Update Windows Apps via PowerShell: 5 Powerful Commands That Actually Work (2026)

If you have been looking for a faster, smarter way to keep your PC software current, learning how to update Windows apps via PowerShell is one of the best moves you can make. Instead of hunting through the Microsoft Store or manually checking each program for updates, PowerShell lets you do it all in seconds — with just a few commands. Whether you are a tech-savvy user or just someone tired of outdated apps, this guide is for you.

Let’s break it all down in plain English.

Table of Contents

1. What Does It Mean to Update Windows Apps via PowerShell?
2. Why Use PowerShell to Update Apps?
3. Requirements Before You Start
4. 5 Powerful Ways to Update Windows Apps via PowerShell
5. How to Update Apps via PowerShell Step by Step
6. Expert Tips to Get the Best Results
7. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
8. Conclusion

What Does It Mean to Update Windows Apps via PowerShell?

PowerShell is a powerful command-line tool built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. It lets you control your PC using text commands instead of clicking through menus. When it comes to apps, PowerShell can connect to package managers like Winget (Windows Package Manager) to find outdated software and install updates automatically — all without opening a single app store window.

Think of it as a shortcut that does in 10 seconds what would normally take 10 minutes.

Why Use PowerShell to Update Apps?

Most Windows users update apps manually — one by one. That is fine for one or two apps, but when you have 20 or 30 programs installed, manual updates waste a ton of time. Here is why PowerShell is a better option:

• Speed – Update all apps with a single command.
• Automation – Schedule updates to run automatically.
• Control – Choose exactly which apps to update and which to skip.
• No bloatware – No need to open third-party update managers.
• Works system-wide – Updates both Microsoft Store apps and traditional desktop software.

According to Microsoft’s official Winget documentation, the Windows Package Manager (Winget) is the recommended built-in tool for managing app installs and updates via command line.

Requirements Before You Start

Before you run any PowerShell commands, make sure of these things:

• You are running Windows 10 version 1809 or later, or Windows 11.
• PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7+ is installed. (Windows 11 comes with both.)
• Your user account has Administrator privileges.
• Winget is installed (it comes pre-installed on Windows 11 and most updated Windows 10 systems).

To check if Winget is installed, open PowerShell and type: winget --version. If you see a version number, you are good to go. If not, install it from the Microsoft Store App Installer page.

5 Powerful Ways to Update Windows Apps via PowerShell

Method 1: Update All Apps at Once with Winget

This is the easiest and most popular method. Open PowerShell as Administrator and run this single command:

winget upgrade --all

This scans every installed app on your PC, checks for newer versions, and installs all available updates automatically. It works for both Microsoft Store apps and traditional software like Google Chrome, VLC, Zoom, and more.

Method 2: Update a Specific App by Name

Want to update just one app? Use this format:

winget upgrade "Google Chrome"

Replace Google Chrome with any app name on your system. This is great when you want to update a specific critical app without touching the rest.

Method 3: Update Microsoft Store Apps Using PowerShell

To update apps from the Microsoft Store specifically, use this PowerShell command:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace "Rootcimv2mdmdmmap" -ClassName "MDM_EnterpriseModernAppManagement_AppManagement01" | Invoke-CimMethod -MethodName UpdateScanMethod

This forces Windows to scan for and apply all pending Microsoft Store app updates immediately — no need to open the Store app at all.

Method 4: List All Outdated Apps First

Not sure what needs updating? Run this command to see a full list of apps with available updates:

winget upgrade

This shows you every app that has a newer version available, along with the current version and the new version number. Review the list before updating if you want to be selective.

Method 5: Auto-Update Apps on a Schedule

You can automate app updates so they run silently every week. Create a scheduled task in PowerShell:

$action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "winget" -Argument "upgrade --all --silent"
$trigger = New-ScheduledTaskTrigger -Weekly -DaysOfWeek Sunday -At 3am
Register-ScheduledTask -Action $action -Trigger $trigger -TaskName "AutoUpdateApps" -RunLevel Highest

This creates a background task that silently updates all your apps every Sunday at 3 AM — completely hands-free.

How to Update Apps via PowerShell Step by Step

Follow these steps to update Windows apps via PowerShell right now:

1. Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, then right-click and select Run as Administrator.
2. Type winget upgrade and press Enter to see a list of outdated apps.
3. Type winget upgrade --all and press Enter to update everything at once.
4. Wait for the process to finish. Some apps may require a restart to complete their update.
5. Type winget upgrade again to confirm all updates were applied successfully.

That is it! The whole process usually takes 5–15 minutes depending on how many apps need updating and your internet speed.

If your Windows system itself feels sluggish after updates, check out our guide on how to speed up Windows 11 for proven performance fixes.

Expert Tips to Get the Best Results

• Always run PowerShell as Administrator — Some apps require admin rights to update properly.
• Use the --silent flag — Add it to commands to suppress pop-up windows and prompts during updates.
• Close apps before updating them — Some programs cannot be updated while they are open.
• Check Winget regularly — Microsoft keeps improving it, so run winget --version to ensure you have the latest version.
• Restart after major updates — Some app updates do not fully apply until you restart your PC.

For more advanced command-line tricks, the official Microsoft PowerShell documentation is an excellent reference. You can also learn about managing group policies via command line in our guide on how to run GPUpdate to refresh Group Policies.

For a broader understanding of how Windows manages software packages, the Wikipedia article on Windows Package Manager provides great background reading.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update Windows apps via PowerShell without admin rights?

Some apps can be updated without admin rights, but most system-level and third-party software updates require you to run PowerShell as Administrator. Always right-click PowerShell and choose “Run as Administrator” for the best results.

How long does it take to update Windows apps via PowerShell?

It depends on how many apps need updating and your internet speed. A typical session with 5–10 app updates takes about 5–15 minutes. Updating 20+ apps could take 30–45 minutes on a slower connection.

Is Winget safe to use for updating apps in PowerShell?

Yes. Winget is an official Microsoft tool built into Windows 10 and 11. It downloads updates directly from verified publishers or the Microsoft Store, making it completely safe to use.

Can PowerShell update Microsoft Store apps as well as desktop apps?

Yes. The winget upgrade --all command updates both traditional desktop applications and many Microsoft Store apps. For Store-only apps, the MDM CimInstance method mentioned above handles those specifically.

What should I do if a PowerShell app update fails?

If an update fails, first try running the command again. If it still fails, try restarting your PC, then re-running the update command as Administrator. You can also update the specific app manually from its official website as a last resort.

Conclusion

Knowing how to update Windows apps via PowerShell is a skill that saves time, keeps your PC secure, and eliminates the frustration of chasing manual updates one by one. Whether you use the simple winget upgrade --all command or set up an automated weekly schedule, PowerShell gives you total control over your software updates in a way no regular GUI ever could.

Start with Method 1 right now — open PowerShell as Admin, type winget upgrade --all, and watch your apps update themselves. You will wonder why you never did this sooner.

Key Takeaways

• Use winget upgrade --all in PowerShell (as Admin) to update every app on your PC at once.
• PowerShell works for both Microsoft Store apps and traditional desktop software.
• You can automate updates using Windows Task Scheduler with a simple PowerShell script.
• Always run PowerShell as Administrator for the best compatibility with app updates.
• Winget is a free, official Microsoft tool — no third-party software needed.

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