microsoft / microsoft/winget-cli

"Failed in attempting to update the source: winget" when using "update" command as non-admin user

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Command-Upgrade Issue-Bug
Dominant language
C++
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Description

Brief description of your issue

When using the command winget update as a non-admin terminal I get the error message "Failed in attempting to update the source: winget". This does not happens if I use the same command elevated.

I'm not 100% sure, but this started happening after upgrading to Windows 11. On Windows 10 I did not had this issue and previously I had the exact same issue on clean installation of Windows 11.

image

Steps to reproduce

Type winget update as non-admin privileges

Expected behavior

winget updating the source "winget"

Actual behavior

winget fails to update source winget"

Environment
Windows Package Manager v1.7.10861
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Windows: Windows.Desktop v10.0.22631.3447
System Architecture: X64
Package: Microsoft.DesktopAppInstaller v1.22.10861.0

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

Start by reproducing winget update on Windows 11 in a non-admin terminal, then compare it with the elevated command using the environment details in the report. Trace the source update path and its permission handling; done means the winget source updates successfully without administrative privileges.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
cli, operating-systems
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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