Microsoft recently released a new Store CLI tool, which is a native command-line utility that allows users to interact with the Microsoft Store app in Windows 11 directly from Terminal, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. The Store CLI is a command-line interface alternative to the graphical Microsoft Store app in Windows 11. It lets users search, install, and update Store apps without opening the Store app GUI using a simple text-based store command interface with visual formatting.
To use the tool, open a Windows Terminal prompt and run the command:
store
The command will display a list of available arguments (subcommands) along with examples of typical commands.
To search for a specific app in the Store, use the command:
store search [appname]
For example:
store search "adobe reader"
The command will list all the applications in the catalog that match the query (including similar ones). In addition to the name, the list includes the ID, category, and whether the app is free or paid, as well as the price.
Find similar apps:
store similar telegram
Find an app that can open a specific file extension:
store extension psd
There are commands available for browsing Store apps. To list the most popular free apps, for example, run:
store browse-apps top-free
Or, for example, show the top popular paid games:
store browse-games top-paid
List available app categories in the Microsoft Store:
store app-categories
List popular apps in a specific category or subcategory.
store browse-apps top-free --subcategory Database
Show detailed information about a specific app, including its name, ID, rating, and description:
store show 9NK1GDVPX09V
store show "Termius - Modern SSH Client"
To install an app, specify its name or ID:
store install "Termius - Modern SSH Client"
The storcli client will download and install the specified program.
List the Microsoft Store apps that are installed:
store installed
List the apps for which updates are available (by default in Windows 11, Microsoft Store apps update automatically in the background).
store updates
To forcibly update an app, specify its name:
store update "xbox" --apply
Update all apps:
store updates --apply
Although Windows already includes a built-in package manager, WinGet, which can also be used to install Microsoft Store apps, StoreCLI serves a distinct niche.
Key differences between StoreCLI and WinGet:
- Can only be used to install apps from the Microsoft Store
- It allows users to manage paid apps linked to their Microsoft account (WinGet’s primary focus is on free and open-source software)
- StoreCLI always installs the most recent version of the target Store app
- Support searching for similar and related apps using the
similaroption (this option can be used to find a free alternative to the paid app)