Microsoft has recently launched a pre-release version of the Windows Package Manager (winget), designated as version 1.12.420. This update emphasizes enhancing the underlying functionality and introducing practical features rather than serving as a groundbreaking overhaul. Key updates in this release include the integration of an MCP server, which allows users to interact directly with their winget clients via the command line using the command "winget mcp."
In addition to this, the App Installer has been revamped, transitioning from WinUI 2 to the more advanced WinUI 3, along with an upgrade of the Windows App Runtime dependency to version 1.8. This transition aims to enhance user experience and application performance.
The update also brings notable changes to the manifest schema and validation process, now at version 1.12, which introduces two new features: FontInstallerType and NestedInstallerType. These additions enable users to install fonts via winget through a dedicated source without the previous experimental limitations.
Furthermore, various bugs reported by users have been addressed, notably an issue with manifest validation that arose from UTF-8 BOM encoding, which has now been resolved. The update also rectifies a problem concerning the behavior of portable packages that affected environment variables, ensuring that changes do not occur unexpectedly when in dev mode.
Additionally, issues related to multiple sources have been fixed, improving the accessibility of source files during installations. The App Installer's progress reporting and launching issues on older Windows builds have also been resolved. A critical bug preventing the App Installer from starting without an existing installation of the Windows App Runtime component has been patched, enhancing overall functionality.
Moreover, developers will appreciate the updated Repair-WGPM cmdlet, which now properly manages COM aspects and improves version information retrieval. Internal code related to signal handling has been refined, and support for linking export units with packages in subdirectories has been added, offering more flexibility for package creators.
In summary, this update primarily focuses on enhancing the user experience by smoothing out various issues and establishing font management as a key feature in Windows Package Manager.
If you encounter any bugs or issues while using this release, Microsoft encourages you to report them
In addition to this, the App Installer has been revamped, transitioning from WinUI 2 to the more advanced WinUI 3, along with an upgrade of the Windows App Runtime dependency to version 1.8. This transition aims to enhance user experience and application performance.
The update also brings notable changes to the manifest schema and validation process, now at version 1.12, which introduces two new features: FontInstallerType and NestedInstallerType. These additions enable users to install fonts via winget through a dedicated source without the previous experimental limitations.
Furthermore, various bugs reported by users have been addressed, notably an issue with manifest validation that arose from UTF-8 BOM encoding, which has now been resolved. The update also rectifies a problem concerning the behavior of portable packages that affected environment variables, ensuring that changes do not occur unexpectedly when in dev mode.
Additionally, issues related to multiple sources have been fixed, improving the accessibility of source files during installations. The App Installer's progress reporting and launching issues on older Windows builds have also been resolved. A critical bug preventing the App Installer from starting without an existing installation of the Windows App Runtime component has been patched, enhancing overall functionality.
Moreover, developers will appreciate the updated Repair-WGPM cmdlet, which now properly manages COM aspects and improves version information retrieval. Internal code related to signal handling has been refined, and support for linking export units with packages in subdirectories has been added, offering more flexibility for package creators.
In summary, this update primarily focuses on enhancing the user experience by smoothing out various issues and establishing font management as a key feature in Windows Package Manager.
If you encounter any bugs or issues while using this release, Microsoft encourages you to report them
Windows Package Manager 1.12.420 Pre-release released
Microsoft has released a new pre-release version of the Windows Package Manager (winget), version 1.12.420. This update is focused on improving behind-the-scenes functionality and adding useful features, rather than being a major breakthrough. It includes several key changes, such as the introduction of an MCP server for direct control over winget clients and improvements to App Installer's user interface and font installation capabilities. The update also resolves various bugs that users have reported or discovered internally, making the overall experience smoother and more reliable.
Windows Package Manager 1.12.420 Pre-release released @ NT Compatible
