Scoop is a Windows command-line package manager that simplifies the installation and use of common programs and tools. Support for a wide range of Windows software, as well as Unix favorites, is included in Scoop. When compared to the package manager models of Unix systems, it addresses many of the common painpoints with Windows’ software ecosystem.
How to install the Scoop package manager in Windows 10
You can download and install supported programs using Scoop with just one command: “scoop install program,” where program is the program’s name. It’s also easy to update, uninstall, and find software without having to go to websites or the Windows Settings app.
This tutorial will only scratch the surface of what Scoop can do. We’ll show you how to install Scoop so you can use the command above to add apps to your system. In the coming weeks, we’ll be releasing more guides to help you better understand the Scoop ecosystem.
The automated installer, which is distributed as a PowerShell script, is the recommended method of installing Scoop. Run the following command from PowerShell:
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -scope CurrentUser
(Warning: This allows the current user to run scripts that come from a remote location.) Use with caution and read the Scoop website’s notes for more information.)
Then, to download and install Scoop, run the command below. Check the Scoop website to make sure you’re using the most recent version of the command. You can read the script’s source code if you’re concerned about what it does at get.scoop.sh.
iex (new-object net.webclient).downloadstring('https://get.scoop.sh')
Scoop should now be up and running. If you get an error, double-check that the PowerShell execution policy is set correctly (as described above) and look over the Scoop documentation.
After you’ve installed Scoop, you can use it to install software on your computer. The 7zip archive manager is a popular tool. You can install it with Scoop by typing “scoop install 7zip” in the Command Prompt. Scoop will download and install the most recent version of 7zip, as well as any dependencies it may require. A shortcut to the program can be found in the “Scoop Apps” folder of your Start menu.
Scoop comes with dozens of programs pre-installed, and many more can be found through third-party repositories (“buckets”). We recommend reading the wiki for more information on how to use Scoop. This includes a comprehensive list of all the commands available.
Scoop may appear difficult to set up at first, but once it is up and running, it makes program management a breeze. It brings the best features of Unix package management to the Windows desktop, eliminating the need to navigate clumsy, ad-filled download sites and graphical installer prompts.
Related: How to Clear Recent Files in File Explorer on Windows 10
