In Windows 11, regardless of the method, even using the Microsoft Store, you can only install one app at a time, but some tools allow you to batch install all the apps you need at once, and in this guide I will show you various methods to complete this process.
If you are setting up a fresh installation of Windows 11, are a developer, or the nature of your work requires the use of various applications, you know that installing applications can be difficult and time-consuming. However, whatever the reason, in Windows 11 you can use tools like Windows Package Manager (winget) with the command line or PowerShell to quickly install multiple applications, but if commands are not your forte, you can also use graphical applications like Dev Home, WinInstall and Ninite for bulk installation of multiple software packages on your computer.
In this how-to guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to install multiple apps at once on Windows 11.
How to batch install apps using commands
To bulk install apps with commands in Windows 11, use these steps:
- Open Beginning.
- Look for Command lineright click on the above result and select Run as administrator option.
- Type the following command to search ID for each of the apps to install on Windows 11 and press input: wing search “APP-NAME” In the command, replace “NAME-APP” with the name of the application. Quotation marks are only required if the name has spaces. For example, this command searches for VLC in the available repositories: wing search XPDM1ZW6815MQM
- Repeat step 3 to find out the ID for all applications.
- Type the following command to batch install the program on Windows 11 and press input: winget installation –id=APP-ID -e && winget installation –id=APP-ID -e In the command, replace “ID-APP” for the application ID. For example, this command installs PowerToys and VisualStudio Code: wing install –id=XPDM1ZW6815MQM -e && wing install –id=7zip.7zip -e
After completing the steps, the Windows Package Manager will install the specified applications from the available repositories, which also includes the Microsoft Store.
If you frequently install the same applications, it is best to create and save a list of applications and commands in a text file using Notepad. In the future, you can copy and paste the command without searching for IDs again.
How to batch install applications using graphical tools
If you are uncomfortable building long commands, you can use various graphical tools to install multiple applications on Windows 11.
Dev Home
Dev Home is an application for Windows 11 primarily designed for developers to quickly configure a computer for a new development project, and one of the features is the ability to install applications in bulk. The application uses the Windows Package Manager (winget) in the background, but you will use a graphical interface that makes things easier.
To install multiple apps at once through the Dev Home app, use these steps:
- Open Beginning.
- Look for Dev Home and click on the above result to open the application.
- Click on Machine configuration.
- Click on Install applications setting in the “Quick Steps” section.
- Use the search box to find the app.
- Click on Plus (+) button to the right of the item to add the application to the cart.
- Repeat steps 5 and 6 to add the apps you need to Windows 11.
- Click on Following button.
- Tick the option to agree to the terms.
- Click on Set button.
Once you complete the steps, the apps will be downloaded and installed on your computer.
Winstall
Winstall is technically not a graphical tool for installing multiple applications at the same time. Instead, it’s a non-Microsoft GUI that allows you to use the interface to find apps and then generate a batch file to run a command to install all apps.
To install more than one application at the same time with Winstall, use these steps:
- Open Winstall (mesh).
- Click on applications button.
- Use the search box to find the app.
- Click on Plus (+) button to add the application to the cart.
- Repeat steps 4 and 5 to add the apps you need to Windows 11.
- Click on Generate the script button.
- Click on Download the .bat button to save the installer to your computer.
- Right click on the Winstall file and select Run as administrator option.
After completing the steps, the batch file will run the winget command to install all applications on Windows 11.
Ninite
Ninite is a third-party application that has been around for a long time and allows you to choose the applications that you want to install on your computer. You can download a custom installer, which will batch install only the apps you’ve selected from the website.
This solution also includes a “Pro” subscription, but it is for businesses and not for regular users.
The interesting thing about Ninite is that it only offers a hand-picked list of applications that you can choose to install on your computer.
- Open Ninite (mesh).
- Check the apps you want to install.
- Click on “Get Your Ninite” button to download the installer.
- Save the installer to your computer.
- Double-click to install multiple apps in bulk.
After completing the steps, Ninite will install the latest version of each of the selected applications.
Personally, I prefer to use Windows Package Manager (winget) commands with Command Prompt or PowerShell. However, if I had to choose one of the graphics options, I’d probably choose the Dev Home app because it’s already available in Windows 11 and is easier to use.
More resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and FAQs about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources: