Windows Update becomes a central platform for all app updates

Microsoft continues to develop Windows Update into a central platform for all software updates. In the future, not only system and drivers updates, but also app updates will be distributed through the known mechanism.

Windows Update becomes a central app platform

Microsoft clears up: In the future, software updates on Windows should be much clearer. Instead of individual programs that ask about updates independently of one another, everything should run through a central platform in the future – the new “Windows Update Orchestration Platform”. Windows Update should thus become the universal interface for system, drivers and app updates. Developers can integrate their applications directly into the system – whether modern MSIX/AppX packages or classic Win32 programs. Microsoft promises uniform processes and fewer chaos when updating.

No more update game growth

Almost every software currently relies on its own update logic. This leads to unnecessary CPU and networks, uncoordinated notifications and, in the worst case, to security gaps through forgotten updates. Especially for users who do little on the PC, the whole update procedure is rather opaque. Microsoft wants to solve these problems with the central orchestrator. The updates are then intelligently planned, whereby system utilization and user behavior are included, which ensures a consistent user experience.

A platform, many advantages

For users, this means one thing above all: less interruptions. Updates of all applications can be displayed in the Windows settings in the future, also as a history to see when updates were recorded. Installations run automatically in the background, ideally if the computer has nothing to do anyway. Developers also benefit: You no longer have to build your own updates. The integration is via Windows Runtime (WinRT) APIS or PowerShell scripts. Specific installation logics, executable files as well as remaining type and final processes can be specified for Win32 apps.

Update management at a new level

The orchestrator controls the entire process from checking updates to the user notification to installation. Feedback via success or failure flow back into the system, it can be reacted automatically and improved. Windows Update has developed from a simple download page to a central component of the operating system since its start in 1998. With the new platform, Microsoft is taking the next step and turns Windows an update hub for the entire software ecosystem. If you want to be there early as a developer, you can already register for the preview version.