Windows 8.1 May Update Apps in Background

News
By Kevin Parrish
published

No more manual installs in Windows Store.

Another new feature stemming from Windows 8.1 has surfaced, revealing that the new OS will allow Windows Store apps to update automatically in the background via Windows Update. Currently users must jump into Windows Store and manually update their apps even if the setting to automatically download the updates is switched on.

The new feature stems from Windows 8.1 Pro Preview build 9385. BetaArchive reports that the Movie Moments app received an unexpected facelift over the weekend, updated to version 6.3.9394 via Windows Update. The Windows Update "installation history" even verified the update with this message: "Installation Successful: Windows successfully installed the following update: Microsoft.MovieMoments."

"Not only was that the only app that was updated, but apps by the names of 'PlayReady Client', 'VCLibs Preview Internal' and 'WinJS 2.0 Preview Internal' are also updated, and have version numbers ranging from 6.3.9345 to 6.3.9391," the report states.

Build 93865 is the latest Windows 8.1 leak, and follows build 9364 which was unleashed back in March, and the more recent build 9369 and build 9374. This build was reportedly being distributed to Partners of the Microsoft Partner Network just a week prior to the leaked screens, and compiled on April 15. New features discovered in the build includes better f12 developer tools for Internet Explorer 11, settings that enable lock screen notifications and a few more.

One of the big features expected to arrive in Windows 8.1 is a boot-to-desktop option so that users can bypass the new interface altogether without the need for a third-party app. The Start button will reportedly also reappear although it will only load up the Start screen, not the traditional Start menu seen in Windows 7 and older. Users will also have more customization features for the Start screen.

We expect to know more about Windows 8.1 during the BUILD developer conference next month. We may even see the release of the Public Preview build during the event as well.

Kevin Parrish
33 Comments Comment from the forums
  • drwho1
    this is not a good idea, it will lead to unwanted/unneeded Bloatware to be installed.
    Reply
  • AndreT
    I play online games and I do not want my computer to just start randomly taking up bandwidth when I have no control over it doing so. Users better be able to turn this 'feature' off. More reason to stay with Win 7 I guess.
    Reply
  • kickmyjiminy
    For me, all background updates mean is that it will do it at the most inconvenient time possible, like loading a game, trying to write an email, or work. I always set it to ask to do something first, not to just automatically do it.
    Reply
  • InvalidError
    Yay, more background stuff causing "phantom" HDD activity, as if Win8 wasn't already annoying enough with that.
    I really miss the Win9x days where you could still choose at install-time how much bloatware you wanted and where to put it.
    Reply
  • stevejnb
    Not sure I like this for reasons already mentioned by others. It'll be fine for 90% of the people out there but for that 10% that do bandwidth sensitive things or actually want to select what they want to update this is meh. Updates that break programs are at an all time high - bad time to make updates just happen.
    I'd like to assume there will be an option to have this not happen, but, I guess time will tell.
    Reply
  • weierstrass
    Get Linux, don't care.
    Reply
  • Wamphryi
    I would be surprised if there was not an option to download updates on demand just like there is now. Auto updates would work very well when contemplating the security requirements for groups of users. Do not forget that many third part applications download and install updates in the background. Normally you have to switch those features off. So if you have Win 7 it will be happening anyway.
    Reply
  • shafe88
    Wouldn't it be easier and more convenient for the app it's self to notify the user that their is an update when you first start the app and give the user the option to update or not right from the program. So simple to just let the app notify the person that their is an update, when their is an update a simple box pops up letting the person their is an update to the app, and ask the user if they want to update now.
    Reply
  • shafe88
    "Get Linux, don't care. " Something easier for most users "stick with WIn7" simple as that.
    Reply
  • shafe88
    "Get Linux, don't care. " Something easier for most users "stick with WIn7" simple as that.
    Reply