winget-create VS Chocolatey

This workflow uses Windows Package Manager Manifest Creator to update and submit a new version of a package manifest

Yes, any installer (MSIX, MSI, EXE) may be added (https://github.com/microsoft/winget-pkgs). There is even a new tool the Windows Package Manager Manifest Creator (https://github.com/microsoft/winget-create) to make it easier to build a manifest and submit it to the GitHub repository. Portable / Stanalone .exe files and .zip files aren't supported yet, but they are on the backlog.

You can also add your programs or packages by executing winget install wingetcreate to install the Windows Package Manager Manifest Creator. Once the tool has been installed, execute wingetcreate new provide the URL to the installer. Then the tool will download the installer, parse it to determine any of the manifest values available in the installer, and guide you through the process to generate a valid manifest. If you provide your GitHub credentials when prompted, it will even fork the repository, create a new branch, submit a pull request, and provide you the URL to track its progress.

Do you use Chocolatey by any chance? It helped me when I wanted to remember doing stuff on the command line. Sometimes it's faster to convert a ton of files using one simple command. :~)

Semi-automated (you still have to enter a command in the terminal :) ) updates are available on macOS and Linux via Homebrew. Perhaps on Windows there's a package under Chocolatey.

Thats how I started learning about Powershell. If you have a bit more experience in Powershell check out https://chocolatey.org/

Chocolatey - Package manager / installer / updater for the tools below

Let me introduce you to my favorite thing ever, chocolatey

A lot of Windows tweaks are turned into GUIs. You CAN edit the registry yourself, or tweak Group Policy, but honestly sometimes it's easier just to get the tools that do it for you with a checkbox.

Some useful tools:

-Chocolatey is like yum/homebrew for Windows: https://chocolatey.org/

-Start11 (and other Stardock tools): https://www.stardock.com/products/start11/ let you once again customize W11's butchered start menu & taskbar

-Software controls for your monitor's backlight: https://twinkletray.com/

-Easy Window Switcher so you can use alt-` to switch between windows of the same app, like macOS and I think some Linux desktops: https://neosmart.net/EasySwitch/

-Microsoft PowerToys for various tweaks: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/

-Nevermind the install footprint... not worth it when you start running into update issues. Yes, there are tools out there, but why bother when you can just buy a bigger SSD?

-Windows key --> Startup Apps to disable all the useless start apps (like Adobe or Cortana)

-Windows key --> diskmgmt.msc to manage volumes

-Turn on BitLocker if you want full disk encryption

-Taking screenshots is a PITA; use Windows-Shift-S for the newest version (snipping tool), but the old print-screen /alt-printscreen shortcuts work too. Also Windows-Alt-R to record a video of the current window. For some reason that is tied into the Xbox app.

-Use 1password (or your browser if you're lazy) to sync passwords between platforms. Also supports MFAs. Lastpass is another popular one but it has security issues.

-Check out the Windows Subsystem For Linux (google it) if you need to do occasional Linux work, or just want bash. Or Ubuntu Multipass for similar functionality. Or just dual-boot/replace Windows altogether.

-The built-in text editor sucks. Use VSCode, SublimeText, Notepad++, or UltraEdit.

Yum/Dnf/Apt/pacman/etc are going to be new to you since Windows doesn't use package management as a core feature like Linux does, but there are package managers for Windows. We use Chocolately at my work.