https://DevOpsCloud.io -- Cloud Monk Losang Jinpa, Ph.D., MCSE/MCT, GitOps DevOps Engineer

Return to Winget, winget Windows Package Manager vs Scoop

WinGet (Windows Package Manager) and Chocolatey are both package management systems for Windows, but they have different origins, features, and use cases. Here’s a comparison of the two to help you understand their differences and decide which might be best for your needs.

1. Overview

1. WinGet
2. **Developed by**: Microsoft
3. **Released**: 2020
4. **Integration**: Integrated with Windows 10 and Windows 11
5. **Purpose**: Simplifies the process of finding, installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing software packages on Windows

1. Chocolatey
2. **Developed by**: Rob Reynolds
3. **Released**: 2011
4. **Integration**: Third-party tool
5. **Purpose**: Manages software installations on Windows, using the NuGet packaging infrastructure

1. Key Features

1. WinGet

- **Integration with Windows**: Native integration with Windows 10 and 11, making it seamless for Windows users. - **Repository**: Uses the Microsoft community repository. - **Installation Commands**:

 - Search for packages: `winget search `
 - Install a package: `winget install `
 - Upgrade a package: `winget upgrade `
 - Uninstall a package: `winget uninstall `
 - List upgradable packages: `winget upgrade`

- **Export/Import**: Supports exporting and importing lists of installed applications. - **Simplicity**: Focuses on ease of use and simplicity, making it suitable for general users and developers.

1. Chocolatey

- **Wide Range of Packages**: Extensive repository with thousands of packages, including both software and scripts. - **Installation Commands**:

 - Search for packages: `choco search `
 - Install a package: `choco install `
 - Upgrade a package: `choco upgrade `
 - Uninstall a package: `choco uninstall `
 - List installed packages: `choco list --local-only`

- **Advanced Features**:

 - **Pro and Business Versions**: Offers advanced features like package synchronization, enhanced security, and more.
 - **Custom Sources**: Ability to use custom sources and internal repositories, making it suitable for enterprise environments.

- **Scripting and Automation**: Supports complex scripting and automation tasks, useful for system administrators and DevOps professionals.

1. Installation

1. Installing WinGet

WinGet is included by default in Windows 10 (version 1809 and later) and Windows 11. If you need to install it manually: ```powershell winget install Microsoft.Winget.Source ```

1. Installing Chocolatey

Chocolatey requires installation through PowerShell or the Command Prompt: ```powershell Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; ` [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol -bor 3072; ` iex <sup>1)</sup> ```

1. Example Commands

1. WinGet Examples

- **Search for a Package**:

 ```powershell
 winget search Google.Chrome
 ```

- **Install a Package**:

 ```powershell
 winget install Google.Chrome
 ```

- **Upgrade a Package**:

 ```powershell
 winget upgrade Google.Chrome
 ```

- **Uninstall a Package**:

 ```powershell
 winget uninstall Google.Chrome
 ```

- **Export Installed Packages**:

 ```powershell
 winget export -o packages.json
 ```

- **Import Packages**:

 ```powershell
 winget import -i packages.json
 ```

1. Chocolatey Examples

- **Search for a Package**:

 ```powershell
 choco search googlechrome
 ```

- **Install a Package**:

 ```powershell
 choco install googlechrome
 ```

- **Upgrade a Package**:

 ```powershell
 choco upgrade googlechrome
 ```

- **Uninstall a Package**:

 ```powershell
 choco uninstall googlechrome
 ```

- **List Installed Packages**:

 ```powershell
 choco list --local-only
 ```

1. Use Cases

1. WinGet
2. **General Users**: Ideal for users looking for a simple and straightforward way to manage software on Windows.
3. **Developers**: Convenient for developers needing to quickly set up development environments with common tools.

1. Chocolatey
2. **System Administrators**: Suitable for admins who need advanced features and automation capabilities.
3. **Enterprise Environments**: Useful for enterprises requiring custom repositories, package synchronization, and enhanced security features.
4. **DevOps**: Beneficial for DevOps teams managing software dependencies and deployments.

1. Conclusion

Both WinGet and Chocolatey offer powerful package management capabilities for Windows, but they cater to different needs. WinGet is a simpler, more integrated solution, ideal for general users and developers, while Chocolatey offers advanced features and flexibility suitable for system administrators and enterprise environments. The choice between them depends on your specific requirements and use cases.