James Graham, PhD19 Dec 20244 min read

Demystifying Winget: Understanding Security, Sources, and Comparisons

What Is Winget? Key Security, Sources & Repository Comparisons

With the rise of package managers for Windows, Winget has emerged as a powerful tool for installing and managing software. However, there are some common misconceptions and concerns about its security and how it compares to other repositories like the Microsoft Store and Chocolatey. This blog aims to clear up these confusions and provide a comprehensive understanding of Winget.

Winget at a Glance:

Security-First: Automated malware scans + manual moderator reviews
Trusted Sources: Microsoft Store & community repositories on GitHub
Alternatives: How Winget compares to Chocolatey & traditional installers

Read on to understand Winget’s security safeguards, source-hosting best practices, and side-by-side comparisons.

How Secure Is Winget? Built-In Protections Explained

One of the primary concerns users have about Winget is the security of its public repositories. Microsoft takes the security of Winget seriously, implementing multiple layers of protection:

1. Automated Scans and Manual Reviews: Every package submitted to the Winget repository undergoes automated scans for malware and other security issues. Additionally, a moderator reviews the metadata before the package is approved.

2. Community and Publisher Maintenance: The Winget repository is primarily maintained by the community and software publishers. This collaborative approach ensures that packages are regularly updated and monitored for security vulnerabilities.

3. Secure Source Locations: Winget allows users to manage their sources, ensuring that only trusted repositories are used. By default, Winget includes the Microsoft Store and the Winget community repository, both of which are secure and regularly monitored.

A diagram of a security process

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Where Does Winget Store Its Application Source Files?

When it comes to the security of application source files, it's important to understand where these files are stored at the repository level. Winget uses two primary repositories:

1. Microsoft Store: Applications sourced from the Microsoft Store are stored and managed directly by Microsoft. This ensures a high level of security and reliability, as all applications undergo rigorous vetting and validation processes before being made available

2. Winget Community Repository: This repository is maintained by the community and software publishers. The source files for applications in this repository are typically hosted on trusted platforms like GitHub or the software publisher's own servers. Each submission is scanned for malware and other security issues before being approved.

Winget’s Default Feeds:

Microsoft Store Feed: Microsoft-managed, vetting each app via Store pipelines
Community Feed: GitHub-hosted packages, scanned and reviewed by community moderators

By default, Winget includes these two repositories, ensuring that users have access to secure and trusted sources. Users can also add their own repositories, but it is crucial to only use secure, trusted source locations to avoid potential security risks.

A diagram of a secure application source

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How Does Winget Compare to Microsoft Store & Chocolatey?

Understanding the differences between Winget, the Microsoft Store, and other repositories like Chocolatey can help users choose the right tool for their needs:

	Winget	Microsoft Store	Chocolatey
Source	Uses a community repository and the Microsoft store.	Directly from the Microsoft store.	Community repository with thousands of packages.
Installation	Requires administrative privileges for most installations.	Typically does not require administrative privileges.	Requires administrative privileges and installs applications in conventional locations like C:\Program Files
Use Case	Ideal for users who want a command-line tool integrated with the Microsoft ecosystem.	Best for users who prefer a graphical interface and need apps vetted by Microsoft.	Suitable for users who need a vast selection of packages and are comfortable with command-line installations.

A diagram of a diagram

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Key Takeaways: Is Winget Right for You?

Winget offers a secure, community-backed CLI package manager with built-in malware scans and manual reviews. When compared to Microsoft Store and Chocolatey, it balances control and security—ideal for IT pros who prefer a scriptable, Windows-native solution.

Winget is a robust and secure package manager that simplifies software installation on Windows. By understanding its security mechanisms, where application source files are stored, and how it compares to other repositories, users can make informed decisions and leverage Winget effectively.