winget install should optionally upgrade only if a newer version is available

[matbech]

Description of the new feature/enhancement

As a user I want to ensure that the latest version of package X is installed, whether this package is already installed (and optionally needs to be upgraded) or not. If the package is already installed and an upgrade is available, the upgrade should be done. If no upgrade is available, the package should not be reinstalled (which is currently the case with winget install). If the package is not installed, it should be installed.

To achieve this goal with the current implementation, I have to first run:
winget upgrade X
if the command fails with
"No installed package found matching input criteria."
ERRORLEVEL = -1978335212
Then I install the package with:
winget install X

If I call winget install X, the package will be reinstalled, even if the latest version of the package is already installed.

Proposed technical implementation details (optional)

I propose an additional command line switch --upgrade for the winget install command. If the switch is enabled, then the install command should only install (upgrade) the package if a newer version is available.

[sanamhub]

I agree on it with @matbech

If the package is already installed and an upgrade is available, the upgrade should be done. If no upgrade is available, the package should not be reinstalled (which is currently the case with winget install). If the package is not installed, it should be installed.

WPM would be much welcome or adds much value to Windows Ecosystem as a Package Manager after implementation of these things @denelon

[denelon]

We have a couple of related bugs being actively worked on to improve this scenario.

• upgrade --all installs packages that are already up to date #1075
• winget upgrade --all shouldn't install the same package more than once #1105

[sanamhub]

Thanks for the update!
However this issue is related to install and they're related to upgrade so, this may need an extra work..

[sanamhub]

It would be great if this issue also get addressed in milestone v1.2-Client

[denelon]

This may be a duplicate.

See

• winget should not install an already installed package #929

[denelon]

Duplicate of #929

[ghost]

@matbech we've identified this Issue as a duplicate of another one that already exists. This specific instance is being closed in favor of tracking the concern over on the referenced Issue. Thanks for your report! Be sure to add your 👍 to the other issue to help raise the priority.