# WinMate

> WinMate (https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev) is a free, open-source web app that generates one PowerShell/CMD script to install many Windows programs at once with winget, Scoop or Chocolatey. It lists 373 curated apps in 25 categories, verified against the official package repositories. The script asks for administrator rights only once, installs everything silently, retries failures and prints a summary.

Key facts:
- Price: free, MIT licensed, no account, no tracking. Scripts are generated locally in the browser.
- Supported: Windows 10 and Windows 11. winget is the default; Scoop and Chocolatey are optional.
- Output: `WinMate-Install.cmd` (double-click), a `.ps1` file, or a PowerShell snippet to paste.
- One UAC prompt: the script relaunches itself elevated once; apps that refuse elevation (e.g. Spotify) run as the normal user.
- Bundles: ready-made sets such as Essentials, Gaming PC, Retro Gaming, Streamer, Developer, Server Admin and Homeserver. Every bundle has preselected core apps and an extended list of optional additions.
- Catalog order: categories alphabetically, apps inside a category ranked best first.
- Optional version pinning to the versions recorded by a weekly automated check of every package ID.
- Verification: every script embeds the same engine; its SHA-256 is published and `winmate.ps1 -Verify <script>` checks it.
- Keyboard shortcuts: / search, arrow keys navigate, Space select, S script, ? help.
- Languages: English (/) and German (/de/).
- Inspired by TuxMate (https://tuxmate.com), the bulk app installer for Linux.

## Main pages
- [App catalog and script builder](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/#apps): select apps, choose a package manager, download the script
- [How it works](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/about/): single admin prompt, package manager comparison
- [FAQ](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/about/#faq)
- [German version](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/de/)

## Data
- [Full catalog with install commands](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/llms-full.txt): every app with winget, Scoop and Chocolatey commands
- [apps.json](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/apps.json): machine-readable catalog (id, name, category, package ids, homepage, descriptions, bundles with core and extended apps)
- [Security and verification](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/security/): what a script does, threat model, how to verify it
- [Source code](https://github.com/baba537/WinMate)

## Categories
- [AI Tools](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/ai/): AI assistants and apps to run large language models locally on your PC.
- [Audio, Video & Screenshots](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/av/): Record, stream and edit: OBS Studio, Audacity, Kdenlive, HandBrake, FFmpeg and screenshot tools.
- [CLI Tools](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/cli/): Modern command-line tools that make the terminal faster and friendlier.
- [Cloud, Sync & Downloads](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/cloud/): Cloud storage clients, file sync, FTP/SFTP, torrent clients and download managers.
- [Code Editors & IDEs](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/editors/): VS Code, Visual Studio, JetBrains IDEs, AI code editors and terminal editors.
- [Communication](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/communication/): Messengers, voice chat, video calls and email clients: Discord, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, Teams, Zoom, Thunderbird and more.
- [Developer Tools](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/devtools/): Git clients, containers, cloud CLIs, database tools and API clients.
- [Files & Archives](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/files/): Archivers like 7-Zip, alternative file managers, instant file search and disk space analyzers.
- [Gaming](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/gaming/): Game launchers and stores, mod managers, emulators, controller tools and game streaming for your Windows gaming PC.
- [Graphics, 3D & CAD](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/graphics/): Image editors, photo tools, 3D software, CAD, 3D-printing slicers and game engines.
- [Hardware & Drivers](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/hardware/): Hardware info, sensor monitoring, disk health, overclocking, fan and RGB control, driver tools and peripheral software.
- [Languages & SDKs](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/languages/): Programming languages, runtimes, compilers, SDKs and package managers.
- [Media & Streaming](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/media/): Video and music players, codecs, streaming apps and media center software for Windows.
- [Notes & Productivity](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/notes/): Text editors, note-taking apps, knowledge bases, diagrams, flashcards and to-do lists.
- [Office & PDF](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/office/): Office suites, PDF readers and PDF tools, scanning, e-books and reference management.
- [Remote Access & SSH](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/remote/): Remote desktop, remote support, VNC, SSH clients and connection managers.
- [Runtimes & Dependencies](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/runtimes/): The runtimes many games and programs silently depend on: Visual C++ Redistributables, .NET, DirectX, Java, WebView2 and more. Install these first on a fresh Windows.
- [Security & Passwords](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/security/): Password managers, 2FA, encryption, malware scanners, sandboxing and firewalls.
- [Self-Hosting & Backup](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/selfhost/): Media servers, tunnels and backup tools to run your own services and keep your data safe.
- [System Utilities](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/utilities/): PowerToys, launchers, automation, uninstallers, bootable USB tools and advanced system tools.
- [Terminal & Shell](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/terminal/): Modern terminals, PowerShell 7, WSL, shells and prompt themes.
- [Virtualization](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/virtualization/): Run other operating systems in virtual machines.
- [VPN & Network](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/vpn/): VPN clients, mesh networking and network analysis tools.
- [Web Browsers](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/browsers/): Fast, private and customizable browsers for Windows, from Firefox and Chrome to privacy-first options like LibreWolf, Brave and Mullvad Browser.
- [Windows Customization](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/category/customization/): Tweak the taskbar, Start menu, context menu, wallpapers and privacy settings of Windows 10 and 11.

## Bundles
- [Essential apps for every new Windows PC](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/essentials/): Browser, archiver, media player, PDF reader and the runtimes most programs expect. The extended list adds utilities such as PowerToys, Everything, ShareX and a password manager.
- [All common runtimes and dependencies for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/runtimes/): Visual C++ Redistributables, .NET, DirectX and WebView2 cover most dependency errors. Java, Vulkan, OpenAL and XNA are in the extended list for older games and Java programs.
- [Office and study apps for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/office/): A free office suite, a PDF reader and an email client. The extended list covers notes, flashcards, reference management, scanning and diagrams.
- [Home office setup for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/homeoffice/): Microsoft 365, Teams, Zoom and OneDrive as the base for remote work. The extended list adds Slack, remote desktop, screenshots and a password manager.
- [Privacy and security toolkit for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/privacy/): A hardened browser, an encrypted messenger, a password manager and disk encryption. The extended list adds a VPN, two-factor codes, a firewall and telemetry settings.
- [Gaming PC setup: launchers, runtimes and tools](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/gaming/): Steam, Discord and the runtimes that most games require. The extended list holds the other launchers, Xbox, mod managers and hardware monitoring.
- [Retro gaming and emulation on Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/retro/): RetroArch covers most systems through its cores, plus controller support and the Vulkan runtime. Standalone emulators from Dolphin to ScummVM are in the extended list.
- [Streaming setup for Twitch and YouTube](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/streamer/): OBS Studio, Discord and audio routing are enough to go live. The extended list adds chat, automation, Stream Deck, NDI and editing tools.
- [Free creative software for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/creator/): GIMP, Krita, Inkscape and Audacity cover photo editing, drawing, vectors and audio. Video editing, 3D and RAW development are in the extended list.
- [Media center and home cinema apps for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/media/): VLC for local files, Spotify for music and Kodi as a media center. The extended list adds Plex, Jellyfin, streaming apps and codecs.
- [Developer setup for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/developer/): VS Code, Git, Windows Terminal and PowerShell 7 as the base. The extended list adds WSL, Node.js, Python, Docker and database and API tools.
- [Web development setup for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/webdev/): Editor, Git, Node.js and Chrome for testing. The extended list adds package managers, Bun, containers, an API client and a design tool.
- [AI tools and local LLMs on Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/ai/): Ollama and LM Studio run language models locally, Python covers your own experiments. Desktop apps for hosted assistants are in the extended list.
- [Server and network administration toolkit for Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/sysadmin/): Terminal, PowerShell 7, an SFTP client and the Remote Desktop app. The extended list adds SSH clients, VPNs and network analysis.
- [Homeserver and self-hosting on Windows](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/homeserver/): A media server, file sync, a mesh VPN for remote access and Docker. The extended list covers backups, downloads, tunnels and USB imaging tools.
- [PC repair and diagnostics toolkit](https://winmate.baba537.workers.dev/bundle/pcrepair/): Hardware and disk diagnostics, the Sysinternals suite and a malware scanner. The extended list adds cleanup, driver removal, backups and rescue USB tools.

## Notes
- WinMate generates install scripts. Updating everything later: `winget upgrade --all`, `scoop update *` or `choco upgrade all -y`.
- After an install run the script writes an undo script that removes only the apps that run installed.