How to Install Windows Configuration Designer Using Winget Command

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Windows Configuration Designer is a powerful Microsoft tool that simplifies the task of setting up and deploying Windows devices in an organization. Whether you’re configuring devices for a school, business, or a personal network of systems, this toolkit allows you to automate installations, manage settings, and customize Windows features effectively. Installing it using the winget command-line tool makes the process exceptionally swift and efficient.

TL;DR

If you’re looking for a fast way to install Windows Configuration Designer, using the winget command on Windows 10 or 11 is the easiest method. Simply open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt and type: winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsConfigurationDesigner. Make sure you have winget installed and updated before beginning. This guide walks you through all the prerequisites, the installation, and post-installation setup.

What is Windows Configuration Designer?

Windows Configuration Designer is part of the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK), but it can also be installed as a standalone application from the Microsoft Store or using the Windows Package Manager (winget). It allows administrators to:

  • Create provisioning packages for Windows installations
  • Automate out-of-box experience (OOBE)
  • Preconfigure user accounts, network settings, app installations, and more
  • Deploy Windows configurations to multiple devices quickly

Using the winget method to install it offers a quicker, hassle-free experience, ideal for IT professionals and enthusiasts alike.

Prerequisites Before Installation

Before jumping into the command line, ensure your system meets these prerequisites:

  1. Windows 10 version 1809 or later: Winget has been officially supported only starting from this version.
  2. App Installer Package: This is usually pre-installed in Windows, but if not, you can download it from the Microsoft Store.
  3. Winget CLI (Windows Package Manager): Test it by running winget --version in Command Prompt or PowerShell. If it returns a version, you’re good to go.

If winget is not recognized, you’ll need to install the latest version of App Installer from the Microsoft Store or GitHub releases page. Note that administrator privileges are needed for installing some apps using winget.

Step-by-Step: Installing Windows Configuration Designer with Winget

Ready to get started? Here’s how you can install Windows Configuration Designer using the winget command in a few simple steps.

  1. Open a Command Line Interface
    • Open Command Prompt, Windows Terminal, or PowerShell. Right-click and select “Run as Administrator” to avoid permission issues.
  2. Check Winget Availability
    • Run winget --info to make sure it is available and functioning.
  3. Search for the App
    • Optionally, you can search for Windows Configuration Designer by running:
      winget search Windows Configuration Designer

      This will display package details such as ID, source, and version.
  4. Install the Application
    • Execute the following command:
      winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsConfigurationDesigner
    • Wait for the installation process to complete. It should not take more than a minute or two, depending on your internet speed.

Tip: If you encounter any issues, try running the command again with administrator privileges. You can also add --silent if you wish to perform an unattended installation.

Verifying Installation

After installation is completed, you’ll want to verify that everything installed correctly. Follow the steps below:

  1. Search in the Start Menu: Click on the Windows Start Menu and type Windows Configuration Designer. The app should appear in the list.
  2. Open the Application: Launch it to see if the UI opens without errors. You should be presented with options to create a new provisioning package or open an existing one.

Congratulations! You’ve now successfully installed a powerful tool to help automate and streamline your Windows deployments.

What Can You Do with Windows Configuration Designer?

Once installed, Windows Configuration Designer opens up a range of possibilities:

  • Create Provisioning Packages: Customize Windows settings, account configurations, apps, Wi-Fi details, and more.
  • Use Templates: There are pre-configured templates for schools, businesses, and development purposes.
  • Deploy Settings via USB or Network: Export your provisioning package and apply it to other computers during OOBE using removable drives or shared folders.

These features are especially useful in enterprise environments or educational institutions that need to configure and deploy multiple machines quickly and consistently.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you run into problems during installation, here are a few common issues and how to address them:

  • Winget Command Not Found: Make sure you have the latest version of the App Installer from the Microsoft Store. Restart your PC after installation.
  • Error Code 0x80073D52: This usually means the app is already installed. Try launching it manually from the Start Menu.
  • Permission Denied: Use an elevated Command Prompt by running it as administrator.

Advantages of Using Winget for Installation

So why bother with winget when you could just download an installer or visit the Microsoft Store? Glad you asked!

  • Speed: Winget downloads and installs apps much faster than browsing through a store or website.
  • Scripting Friendly: Add installation commands to batch files or PowerShell scripts to automate your entire setup.
  • No Clicks Needed: Especially useful for IT professionals managing dozens or hundreds of machines.

Moreover, since winget is a Microsoft-supported CLI tool, it ensures you’re fetching software from trusted sources.

Updating or Uninstalling Windows Configuration Designer

If you need to update or uninstall the application in the future, here’s how to do it using winget:

  • Update:
    winget upgrade --id Microsoft.WindowsConfigurationDesigner
  • Uninstall:
    winget uninstall --id Microsoft.WindowsConfigurationDesigner

Both commands are equally straightforward and provide logging output to track what’s happening, which is useful when working in production environments.

Final Thoughts

Installing Windows Configuration Designer using winget is one of the most efficient ways to get started with provisioning and deploying Windows-based machines. The tool itself is indispensable for IT admins and power users who need to ensure consistency and speed in their Windows setups. Combined with the power of scripting and CLI automation, this can save hours of manual configuration.

Don’t underestimate the capability of this small but mighty tool. Once you’ve set up your first provisioning package, you’ll never go back to manual installations again.