Scoop: The Package Manager Windows Should Have Had from the Start
Scoop is what happens when someone asks, “Why doesn’t Windows have something like `apt` or `brew`?” — and then just builds it.
It’s a lightweight command-line installer for Windows programs, designed for power users who prefer scripts over setup wizards. With a single command, you can install hundreds of CLI tools, dev environments, GUI apps, and even fonts — without admin rights or clicking through installers.
Everything goes into your home directory. No UAC prompts. No registry mess. No surprises.
Why It’s a Favorite for Windows Power Users
Feature | How That Pays Off in Practice
——–|————————————————————————
No Admin Rights Needed | Install anywhere — great for restricted environments
Home Directory Installs | No pollution of `Program Files` or system-level paths
Multiple Buckets | Core apps, extras, versions, Java, nerd-fonts — all organized neatly
Portable by Design | Apps live in their own folders, easy to relocate or archive
Version Control | Install specific versions, roll back, or switch between them
Script-Friendly | Great for provisioning scripts, CI pipelines, or developer onboarding
Cross-Platform Tools | Grab Unix-style utilities (`sed`, `grep`, `curl`, etc.) on Windows
Minimal Footprint | No background services, daemons, or bloated frontends
Who Actually Uses It
– Windows developers automating their setups without Chocolatey overhead
– Sysadmins maintaining portable toolkits for diagnostics or scripting
– CI/CD runners provisioning Windows agents via PowerShell
– Students and IT pros managing non-admin systems at scale
It’s also ideal for VMs, containers (like Windows Sandbox), or jump boxes where keeping a system clean and replicable is key.
Getting Started
1. Install via PowerShell (no admin needed):
Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -scope CurrentUser
irm get.scoop.sh | iex
2. Install an app (example: git):
scoop install git
3. Add more buckets (e.g., extras, versions):
scoop bucket add extras
scoop install vscode
4. Update everything:
scoop update *
5. Uninstall cleanly:
scoop uninstall
Requirements
– OS: Windows 7+
– Shell: PowerShell 5+ (comes with modern Windows)
– Tools: git, 7zip, and curl (Scoop installs them if missing)
– Permissions: Regular user account (admin not required)
Final Thought
Scoop doesn’t try to be everything — it just makes Windows behave a little more like Unix when it comes to software. If you’ve ever groaned at an `.exe` installer or wished for `brew install` on your workstation, this is probably what you were looking for.
📦 Project Site: https://scoop.sh
📘 GitHub: https://github.com/ScoopInstaller/Scoop
