How to Install Software via CMD

Installing software on your computer usually means clicking through a setup wizard, but did you know you can do it faster with just a few typed commands? Using the Command Prompt (CMD) in Windows, you can install programs without all the mouse clicks, making it a handy trick for quick setups or managing multiple systems.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of installing software using CMD. From using built-in tools like Windows Package Manager (winget) to executing installation commands for standalone executables, you’ll discover how to harness the power of the command line to install software quickly and efficiently.

How to Install Programs Using CMD in Windows

Here, we will discuss 3 different methods to set up applications using the Command Prompt on Windows 10 and 11, which include Winget, Chocolatey, or direct installer executables.

1. Install Software using Winget: Suggested

The winget command is a built-in package manager for Windows 10 and Windows 11. It simplifies installing and managing software from the Windows Store or other sources.

Step 1: Open CMD as Administrator

• Right-click the Start button and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows Terminal (Admin).

Step 2: Check if winget is Installed

• First, check if winget is installed by running:

winget --version

If not installed, ensure you’re using Windows 10 1809+ or Windows 11 and install the App Installer from the Microsoft Store.

Step 3: Search for Software

• You can search for available software by running:

winget search <software_name>

For example: winget search vscode

Step 4: Install the Software

• Once you’ve found the software, use the following command to install it:

winget install <software_name>

• For example: winget install git

After installation, you can verify by checking if the software appears in your applications list or by searching for it directly in CMD.

2. Use Chocolatey to Install Applications

Chocolateyis a popular third-party package manager for Windows that allows you to automate software installations through the Command Prompt.

Step 1: Install Chocolatey

• To install Chocolatey, run the following command in CMD as Administrator:

Set-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Scope Process -Force; [System.Net.ServicePointManager]::SecurityProtocol = [System.Net.SecurityProtocolType]::Tls12; iex ((New-Object System.Net.WebClient).DownloadString('https://community.chocolatey.org/install.ps1'))

Step 2: Install programs using Chocolatey

• Once Chocolatey is installed, you can install software by running:

choco install <software_name>

For example: choco install googlechrome (install Google Chrome)

Step 3: Verify Installation

• Check if the software is installed by running the following command:

choco list --local-only

3. Direct Installer Executables

For certain software, you may want to run an installer directly through CMD.

Step 1: Download the .exe Installer

• Download the installer executable from the software’s official website.

Step 2: Navigate to the Installer’s Location

• Open CMD, and use the cd command to navigate to the directory where the installer is located. Example:

cd C:\Downloads

Step 3: Run the Installer

• Run the installer using the following command:

software-installer.exe /silent

Most installers support a /silent flag, which installs the software without user interaction.

Bonus: Troubleshooting Tips

• Access Denied Errors: Ensure you open CMD as Administrator to avoid any disruption.
• Software Not Found in Package Managers: Double-check the name of the software by using winget or choco search.
• Issues with Executables: Ensure the installer supports silent mode or check the documentation for installation options.

Conclusion

Installing programs via CMD in Windows offers a quick and efficient way to manage applications, especially when working with multiple systems or headless environments. Whether you’re a system administrator or developer, knowing how to use winget, or Chocolatey for software management can save time and streamline your workflow.