Winget Import Export Uninstall Options in Next Preview?
Yes, the next Windows Package Manager (winget) preview is expected to include the long-awaited import, export, and uninstall options, based on the project’s public roadmap and recent commits. These features let you back up your installed app list, restore it on a new PC, and remove programs directly from the command line, making winget a more complete package manager. Here’s what we know so far, how the features will likely work, and what you can do today.
Background: Why These Features Matter
Winget, Microsoft’s official command-line package manager for Windows 10 and 11, has grown quickly since its 2020 debut. It can install, upgrade, and list packages, but until now it lacked three core capabilities that users have requested since the early days:
- Export – Save the list of installed packages to a file (e.g., JSON).
- Import – Install all packages from that file on a new machine.
- Uninstall – Remove a package cleanly, without hunting through Settings or Control Panel.
These features are standard in other package managers like Chocolatey, Scoop, and apt. Their absence made winget less useful for power users who reinstall Windows often or manage multiple machines. The good news is that Microsoft has been working on them for a while, and the next preview should finally deliver.
What the Next Preview Includes
Based on the official winget GitHub repository and release notes, the upcoming preview (version 1.7 or later) is set to include:
- winget export – Exports the list of installed packages to a JSON file.
- winget import – Installs all packages from an exported JSON file.
- winget uninstall – Uninstalls a package by name or ID.
These commands will work alongside existing ones like install, upgrade, and list. The export/import pair is especially useful for setting up a new PC or restoring a development environment after a clean install.
How Export and Import Will Work
Based on the design documents and community discussions, here’s the expected behavior:
Export – Running winget export -o apps.json will create a JSON file containing the names, IDs, and versions of all packages installed via winget. You can specify a different output path and even filter by source (e.g., only winget or msstore).
Import – Running winget import -i apps.json will read that file and install each package. It will skip packages already installed and will report any that fail. You can add --ignore-unavailable to skip packages that aren’t found in configured sources.
This mirrors the behavior of winget export and winget import that were prototyped in earlier builds, but the final implementation may differ slightly. The key point is that the file format is JSON, which is human-readable and easy to edit if you want to tweak the list.
How Uninstall Will Work
The winget uninstall command will accept a package ID, name, or even a local installer file. For example:
winget uninstall --id Microsoft.PowerShellwinget uninstall --name "Notepad++"
It will use the same matching logic as winget install, so you can use --exact or --id to avoid ambiguity. The command will also support --silent to skip prompts, and --force to override a failed uninstall (though that’s not always safe).
One important detail: not all packages support silent uninstall. Some installers require user interaction, and winget will either show the prompts or fail if you use --silent. In that case, you might need to uninstall manually or use the installer’s own flags.
How to Get the Preview
To try these features, you need to install the latest winget preview from the winget-cli GitHub releases page. Look for the latest release marked “Preview” (e.g., v1.7.1-preview). Download the .msixbundle file and install it by double-clicking or using PowerShell:
- Download the
.msixbundlefrom the releases page. - Open PowerShell as Administrator.
- Run
Add-AppxPackage -Path "C:\path\to\file.msixbundle". - Close and reopen your terminal to ensure the new version is used.
If you already have a preview installed, you can also use winget upgrade --id Microsoft.Winget.Preview to update it.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
Misconception: Export/import will back up all installed apps. It only backs up apps installed via winget, not traditional MSI/EXE installs or Microsoft Store apps unless they were installed through winget. For a full backup, you’d still need a third-party tool.
Problem: Uninstall fails silently. Some packages don’t register an uninstaller in the Windows registry, so winget can’t find one. In that case, you’ll see an error like “No applicable uninstaller found.” You may need to use the vendor’s own uninstaller or run the installer with an /uninstall flag manually.
Problem: Import tries to install packages that aren’t compatible. For example, an app that only works on Windows 11 might appear in an export from a Windows 11 machine, but fail on a Windows 10 machine. Use --ignore-unavailable to skip those.
Alternatives and Workarounds
If you can’t wait for the official preview, there are workarounds:
- Use
winget listto generate a list – Runwinget listand save the output to a text file. You can then manually install each package on the new machine. - Use a third-party script – Community scripts like gsudo or discussion threads offer PowerShell functions that do a similar job.
- Use Chocolatey or Scoop – These package managers already have export/import commands. If you’re willing to switch, they’re mature alternatives.
But for most users, waiting for the official preview is the simplest path. The features are already well-tested in the community, and the final implementation should be stable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the next winget preview be released?
Microsoft hasn’t announced a specific date, but based on the release cadence (roughly every 2-3 months), a new preview with import/export/uninstall should appear within the next few weeks or months. Check the GitHub releases page for the latest.
Will these features be in the stable version of winget?
Yes, features that are in preview typically make it to stable after a few months of testing. Microsoft has a policy of moving features from preview to stable once they’re confident in stability and compatibility.
Can I use export/import to move apps between Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, as long as the apps are compatible with both OS versions. The JSON file doesn’t care about the OS, but some apps may have different installers or requirements. Use --ignore-unavailable to skip any that fail.
Does uninstall work for Microsoft Store apps?
Yes, winget can uninstall Store apps if they were installed via winget or if they have a registered uninstaller. For apps installed directly from the Store, you may need to use Get-AppxPackage in PowerShell to remove them.
What if I don’t want to use the command line?
You can still use the Settings app to uninstall programs, but it’s slower for bulk operations. For export/import, there’s no GUI alternative yet, but you can use the command line even if you’re not a power user – just copy-paste the commands.
Is it safe to use the preview version?
Previews are generally safe for testing, but they may have bugs. It’s a good idea to use the stable version for critical work and the preview for trying new features. The preview doesn’t affect your system files, but it does modify the winget CLI itself.
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