > then choose Terminal (Admin)
- Copy & Paste the following command to install Chocolatey on your system
Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))
Chocolatey: Install Apps
[!TIP]
Search for apps at community.chocolatey.org/packages
Run commands inside Powershell terminal
# Command usage
choco search|install|upgrade|uninstall <package-name>
# Search for a package
choco search firefox
# Example install
choco install firefox
# Use -y flag to paypass prompt
choco install -y firefox
# Display all options and flags
choco -?
Chocolatey: Install Multiple Apps
[!TIP]
You can list all your desired apps inside apackages.configfile in XML format
- Open Downloads folder and create a new file named
packages.config - Copy and paste the following and change as you like
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<packages>
<package id="7zip" />
<package id="firefox" />
</packages>
- Then execute this command
choco install -y C:\Users\$env:UserName\Downloads\packages.config
Scoop
Scoop is a also another great command-line installer for Windows which Hides GUI wizard-style installers and Eliminates permission popup windows
Scoop: Setup
[!WARNING]
You must have Git installed before moving forward
Open a Powershell terminal
Right click on windows start menu > then choose Terminal
- Copy & Paste the following command to install Scoop on your system
Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser
Invoke-RestMethod -Uri https://get.scoop.sh | Invoke-Expression
- Add the two most popular buckets (A bucket is a collection of apps)
scoop bucket add main
scoop bucket add extras
Scoop: Install Apps
[!TIP]
Search for apps at scoop.sh
Run commands inside the Powershell terminal
# Command usage
scoop search|install|update|uninstall <package-name>
# Search for a package
scoop search bitwarden
# Install a package
scoop install bitwarden
# Use -y flag to paypass prompt
scoop install -y bitwarden
# Display all options and flags
scoop help
Scoop: Install Multiple Apps
The best way to install multiple apps is to create a PowerShell script with all the desired apps
[!WARNING]
Make sure to add the bucket name before the app name "/"
# Continue adding more apps every line then add "\"
scoop install extras/bitwarden \
main/bitwarden-cli \
main/nodejs
Winget
Winget is Microsoft's official package manager for Windows. It provides a straightforward way to manage software installations:
Winget: Setup
[!NOTE]
Winget is pre-installed on Windows 10. If not, you can try add it in your path
Settings > System > About > Advanced System Settings > Environment Variables > System Variables > Path > Add > ReplaceC:\Users\<USERNAME>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps
Make sure to Replace<USERNAME>with your system username
Winget: Install Apps
[!TIP]
Search for apps at the Official Winget Website
You can also add multiple apps and winget will create a PowerShell file to copy and run directly on your system
Execute commands into Powershell terminal
# Command usage
winget install|upgrade|uninstall --id <package_name>
# Search for a package
winget search vlc
# Install package by ID
winget install -e --id VideoLAN.VLC
# Display all options and flags
winget -?
Microsoft Store
The Microsoft Store is a user-friendly platform for discovering and installing applications.
MS Store: Install Apps
[!Tip]
Make sure to login with your Microsoft account to save your apps library
- Open Microsoft Store
- Choose your desired app
- Click on Get
MS Store: Auto Update Apps
Click on your profile icon in the Top Right > Click on Settings > Check the Auto-Update Switch
MS Store: Uninstall Apps
Open Settings > Apps > Installed Apps > Click on 3 dots icon for the desired app > Uninstall
Manual Installation
For software not available through package managers or the Microsoft Store, manual installation is the go-to method. Here's how:
Manual: Download Software
Visit the official website, locate the download section, and download the installer.
For Example To install DavinCi Resolve Video Editor go to the Website and click on Free Download Now
Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
Conclusion
Installing, upgrading, and uninstalling software on Windows offers various approaches. Whether you prefer the convenience of package managers like Chocolatey and Winget, the user-friendly Microsoft Store, or the manual method for unique software, Windows provides flexibility to meet your needs. Choose the method that suits you best, and streamline your software management experience on the Windows operating system.
This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Ahmed Aidev
Ahmed Aidev | Sciencx (2025-08-18T20:09:33+00:00) How to Automate Installing Windows Apps. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2025/08/18/how-to-automate-installing-windows-apps/
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