Installing and using programs in Windows In theory, it seems simple: download an executable file, click "Next" a few times, and you're done. However, as you accumulate applications, pending updates, system reinstalls, and new computers, this traditional process becomes a real time-waster. And that's precisely where [the solution/tool] comes in. UniGetUI, a tool that brings to the Microsoft desktop many of the conveniences that Linux users have been enjoying for years.
UniGetUI is a free and open source app Designed to simplify software management in Windows 10 and Windows 11, this utility acts as a unified graphical interface for various command-line package managers. Instead of struggling with commands in PowerShell or CMD, this utility provides a clear window from which to install, update, uninstall, and maintain applications from WinGet, Chocolatey, Scoop, Pip, NPM, .NET Tool, PowerShell Gallery, and even Flatpak. No need to memorize syntax or advanced options.
What is UniGetUI and why is it worth using?
UniGetUI presents itself as a “one-stop shop” for your PC softwareInstead of opening each program's website, searching for the download button, and hoping the installer doesn't contain hidden adware, you simply search for the application directly from the UniGetUI interface, review its basic information, and launch the installation with just a couple of clicks. It all relies on existing package managers. In other words, it doesn't invent anything new; it simply provides easy access to reliable and widely used tools.
The objective of this project is to give a graphical face to the most common package managers in WindowsWinGet, Scoop, Chocolatey, Pip, Npm, .NET Tool, and PowerShell Gallery, along with others that have been added over time, such as Flatpak. The interesting thing is that it doesn't force you to choose just one; instead, it combines catalogs from various sources to offer you a huge repertoire of desktop applications, development utilities, system tools, and components from different ecosystems.
The idea is importing the “magic” of Linux repositories into the Windows worldInstead of downloading individual programs from dubious websites, you obtain them from controlled and managed sources through a package system.
On a practical level, when you search for a program with UniGetUIYou see its name, a short description, the download size, the source (for example, WinGet or Chocolatey), and who maintains it. From there, you just click the install button. The process takes place in the background. In some cases, the classic Windows installer still opens to accept licenses or click "Next," but you no longer have to go to the developer's website or deal with unwanted extensions.
Key new features in the latest versions of UniGetUI
In its most recent versions, UniGetUI has incorporated significant changes both inside and out., aimed at improving stability, refining the user experience and adding features designed for those who configure and maintain multiple devices.
One of the most notable changes is that The old integrated WinGet CLI has been removed from the applicationPreviously, UniGetUI included its own copy of WinGet, but this complicated maintenance and could cause conflicts with the official version included with Windows. To resolve this, Pinget has been integrated. This is a portable alternative to WinGet that the tool uses when the official WinGet is not installed or cannot be used for some reason.
Another important development is the arrival of a modern interface based on Avalonia for WindowsUntil now, UniGetUI relied primarily on WinUI-centric technologies, making it very "native" to Windows, but limiting its cross-platform flexibility. Avalonia offers a XAML-inspired development model, similar to WinUI, but designed to work across multiple operating systems.
In parallel, it has been added Official support for Flatpak as an additional package managerAlthough Flatpak is especially popular in Linux environments, its inclusion in UniGetUI reinforces the idea of unifying different software sources under a single window.
The developers have also been working steadily on the parity of functions between the Avalonia-based interface and the WinUI-oriented oneThis translates into improved navigation, consistent behavior across platforms, a resizable main window on Linux, and a classic mode launcher for those using the application in that environment or even in scenarios where the modern UI is not desired.
Main features: everything you can do with UniGetUI
The strength of UniGetUI lies in the fact that It's not just about installing programs and that's it.Instead, it adds a set of functions designed to cover the entire software lifecycle: installation, updating, uninstallation, backup, and replication to other computers. These are its main functions:
- Automatic management of multiple package managers in a single panelThis includes WinGet, Scoop, Chocolatey, Pip, Npm, .NET Tool and PowerShell Gallery, plus additional sources such as Flatpak.
- Detailed metadata queryDownload size, available version, referral URL, specific source, license, SHA256 hash, and other useful information to know what you are installing.
- Installation, updating, or uninstallation of multiple packages at onceIf you need to get a new PC ready to work, you can select all your browsers, email clients, code editors, communication tools, office suites, and other programs in bulk and launch the installation with a single click. The same applies to updates or removing software you no longer use.
- Advanced options to customize the installation of each package.
- Installation and uninstallation notificationsThese confirm when a process has been completed successfully or if there has been a problem.
- Exporting and importing lists of installed programs.
- Widgets for Windows, integration with Dev Home, and a system tray icon.
How to install UniGetUI on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Getting started with UniGetUI is quite simple because The developers offer several installation methodsdesigned for users with different levels of experience and different needs.
The most direct method is Install UniGetUI from the Microsoft StoreSimply open the store, search for “UniGetUI”, and tap the install button just like you would with any other app. This option is very convenient because it ensures you receive updates directly through the store. So you don't have to worry about manually downloading installers.
If you prefer to have more control or don't want to go through the Store, you can Download UniGetUI from its official GitHub repositoryThere you'll find the latest released versions, including installers for Windows. In some cases, portable versions are also available. Version numbering has been progressing rapidly, and recent releases include version 3.3, which introduced important features such as cloud backups.
Once installed, UniGetUI is primarily compatible with Windows 10 x64 and Windows 11 x64Specifically, from version 10.0.19041 onwards in the case of Windows 10. It can also be used on Windows 11 on ARM64 via Prism emulation, and in Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025 environments, although in these cases you may encounter limitations related to WinGet or additional .NET Framework requirements.
In the case of server environments or corporate systems, Restrictions may appear due to security policies., such as firewalls with SSL inspection or limitations on the use of the Windows Package Manager. This is where UniGetUI, along with Pinget and the correct configuration of WinGet, may require some further review to ensure everything is working properly.
Main screen and basic usage flow
When you start the application for the first time, UniGetUI opens the “Discover Packages” screen by default.This section functions as a centralized search engine. You type the name of the program you want to install and receive results from all the package managers you have active.
To install a program, Simply select the entry you're interested in and press the install button.If you want to speed things up and configure several items at once, you can select multiple packages and run the batch installation. This feature is especially useful for setting up a new PC or after reinstalling Windows, where you can have your usual set of work tools ready in just a few minutes.
The interface also offers a tab dedicated to “Software Updates”UniGetUI scans all installed packages through compatible package managers. The result is a list of applications with available new versions, with the option to update them all at once or review them one by one and choose which to upgrade and which to keep as they are.
The “Installed Packages” tab acts as a centralized inventory of all the software you have on the systemFrom here, you can uninstall applications with just a couple of clicks, without having to go to the Control Panel, "Apps & features," or search for individual uninstallers. This approach significantly reduces clutter. It also helps clean up your system by removing programs you no longer need.
Cloud Backup: Cloud backups with GitHub
One of the most powerful features introduced in recent versions, such as 3.3, is UniGetUI Cloud BackupThis feature allows you to back up all the packages installed on your PC to the cloud. This way, you can restore that configuration on another computer with virtually no effort.
The operation is based on Create a private repository on GitHub associated with your account.UniGetUI handles generating the software list and uploading it to the repository. Importantly, no personal data or user settings are synchronized; only the list of programs and packages is synced. Therefore, privacy is maintained at 100%, and no files or credentials are exposed.
To use this option you must first Update UniGetUI to version 3.3 or later Then go to Settings, specifically to the "Package Backup" section. There you'll see an option to log in with your GitHub account using a prominent button. Follow the steps indicated by the application, authorize access, and once completed, your account will be connected and ready to start creating backups.
The tool allows activate regular automatic backupsso you don't have to remember to do them manually. Even so, there's a "Backup" button that, when pressed, immediately creates a copy of the installed package list and uploads it to the private repository.
When you need to restore, the process is just as simple: Click on “Select Backup” and you will see a list of the computers you have backed up.You choose the one you want, and UniGetUI loads the software list associated with that backup.
Advantages over installing programs "the old-fashioned way"
If you've been using Windows for years, you'll already know the ritual: Open your browser, go to Google, search for the program, locate the official website, download the installer, and cross your fingers.This method, although still valid, is becoming less and less efficient, mainly due to the amount of time wasted and the risks associated with downloading executables from unreliable sources.
The updates don't help much either, because Each program manages its own notification system.Some systems display notifications in the system tray, others include silent, built-in updates, and still others don't notify you at all, leaving you stuck with an outdated version for months until something stops working. Ultimately, keeping everything up to date becomes a tedious and unreliable manual task.
UniGetUI relies on Package managers like WinGet, Scoop, or Chocolatey, which already copied the Linux repository modelThe difference is that, instead of forcing you to manage them from CMD or PowerShell, where many users feel uncomfortable, it offers a clear graphical interface from which to perform the same operations with just a few clicks.
For those who are already advanced users, The combination of CLI and GUI is especially powerfulYou can continue automating tasks using scripts with WinGet or Scoop, and at the same time use UniGetUI when you want to check the overall status of applications at a glance or clean up without typing commands.
In real-life situations, The advantages are noticeable in various everyday scenarios.:
- When you get a new PC or reinstall Windows and need to replicate your environment.
- If you maintain several computers with similar configurations.
- When you want to make sure all the software is up to date.
- When you're thinking about doing a thorough clean-up of apps you no longer use.
WinGet and its relationship with UniGetUI in advanced environments
Behind many of UniGetUI's features is WinGet, the Windows Package ManagerThis is a complete software management solution distributed by Microsoft that includes the winget command-line tool, packaging services, and PowerShell-based DSC and YAML configuration files to automate device configuration.
Developers can use winget to search, install, update, remove and configure applications from the Windows Terminal, PowerShell, or the Command Prompt. Organizations, for their part, leverage it to automate computer configuration and maintain consistent and secure work environments, integrating it with tools like Microsoft Intune and Group Policy.
UniGetUI does not replace these capabilities, but rather It takes advantage of them and makes them more accessible through a graphical interface.In fact, IT administrators can combine the use of UniGetUI with WinGet configuration files, leveraging the power of both.
In business environments, there are additional considerations such as Using certificate anchoring for the Microsoft StoreWinGet, through the Desktop Application Installer, validates the Store certificate to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. A specific directive, "BypassCertificatePinningForMicrosoftStore," allows you to disable this validation. However, this should only be done in very specific scenarios, as disabling it can introduce security risks.
To keep this entire environment aligned, It is advisable to periodically check for new versions of WinGet and the release notesSince each update may introduce new configuration options or changes to policy templates, UniGetUI, by relying on these components, benefits from these improvements. Furthermore, it presents them in a more user-friendly way.
When you combine WinGet, Pinget, UniGetUI and the corporate management toolsYou get a very robust ecosystem for managing software on fleets of Windows computers, with script automation options, centralized security controls, and a graphical interface that makes day-to-day work much easier.