How to Fix Winget Is Not Recognized On Windows

Winget, the Windows Package Manager, is a powerful tool for managing software installations via the command line, but it can sometimes fail to be recognized by your system. Here are several steps to help you resolve this issue and get Winget working smoothly.

Check if Winget is Installed

Before diving into troubleshooting, it's essential to verify if Winget is installed on your system. You can do this by opening Command Prompt or PowerShell and typing the following command:

winget --version

If Winget is installed, this command will display the version information. If not, you will see an error message indicating that the command is not recognized.

Update Your Operating System

Ensuring your Windows operating system is up to date is crucial for maintaining compatibility with Winget. Here’s how to check for updates:

1. Open System Settings: Press Windows + I to open the System Settings.
2. Check for Updates: In the System Settings, navigate to the "Windows Update" section in the left pane and click on "Check for updates."
3. Install Updates: If any updates are available, download and install them immediately.

Verify Winget Installation

If Winget is not recognized, it might not be installed or might be missing from your system. Here’s how to check and install it:

1. Check Installation Path: Navigate to the following path in File Explorer:

   %userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps
   

   Look for winget.exe. If it's not present, you need to install it.

2. Install from GitHub: You can download and install the latest version of Winget from GitHub. Use the following PowerShell command to install it:

   $progressPreference = 'silentlyContinue'
   $latestWingetMsixBundleUri = $(Invoke-RestMethod https://api.github.com/repos/microsoft/winget-cli/releases/latest).assets.browser_download_url | Where-Object {$_.EndsWith(".msixbundle")}
   $latestWingetMsixBundle = $latestWingetMsixBundleUri.Split("/")[-1]
   Write-Output "Downloading $latestWingetMsixBundle..."
   Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $latestWingetMsixBundleUri -OutFile $latestWingetMsixBundle
   Add-AppxPackage -Path $latestWingetMsixBundle
   

   This script will download and install the latest version of Winget.

Reregister Winget

Sometimes, Winget might be installed but not properly registered. Here’s how to reregister it:

1. Open PowerShell: Type “PowerShell” in the Search box and open it.
2. Run the Registration Command: Copy and paste the following command into PowerShell and press Enter:

   Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.Winget.Source_8wekyb3d8bbwe\AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose
   

   This command will reset the Winget installation and potentially fix any issues.

Enable App Execution Alias

The winget command is an app execution alias for the Windows Package Manager. Ensure this alias is enabled:

1. Check Alias: If the alias is not enabled, you might need to create it manually. However, this is usually set up during the installation process. If you encounter issues, you can try reinstalling Winget.

Update App Installer

Winget comes bundled with the App Installer. Ensuring the App Installer is up to date can resolve issues:

1. Open Microsoft Store: Search for "App Installer" in the Microsoft Store.
2. Update App Installer: If an update is available, download and install it. This can resolve security vulnerabilities and ensure compatibility.

Create a Path Environment Variable

If Winget is installed but not recognized, the issue might be with the PATH environment variable:

1. Open System Properties: Press Win + R, type systempropertiesadvanced, and click “OK.”
2. Edit Environment Variables: In the System Properties window, select the “Advanced” tab, then click on “Environment Variables.”
3. Edit the PATH Variable: Select the “Path” variable under the “System variables” section and click “Edit.”
4. Add the Winget Directory: In the “Edit environment variable” window, click “New” and add the following path:

   %UserProfile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps
   

   Click “OK” to save the changes.

Reset Your Windows PC

If all else fails, resetting your Windows PC to its factory settings can resolve deeper issues:

1. Open System Settings: Press Windows + I to open the System Settings.
2. Navigate to Recovery: Scroll down to find the “Recovery” option.
3. Reset Your Device: Select the option to reset your device. You will be asked if you want to keep your files or remove everything. Follow the instructions to complete the reset.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue of Winget not being recognized on your Windows system.