Windows 10 will have a command line package manager just like the one you see in all the Linux Distros. This means you can fire up the command line ( PowerShell for windows ) and punch in a command similar to apt-get install to install/update/uninstall an applications for Windows just like in Linux.
If you have ever used Linux used for a while you would be familiar with package managers. A refresher, package manager is a software tool which helps managing applications installed on your computer. That means installing, updating, troubleshooting, and even uninstalling applications can be done from it. In Windows this is handled in the Control Panel but what package manager does is it more like a software hub which is filled with all the applications from trusted resources making it very easy for one to install applications as and when they need it. The package manager is a go-to place to keep everything update too. Sounds subtle and easy right? But that’s not what exactly why it’s loved by most Linux users.
What is Package Manger?
The package manager can be handled even from the command line i.e. you can fire up the console and put some easy commands to install a software directly from the console. This gives you a verbose look at which file is being downloaded and where they exactly go into. Instead of the regular UI one gets when they install any application/software in Windows you are welcomed with a list of files which are being added to the system. The same if followed for overall system update. This makes apps and system updates much more pleasant affair than usual. As you tend to have full control over what is happening.
OneGet, a Package Manager for Windows 10 does exactly that. It runs from the PowerShell and comes by default in the Windows 10 Preview. One can install it on Windows 8.1 as a part of the Windows Management Framework 5.0 Preview but for now its better to wait for it to be completely sorted out and integrated well in Windows 10.
To make it simple to understand check the screenshot below, you can install VLC with on your computer with just a line of code in the PowerShell. That command will locate it from the trusted sources, download it and install it on the computer – everything done automatically.
For more details on how it is well integrated check out How To Geek’s post on OneGet.
It is too early to say everybody will appreciate this new update for Windows, one might never get used to this installation process as they are spoiled with a GUI which is generally pleasant and gives you the option to NOT install the bloat ware which comes with many freeware applications you install in Windows. But this surely will appeal to all the geeks who envied Linux for having such a beautiful command line. Despite being very powerful and robust, the PowerShell is a very underused tool in Windows and this might change how its perceived. This not only will make it more usable but also open a lot of doors to understand how exactly powerful the PowerShell is. Microsoft says, eventually a set of APIs will be announced for developers to tie in the use of PowerShell in their application.
From early reports, Windows 10 and Package Manager seems to be a great idea which is working great. We will see how it is well appreciated over the coming preview builds by early Windows 10 adopters.
