diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index a7a281894..ed773c73f 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 
 # renv 1.1.0  (UNRELEASED)
 
+* `renv::use()` no longer re-installs packages which are already installed
+  and compatible with the requested packages. (#2044)
+
 * Fixed an issue where `renv::init()` could fail when using named remotes
   in a DESCRIPTION file's `Remotes:` field. (#2055)
 
diff --git a/R/use.R b/R/use.R
index 279d9727c..3632eafae 100644
--- a/R/use.R
+++ b/R/use.R
@@ -76,18 +76,40 @@ use <- function(...,
     return(invisible())
 
   # resolve the provided remotes
-  remotes <- lapply(dots, renv_remotes_resolve)
-  names(remotes) <- map_chr(remotes, `[[`, "Package")
-
+  records <- lapply(dots, renv_remotes_resolve, latest = TRUE)
+  names(records) <- map_chr(records, `[[`, "Package")
+
+  # remove any remotes which already appear to be installed
+  compat <- enum_lgl(records, function(package, record) {
+    
+    # check if the package is installed
+    if (!renv_package_installed(package, lib.loc = library))
+      return(FALSE)
+    
+    # check if the installed package is compatible
+    record <- resolve(record)
+    current <- renv_snapshot_description(package = package)
+    diff <- renv_lockfile_diff_record(record, current)
+    
+    # a null diff implies the two records are compatible
+    is.null(diff)
+    
+  })
+  
+  # drop the already-installed compatible records
+  records <- records[!compat]
+  if (empty(records))
+    return(invisible())
+  
   # install packages
   records <- local({
     renv_scope_options(renv.verbose = verbose)
-    install(packages = remotes, library = library, prompt = FALSE)
+    install(packages = records, library = library, rebuild = character(), prompt = FALSE)
   })
 
   # automatically load the requested remotes
   if (attach) {
-    enumerate(remotes, function(package, remote) {
+    enumerate(records, function(package, remote) {
       library(package, character.only = TRUE)
     })
   }