microsoft / microsoft/winget-cli

Add an argument to show output in english/disable localisation temporarily

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#3,581 3 comments 9 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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Issue-Feature
Dominant language
C++
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Forks
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Avg merge
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Merged PRs (30d)
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Description

Description of the new feature / enhancement

Add a command-line argument that forces winget into using the english language when printing information on the console.
This will allow automated scripts to parse winget output (and also interact with the command) without having issues on non-english computers.
This feature already exists in some utilities such as dism.exe, that offer the switch /ENGLISH to display the command-line output in english.

While #422 proposes a permanent toggle, this feature would be an argument that has effect only on that command.

Proposed technical implementation details

Add an argument (such as --english, --force-english or --disable-localization) that forces winget to display the command-line output in english.

This would NOT involve translating package-related content such as descriptions or package names, but rather showing the winget interface in english

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

No files or tests are named. Start by locating the CLI argument parsing and the localization paths used for interface output, then verify that a temporary English switch changes winget messages without translating package names or descriptions; add coverage for the argument and its output behavior.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
cli, internationalization, localization
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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