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Windows Update will soon add app updates to its functionality

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Devs can now experiment with updating programs through Windows Update.

Windows 11 Laptop
(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Windows Update has been a part of the Windows Operating system for decades but it wasn't until recently that Microsoft has expressed any interest in expanding the platform to support individual application updates.

An announcement was recently shared by Annie Chen from Microsoft, explaining that the new Windows Update orchestration platform will make it possible for Devs to implement software updates using the Windows Update platform and corresponding tools.

It's important to note that the new Windows Update orchestration platform has not yet been made available to the public. If you want to check it out now, you have to sign up for the private preview program intended for both developers and teams that need to roll out application updates to Windows.

In the announcement, Chen provides Visual Studio as an example of a given application that must be updated independently. With the new Windows Update orchestration platform, it and other Windows components, as well as third party apps, could be updated centrally from one location.

The Windows Update orchestration platform comes with additional features beyond the application update support. Some of the confirmed features include what Microsoft calls "eco-efficient scheduling". This uses an amalgam of data, including things like user activity to determine the best time to update the machine. It also includes tools that allow devs to send software update notifications using the notification tools built into the platform.

The platform also aims to provide users with a centralized location for viewing important data. Users can explore the update history for all of the supported applications as well as view any error logs that are generated when updates fail. Microsoft also mentions administrator support which allows admins to set deadlines for specific updates.

Again, this new platform has not been made publicly available so only developers and app teams who sign up for the preview program will be able to check it out for now.

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Ash Hill
Ash Hill
Contributing Writer

Ash Hill is a contributing writer for Tom's Hardware with a wealth of experience in the hobby electronics, 3D printing and PCs. She manages the Pi projects of the month and much of our daily Raspberry Pi reporting while also finding the best coupons and deals on all tech.

11 Comments Comment from the forums
  • hotaru251
    As someone who prefers stability in an app over an update possibly having a issue...god no.
    Reply
  • ezst036
    "The Windows application repository", serving up exes instead of debs or rpms.

    This brings a lot of overlap with the Microsoft Store doesn't it? Also how will this affect or overlap with SCCM?
    Reply
  • ravewulf
    While good in theory, Windows Update's track record when it comes to updating some third-party drivers, especially audio drivers, does not bode well for this
    Reply
  • Alvar "Miles" Udell
    Yeah really, just move them to the Microsoft Store, it already has that functionality
    Reply
  • Darkbreeze
    Windows update has offered the ability to update most Microsoft applications and applets for years and years. Not sure why this is even news worthy or considered new. Might not have been available for ALL Microsoft applications, but it's certainly not "new".
    Reply
  • S58_is_the_goat
    ravewulf said:
    While good in theory, Windows Update's track record when it comes to updating some third-party drivers, especially audio drivers, does not bode well for this
    What are you taking aboot? I love it when windows tries to update my hp printer with canon drivers...
    Reply
  • jp7189
    Darkbreeze said:
    Windows update has offered the ability to update most Microsoft applications and applets for years and years. Not sure why this is even news worthy or considered new. Might not have been available for ALL Microsoft applications, but it's certainly not "new".
    The way I read it, this allows non MS app providers to publish updates on this platform
    Reply
  • CelicaGT
    No, no, and NO. MS need to focus on the core OS, which they have botched so badly under the current regime that we all yearn for the elder days when MS was simply monopolistic but at least basically competent. I also do not appreciate Update attempting to install all the Dell crapware I purged with the fresh install media downloaded from MS. I formatted that drive for a reason, jerks!
    Reply
  • Darkbreeze
    jp7189 said:
    The way I read it, this allows non MS app providers to publish updates on this platform
    Seems I missed the part where they indicated it would support 3rd party apps but looking at it again I see it now. I still think it's a bad idea. Half the time they can't even get the updates for their own stuff right without creating issues so I'm definitely not in favor of them trying to offer updates for other people's software. I can just see them forcing 3rd party updates down your throat in instances where you've not updated that application for a reason but then Windows update says oh yes you will like they do for their own stuff.
    Reply
  • jp7189
    Darkbreeze said:
    Seems I missed the part where they indicated it would support 3rd party apps but looking at it again I see it now. I still think it's a bad idea. Half the time they can't even get the updates for their own stuff right without creating issues so I'm definitely not in favor of them trying to offer updates for other people's software. I can just see them forcing 3rd party updates down your throat in instances where you've not updated that application for a reason but then Windows update says oh yes you will like they do for their own stuff.
    It wasn't a focus for this article, but it was the focus for the MS announcement. What's happening here is MS is exposing an API for Windows updates so that app devs can use that function is they so choose.
    Reply