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Winget preset idea

Vision¶

Imagine easily installing apps when upgrading pc. You log in and your apps automatically install in the background. No more time is wasted on reinstalling apps.

With winget installing apps has become faster, but not yet smooth. (And still quite technical)
Something similar to the UX from Chrome would be ideal, you just log in with your Gmail account, andchrome remembers extensions and auto installs them for you.

Existing solutions¶

Winget¶

Winget has export, it exports a JSON file of ALL installed apps. Afterwards you can edit the JSON. The JSON can be loaded by the import command to install all apps.

Cons:

  • Not much control
  • Install all or nothing

Sites that let you search for, and create Winget install lists:

It’s now pretty easy to save apps in a note, and execute the install code directly from the note.

  • But it requires 3 apps to be installed:
    • Git
    • Obsidian
    • Winget
      Ideally, I install just 1 app, Winget, to auto install ALL other apps. (Git, Obsidian, and the rest)
  • It also means I need to download or access my notes online, or sync them with a new computer. I might not want that on a work computer.

All in one installers¶

NiNite let’s you make a all-in-one installer for some apps.
Cons

  • only a small selection of popular apps
  • not a cloud-first mindset
  • keeping the installer updated is a hassle
  • the installer needs to be transferred to your new pc, more hassle

TODO¶

  • think how the perfect UX would be
  • create winget app
  • proof concept works, then propose feature merge in winget

UX¶

  • make a “profile”, e.g. linked to Windows user (Onedrive) or GitHub
  • store installed apps
    • optional: store by host. This info might get outdated?

  • optional: allow for “favoriting apps” : heart or star
    can be apps that are not installed

  • when logging in on a new device:

    • auto install previous apps
    • or command to load profile with bookmarked apps.

Ideally also supports chocolatey, scoop etc.

toolidea cloud

template