Winget-Repo Client - Automatic Software Updates

This guide walks you through setting up Winget-Repo, connecting a client, and configuring fully automatic background updates via a scheduled task.

1. Set Up a Repository

Set up either a self-hosted or a cloud Winget-Repo repository.

2. Self-Hosted Only: Configure DNS

Skip this step if you are using the cloud variant.

Navigate to the settings and configure the DNS settings there to enable client authentication.

3. Add a Client

Go to the Clients tab and add a new client using the computer name of the target PC.

4. Download the Winget-Repo Client

If adding the client was successful, a new page will open where you can download the Winget-Repo Client. Visit the Winget-Repo_Client GitHub repository, download the latest MSI installer, and install it.

5. Add Winget-Repo as a Winget Source

Configure the Winget source using one of the following two methods:

Group Policy – Deploy the source centrally using a Winget Group Policy. See Microsoft's guide: Manage Windows Package Manager with Group Policy
Manual command – Run the command shown under step 4 of the client setup page. It looks similar to this (values will differ for your instance):

winget source add -n <name> -t "Microsoft.Rest" -a https://cloud.winget-repo.io/cloud/api/<endpoint> --header "{'Token': '<token>'}"

Important: The command must be run as the same user who will use the client, and requires administrator privileges.

6. Download the Configuration File

Download the config.ini file from the setup page.

7. Launch the Client as Administrator

Start the Winget-Repo Client with administrator privileges and open the Settings page.

8. Import the Configuration

Import the config.ini file under Settings. Close the settings, then restart the client — this time without admin rights.

9. Verify the Setup

The client should now run without errors and display the icons of the available packages (if any exist). If no packages are available, it will show "No packages found!".

10. Install or Update Packages

Click a package to install or update the corresponding software.

Configure Fully Automatic Background Updates

To have updates install automatically in the background, follow these additional steps:

11. Repeat the Client Setup

Perform the setup steps from step 3 onward again.

12. Create a Local Administrator Account

Create a new local administrator account and log in with it once on the target computer.

If Winget-Repo was deployed to clients via Group Policy, no further action is needed here.
If you added the source manually, open an elevated (admin) CMD window under this new account and run the command from step 5.

13. Test the Client

Open the Winget-Repo Client once under this account and confirm that it works correctly.

14. Create a Scheduled Task

Open Task Scheduler and create a new task with the following configuration:

General tab: - Run as user: the local administrator account created in step 12 - Check Run whether user is logged on or not - Check Run with highest privileges

Actions tab: - Action: Start a program - Program/script: C:\Program Files (x86)\Winget-Repo_Client\Winget-Repo_Client.exe - Add arguments (startup argument): silent

Set your desired trigger/schedule (e.g., daily or at logon) to complete the task.

Once saved, the scheduled task will silently check for and install available package updates in the background, without requiring the logged-in user to have administrator rights.