How to Fix WinGet is Not Recognized Error in Windows 10

WinGet is not recognized in Windows 10

In some cases, when you install an app using Windows Package Manager (winget). You get the error

The term ‘winget’ is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.

PS C:\Users\bonguides> winget
winget : The term 'winget' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.
Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
At line:1 char:1
+ winget
+ ~~~~~~
    + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (winget:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException

Update the App Installer from Microsoft Store

1. Right click on the Windows Start icon then open Windows PowerShell Admin.

2. Run the following command to check if App Installer package is installed or not. In this case, the package was installed, and its version is 1.0.30521.0.

Get-AppPackage -Name *AppInstaller* | Select Name, Version, Status

PS C:\Windows\system32> Get-AppPackage -Name *AppInstaller* | Select Name, Version, Status

Name                          Version     Status
----                          -------     ------
Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller 1.0.30251.0     Ok

3. The root of the issue is the App Installer is installed but it’s not update to the latest version. To update it, let’s open Microsoft Store, search app installer then selects it from the result.

4. As you can see, the app was installed but it’s not up to date. So, let’s click on the button to update it to the latest version.

Note Note: If you don't see the Update button, let's wait a few seconds, the package will be update automatically.

5. Once done, close then reopen Windows PowerShell to verify it works.

Note Note: You can run winget command from PowerShell, Terminal and Command Prompt.

When you check the version of the App Installer package, you can see the app was upgraded to a higher version.

PS C:\Windows\system32> Get-AppPackage -Name *AppInstaller* | Select Name, Version, Status

Name                          Version     Status
----                          -------     ------
Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller 1.0.30251.0     Ok

PS C:\Windows\system32> Get-AppPackage -Name *AppInstaller* | Select Name, Version, Status

Name                          Version     Status
----                          -------     ------
Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller 1.18.2691.0     Ok

In some cases, you cannot update the App Installer in Microsoft Store, you can try this: How to Install Windows Package Manager without Microsoft Store