Microsoft to Bring Store App Updates to Windows Update

Yes, Microsoft is developing a new feature that will enable users to manage and update Microsoft Store apps from the Windows Update settings page. This is part of a larger initiative to provide a “unified, intelligent update orchestration platform” for Windows.

The newest and most recent Windows 11 preview releases suggest that Microsoft is working on some new approach for customers to update Microsoft Store apps that may be less irritating than updating through the Microsoft Store. The new “App Updates” page has debuted under Settings > Apps. This page allows users to check for updates to apps that support this functionality, even if the Microsoft Store app is not installed or accessible due to IT policies. The build reveals and proves that Microsoft is developing an update system that will allow you to check for app install updates via the Windows Update service, rather than the Microsoft Store itself.

The approach allows apps to remain updated even when the Microsoft Store is unavailable, whether because of administrative policies or the Store app being uninstalled. This idea also is to give a single, streamlined site for managing operating system and application upgrades, which has previously been a fragmented experience.

The page is currently not totally functional, and tapping the check for update button does not operate. The site was thought to be reserved for business-oriented programs, however it has been proven that any application would be able to delegate updates to Windows Update.

Earlier this year, Microsoft stated that the Windows environment can feel fragmented when it comes to program upgrades for IT administrators. To address this issue, the company stated that it is developing a “unified, intelligent update orchestration platform capable of supporting any update (apps, drivers, etc.) to be orchestrated alongside Windows updates.”

It will be interesting to watch whether Microsoft adopts a model in which app updates are distributed with Windows Updates to streamline updating. Many Linux users are already familiar with this method, as software and security updates are typically given in one go via an update manager, particularly on systems such as Linux Mint.

It is important to note that this feature is still in development, and it is unclear when it will be available in stable releases. 

This capability is not available for all Microsoft Store apps; instead, developers can delegate the app’s updating process to the Windows updating platform. This is especially beneficial for line-of-business (LOB) applications in enterprise situations.

The feature is still being developed and tested through the Windows Insider channels. The “Check for updates” option on the new site is not fully functioning in current preview builds, although it is planned to be improved before a general release.

Most programs will continue to work normally with the existing automatic update mechanism via the Microsoft Store app.