Fresh gaming PC? Don't waste an evening clicking through installer wizards. Here are 15 winget packages that turn a clean Windows install into a fully-loaded gaming setup in under 10 minutes.
TL;DR — install everything
Open Terminal as Administrator and run:
winget install --id=Valve.Steam -e --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements
winget install --id=Discord.Discord -e
winget install --id=EpicGames.EpicGamesLauncher -e
winget install --id=OBSProject.OBSStudio -e
winget install --id=Nvidia.GeForceExperience -e
winget install --id=AdvancedMicroDevices.AMDSoftwareAdrenalinEdition -e
winget install --id=GOG.Galaxy -e
winget install --id=ElectronicArts.EADesktop -e
winget install --id=Ubisoft.Connect -e
winget install --id=Mozilla.Firefox -e
winget install --id=Spotify.Spotify -e
winget install --id=Microsoft.VisualStudioCode -e
winget install --id=Microsoft.PowerToys -e
winget install --id=NohBoard.NohBoard -e
winget install --id=AntibodySoftware.WizTree -e
Walk away. Come back to a ready gaming machine.
Or use our Gaming PC bundle to copy a single install command.
The list, with what each one does
1. Steam
winget install --id=Valve.Steam -e
Non-negotiable. Steam is where 80% of your library lives. Install first, log in, start downloading games while everything else installs.
2. Discord
winget install --id=Discord.Discord -e
Voice chat, friends, communities. Sign in with your account and your servers are right there.
3. Epic Games Launcher
winget install --id=EpicGames.EpicGamesLauncher -e
Free weekly games + Fortnite + Rocket League + EA Originals + your Epic library.
4. OBS Studio
winget install --id=OBSProject.OBSStudio -e
Best free screen recorder and streaming software. Even if you don't stream, the local recording is invaluable for clipping plays.
5. NVIDIA GeForce Experience
winget install --id=Nvidia.GeForceExperience -e
Auto-detects your GPU, downloads driver updates, optimises game settings, and enables ShadowPlay (instant replay recording). If you have an NVIDIA card, install this.
6. AMD Adrenalin Edition
winget install --id=AdvancedMicroDevices.AMDSoftwareAdrenalinEdition -e
The AMD equivalent if you're on a Radeon GPU.
7. GOG Galaxy
winget install --id=GOG.Galaxy -e
For DRM-free games and the GOG library. Even if you don't buy from GOG, Galaxy aggregates Steam/Epic/Xbox libraries in one launcher.
8. EA Desktop
winget install --id=ElectronicArts.EADesktop -e
Required for Apex Legends, FIFA, Battlefield, and EA Play subscription games.
9. Ubisoft Connect
winget install --id=Ubisoft.Connect -e
Required for Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six Siege, and other Ubisoft titles.
10. Firefox (or Chrome)
winget install --id=Mozilla.Firefox -e
# or
winget install --id=Google.Chrome -e
You need a real browser. Edge works but most people prefer alternatives.
11. Spotify
winget install --id=Spotify.Spotify -e
Background music while gaming. Hot tip: enable "Always show Spotify in the system tray" so it doesn't clutter your taskbar.
12. Visual Studio Code
winget install --id=Microsoft.VisualStudioCode -e
Even non-developers eventually need to edit a config file, mod a game, or write a script. VS Code handles all of it.
13. PowerToys
winget install --id=Microsoft.PowerToys -e
Microsoft's productivity suite: window snapping, color picker, fancy paste, mouse highlighter (great for streaming), and Keyboard Manager for remapping keys.
14. NohBoard
winget install --id=NohBoard.NohBoard -e
On-screen keyboard overlay — useful for streamers who want viewers to see their inputs (rhythm games, speedrunners).
15. WizTree
winget install --id=AntibodySoftware.WizTree -e
Cleans up drive space fast. Visualises which games and folders eat your storage — invaluable when your 1TB SSD fills up.
Bonus picks
These didn't make the top 15 but are worth considering:
| Package | What it does |
|---|---|
Nvidia.NVIDIAGeForceNow |
Cloud gaming |
Valve.SteamLink |
Stream Steam games to other devices |
Razer.RazerInstaller |
Razer peripherals |
Logitech.LGHUB |
Logitech G-series peripherals |
Corsair.iCue |
Corsair lighting + keyboards |
MSI.Afterburner |
GPU overclocking + monitoring |
JetBrains.Toolbox |
If you stream and edit clips with IDEs |
KDE.Krita |
Free digital painting (alternative to Photoshop) |
Mojang.MinecraftLauncher |
If you do Minecraft |
Roblox.Roblox |
If you do Roblox |
Pro tips for the install
Don't run all 15 at once if your bandwidth is slow. winget downloads installers in parallel, which can choke your connection. Run 3-5 at a time:
$apps = @(
"Valve.Steam",
"Discord.Discord",
"EpicGames.EpicGamesLauncher"
)
$apps | ForEach-Object {
winget install --id $_ -e --silent --accept-package-agreements --accept-source-agreements
}Save your setup for next time. After installing, export the list:
winget export -o gaming-rig.json --include-versions
Save to OneDrive. Next time you build a PC or wipe your install:
winget import -i gaming-rig.json
Check what's outdated weekly:
winget upgrade --all
Or set up Winget-AutoUpdate for background updates.
What about anti-cheat?
Some anti-cheat systems (Vanguard, Easy Anti-Cheat, BattlEye) need their own installers. winget covers the launchers but not always the anti-cheat — that gets installed when you launch the first game that needs it.
What about drivers?
winget doesn't manage hardware drivers. Use:
- GeForce Experience / AMD Adrenalin for GPU drivers (auto)
- Windows Update for chipset and basic drivers
- Manufacturer site for motherboard, sound card, peripherals
Build your own
These 15 are a starting point. To customise:
- Go to winget.tech/browse
- Search and click + on apps you want
- Hit Generate script when done
- Pick Batch (.bat) for double-click installs
You'll get a custom install command with exactly the apps you picked.
What's next?
- Gaming bundle → — pre-made list
- Fresh Windows 11 setup → — full setup workflow
- Winget commands cheatsheet → — reference
- How to update all apps → — keep current