Reinstalling Required Software Using Winget

Overview

Winget (Windows Package Manager) simplifies the management of software installations. This guide will walk you through exporting a list of installed applications to a JSON file and using that file to install the same applications on another machine or after a clean installation.

Prerequisites

1. Windows Package Manager (winget): Ensure winget is installed on your Windows machine. It comes with Windows 10 and Windows 11 as part of the App Installer package. Verify its installation by running winget --version in Command Prompt or PowerShell.
2. Administrative Rights: Some operations may require administrative privileges. Ensure you have the necessary permissions to run these commands.

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Exporting Installed Applications

To create a JSON file containing a list of your installed applications, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell: Press Win + X and select either Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell.
2. Run the Export Command: Use the following command to export your installed applications to a JSON file:

winget export -o 'C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\apps.json' --ignore-warnings

This command generates a file named apps.json on your Desktop with a list of all installed applications.

• Replace YourUsername with your actual Windows username.
• The -o flag specifies the output file path.
• The --ignore-warnings flag is optional and suppresses warnings during export.

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Importing Applications

To install applications on a new machine or after a fresh installation using the previously exported JSON file, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell: Open Windows Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell as before.
2. Run the Import Command: Use the following command to import the list of applications from your JSON file:

winget import -i 'C:\Users\YourUsername\Desktop\apps.json'

This command reads the apps.json file and installs all the applications listed in it.

• Again, replace YourUsername with your actual Windows username.
• The -i flag specifies the input file path.

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Tips

• Backup: Ensure the JSON file is up-to-date and includes all the applications you want to install before importing.
• Compatibility: Applications listed in the JSON file must be available in the winget repository. If an application is not found, the import process will skip it.

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Troubleshooting

• File Not Found: Verify that the file paths are correct and that the apps.json file exists at the specified location.
• Permission Issues: Run Command Prompt or PowerShell as an administrator if you encounter permission errors.
• Application Not Found: Some applications might not be available in the winget repository. Check the application's availability or update the JSON file accordingly.

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage and replicate your application setup across different machines or after a system reset.