Windows users and IT professionals are set to notice a significant shift in the out-of-box experience when deploying Windows 11, version 24H2, or Windows Server 2025, thanks to a major change in the way Microsoft delivers inbox Microsoft Store app updates via refreshed installation media. This update—rolling out to all new media released as of June 2025 and later—means that the latest versions of built-in Microsoft Store apps now come preinstalled directly with the operating system image. The consequence? Immediate security, compliance, and productivity benefits for organizations and users, who no longer need to wait for post-deployment app updates before their devices are secure or feature complete.
Historically, anyone who installed Windows 11 or Windows Server from official ISO images, virtual hard disks (VHDs), or cloud gallery images would get a fresh, but not entirely up-to-date, suite of inbox apps—such as Calculator, Notepad, the Microsoft Store itself, Photos, and more. The so-called “release-to-manufacturing” (RTM) versions of these apps often lagged behind the latest available from the Microsoft Store. This resulted in a cumbersome user experience: freshly deployed devices immediately triggered dozens of Microsoft Store app updates, burning bandwidth, taking up valuable time, and sometimes introducing delays before users could safely and fully use the built-in suite.
That changes with the refreshed Windows installation images released after June 2025. Microsoft now preloads the latest versions of these apps directly into the media, ensuring that users—and more critically, IT professionals responsible for system security—can expect a more up-to-date system from day one.
With the new policy of monthly media refreshes, new installations are covered by the latest fixes and security improvements, ensuring devices have a more secure configuration baseline—right out of the box. This directly supports compliance efforts with cybersecurity baselines adopted by many enterprises and government agencies.
It should be noted that while this approach closes the gap from RTM to current, it still places a premium on regular media refreshes and diligent patching cycles from IT teams. If older media is used to deploy new systems, the window for risk remains, making the consistent use of current deployment images a new best practice for security-focused organizations.
This brings several concrete benefits:
There’s no change to the tools: IT staff can continue to use re-imaging via Microsoft Configuration Manager, Windows Autopilot, or other enterprise deployment systems as before. Simply point enterprise deployment workflows to the latest image sources, and the new, fully updated app set is delivered automatically.
For existing deployments—such as devices running Windows 11, version 24H2, or Windows Server 2025 installed with pre-June 2025 media—the latest app versions can still be obtained by ensuring all Microsoft Store apps are updated. In cases where the Microsoft Store is restricted or not available (as in some enterprise or education environments), Microsoft Intune and other enterprise app management tools can be used to enforce app updates, ensuring on-premises and remote devices alike align with current security and feature sets.
Capabilities like Microsoft Intune's integration with the Microsoft Store further assist IT admins: devices that don't have store access enabled for end users can still receive app updates, with minimal disruption and no manual intervention.
It's also worth noting that while the new policy guarantees a much-improved initial state, keeping inbox apps up to date over the lifespan of a deployment remains an ongoing responsibility. Automatic update systems—either via the Microsoft Store, Intune, or other device management platforms—are still essential. However, the administrative burden is now significantly reduced at the critical moment when new PCs are joined to the network or front-line VMs are spun up in the cloud.
There is a clear strategic alignment here: as Windows becomes increasingly cloud-integrated, with Azure and Intune at the center of management and security, practices that favor near-instant security and compliance take precedence. For organizations still managing large on-premise fleets, the transition underscores the urgency of staying current—not just with OS updates but with every element of platform currency, including the often-overlooked inbox app layers.
For readers and IT teams eager to dive deeper, Microsoft provides both public documentation and regular best practices discussions via the Windows Tech Community and Q&A portals. Following Microsoft’s official social channels tailored to IT pros further helps teams stay ahead of evolving deployment advice.
As with all platform changes, organizations and users need to adapt old habits—prioritizing regular use of new media and verifying deployment workflows to ensure the promised benefits are realized. Yet the long-term direction is clear: a more secure, streamlined, and user-focused Windows experience, with less friction and more confidence for every fresh deployment. For the modern enterprise—and for all those who manage, secure, or support devices at scale—this marks a welcome and necessary milestone in the evolution of Windows device deployment.
Source: Microsoft - Message Center Inbox Microsoft Store apps update in Windows media - Windows IT Pro Blog
Major Change: Inbox Apps Up-to-Date in Windows Media
Historically, anyone who installed Windows 11 or Windows Server from official ISO images, virtual hard disks (VHDs), or cloud gallery images would get a fresh, but not entirely up-to-date, suite of inbox apps—such as Calculator, Notepad, the Microsoft Store itself, Photos, and more. The so-called “release-to-manufacturing” (RTM) versions of these apps often lagged behind the latest available from the Microsoft Store. This resulted in a cumbersome user experience: freshly deployed devices immediately triggered dozens of Microsoft Store app updates, burning bandwidth, taking up valuable time, and sometimes introducing delays before users could safely and fully use the built-in suite.That changes with the refreshed Windows installation images released after June 2025. Microsoft now preloads the latest versions of these apps directly into the media, ensuring that users—and more critically, IT professionals responsible for system security—can expect a more up-to-date system from day one.
Newer Inbox Apps Included
The Windows 11, version 24H2 media, for example, now delivers no less than 36 updated built-in apps. This upgrade includes crucial everyday utilities and specialized extensions that tie directly into the operating system experience. Among the updated apps now included out of the box are:- Alarms & Clock
- App Installer
- AV1 Video Extension
- Bing Search
- Calculator
- Camera
- Clipchamp
- Microsoft Store
- Media Player
- Notepad
- Office Hub
- Paint
- Phone Link
- Photos
- Power Automate
- Quick Assist
- Snipping Tool
- Solitaire Collection
- Sound Recorder
- Sticky Notes
- Weather
- Windows Security
- Xbox Game Bar
- And many more—including critical codec extensions and web/media support frameworks
Security and Compliance Impacts: A Stronger Baseline
One of the most compelling reasons for Microsoft’s shift lies in security. In corporate or public sector organizations, out-of-date inbox apps can present a significant attack surface. Before this change, even the most freshly imaged or cloud-provisioned device often landed on networks containing versions of apps with known vulnerabilities. Security administrators had to scramble to update these, or face days to weeks of exposure until updates could be applied and CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) addressed.With the new policy of monthly media refreshes, new installations are covered by the latest fixes and security improvements, ensuring devices have a more secure configuration baseline—right out of the box. This directly supports compliance efforts with cybersecurity baselines adopted by many enterprises and government agencies.
It should be noted that while this approach closes the gap from RTM to current, it still places a premium on regular media refreshes and diligent patching cycles from IT teams. If older media is used to deploy new systems, the window for risk remains, making the consistent use of current deployment images a new best practice for security-focused organizations.
Out-of-the-Box Experience: Smoother, Faster, Less Disruptive
For frontline employees, students, or daily users, the impact of these changes is immediate and highly positive. Post-installation update churn—often a source of frustration for new device owners or IT professionals imaging labs—has been drastically reduced. Devices set up from the latest images now spend far less time downloading and installing updates for built-in apps during the crucial initial hours of use.This brings several concrete benefits:
- Reduced bandwidth consumption during mass deployments, reducing office network strain and allowing even locations with limited connectivity to get up to speed more quickly.
- Faster device readiness for users. With fewer pending updates immediately after setup, users can jump straight into their work or play with a reliable and fully featured suite of apps.
- Predictable post-deployment state, essential for organizations that automate device provisioning or require all systems to have the same application versions for troubleshooting or compliance reasons.
Updated Deployment Process for IT and Enterprise
Deploying with the new media is largely business as usual—with a subtle but important shift. To access the refreshed app versions, IT teams and home users alike should ensure that they are downloading ISO images, VHDs, or Azure Marketplace gallery images dated June 2025 or later. These are available through the Microsoft 365 admin center, the Media Creation Tool, and other official Microsoft portals. Windows deployment documentation continues to provide guidance on imaging, but IT shops should note that older approaches (such as using the Volume Licensing Service Center, now retired) are no longer valid.There’s no change to the tools: IT staff can continue to use re-imaging via Microsoft Configuration Manager, Windows Autopilot, or other enterprise deployment systems as before. Simply point enterprise deployment workflows to the latest image sources, and the new, fully updated app set is delivered automatically.
For existing deployments—such as devices running Windows 11, version 24H2, or Windows Server 2025 installed with pre-June 2025 media—the latest app versions can still be obtained by ensuring all Microsoft Store apps are updated. In cases where the Microsoft Store is restricted or not available (as in some enterprise or education environments), Microsoft Intune and other enterprise app management tools can be used to enforce app updates, ensuring on-premises and remote devices alike align with current security and feature sets.
Compliance and Ongoing Management
Updating the baseline for inbox apps is particularly impactful for organizations with regulatory or internal standards for patching, risk management, and software inventories. By narrowing the gap between OS deployment and full application currency, Microsoft enables organizations to tick more compliance checkboxes out of the gate.Capabilities like Microsoft Intune's integration with the Microsoft Store further assist IT admins: devices that don't have store access enabled for end users can still receive app updates, with minimal disruption and no manual intervention.
It's also worth noting that while the new policy guarantees a much-improved initial state, keeping inbox apps up to date over the lifespan of a deployment remains an ongoing responsibility. Automatic update systems—either via the Microsoft Store, Intune, or other device management platforms—are still essential. However, the administrative burden is now significantly reduced at the critical moment when new PCs are joined to the network or front-line VMs are spun up in the cloud.
Strengths of the New Approach
Microsoft’s refreshed app delivery for Windows and Windows Server arrives at a pivotal moment—cloud-first IT strategies, hybrid work, and escalating cyber threats all raise the stakes for secure, rapid, and nondisruptive device deployment. Among the clearest strengths and competitive advantages of this improved approach are:- Reduced Day-One Vulnerability: Devices now start their service lives at a far higher security baseline, crucial for compliance-driven environments and for the protection of end users.
- Smoother Rollouts: Fast, bandwidth-efficient deployments mean that both large organizations and small offices benefit, particularly when rolling out dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of new endpoints.
- Consistency Across Devices: Administrative troubleshooting and support is greatly enhanced by knowing that all devices imaged from new media start with the same, most up-to-date application set.
- IT Resource Optimization: The reduction in immediate post-installation update traffic allows IT resources (both human and network) to be focused elsewhere, speeding adoption and reducing support calls around deployment time.
- Automated Ongoing Compliance: For environments using Intune or integrated device management tools, there’s a clear pathway to ongoing app management and patch currency.
| Key Improvements | Description |
|---|---|
| Security Baseline | Reduces exposure to known vulnerabilities in inbox apps |
| Reduced Bandwidth | Fewer large downloads during first device boot-up |
| Time Savings | Out-of-the-box apps are current, minimizing deployment delays |
| Compliance | Simplifies achieving and maintaining patch and regulatory status |
| User Experience | Cuts disruptive first-run updates for smoother onboarding |
| Version Consistency | Eases troubleshooting and bulk device management |
Potential Risks, Caveats, and Considerations
While these changes represent a meaningful advance, there remain a few potential pitfalls and factors worth highlighting for IT departments and advanced users:Media Refresh Discipline
The guaranteed security and compliance improvements only apply when the latest media is used. Organizations in the habit of relying on older “golden images” or cached deployment files may inadvertently continue to deploy out-of-date inbox apps. This could create a false sense of security and keep organizations stuck with vulnerabilities addressed in more recent app updates.Update Latency Between Monthly Media
The monthly refresh schedule for deployment media is a significant improvement, but can still lead to gaps—particularly in environments with high turnover or frequent device provisioning. A major app vulnerability discovered and patched mid-month would remain unaddressed for devices imaged before the next update window, unless IT proactively pushes new app versions post-deployment.App Compatibility and Customization
Certain enterprises rely on specific app versions or customized builds of inbox applications, sometimes restricting updates for compatibility reasons. This new “latest by default” model may increase the need for validation before deployments or necessitate new processes for holding back updates where required.Store-Independent Environments
While Microsoft touts Store and Intune integration for app updates, some environments—particularly air-gapped, sensitive, or highly regulated networks—may still face hurdles in updating inbox apps outside of regular OS servicing. IT will need clear policies and validated workflows to ensure no endpoints fall behind unintentionally.Risk of Unpredictable Changes
By shifting to a system where inbox apps are updated outside the traditional cadence of OS service packs or cumulative updates, some organizations may perceive a risk around predictability and regression testing. However, this concern is less pronounced compared to cumulative OS updates, as inbox app changes tend to be more modular and less intertwined with core system stability.Legacy Documentation and Process Mismatch
Organizations referencing older technical documentation or guidance around app updates, imaging, or deployment may need to update internal processes to match the new model. As the Volume Licensing Service Center has been deprecated, IT staff should ensure they are sourcing deployment media from current and supported Microsoft platforms.How to Maximize the Value of Updated Windows Media
Organizations and individual users can realize the greatest benefits by adopting the following best practices:- Always source the latest deployment images or media from official Microsoft downloads or cloud galleries before any bulk device rollout.
- Integrate app update checks into imaging or first-boot workflows for legacy or manually provisioned devices to immediately close any version gaps.
- Deploy and configure Microsoft Intune or other supported enterprise app management to enforce app update policies—especially in store-limited or store-disabled environments.
- Regularly audit deployment pipelines and device fleets for version drift, especially if using custom application or security baselines.
- Update internal deployment documentation and endpoint standards to reflect the new process and its security implications.
Looking Ahead: What This Means for Windows Environments
This evolution in inbox app management doesn’t just close a critical vulnerability gap—it streamlines Windows deployment, modernizes security baselines, and shifts the focus from reactive patching to proactive protection. With cyber threats continuing to evolve and the pace of digital transformation quickening, Microsoft’s new approach is a strong signal that continuous currency and operational simplicity are now core to the Windows ecosystem.There is a clear strategic alignment here: as Windows becomes increasingly cloud-integrated, with Azure and Intune at the center of management and security, practices that favor near-instant security and compliance take precedence. For organizations still managing large on-premise fleets, the transition underscores the urgency of staying current—not just with OS updates but with every element of platform currency, including the often-overlooked inbox app layers.
For readers and IT teams eager to dive deeper, Microsoft provides both public documentation and regular best practices discussions via the Windows Tech Community and Q&A portals. Following Microsoft’s official social channels tailored to IT pros further helps teams stay ahead of evolving deployment advice.
Conclusion
With the June 2025 refresh of Windows installation media, Microsoft has delivered a meaningful improvement to the baseline experience for both end users and IT administrators. By providing up-to-date versions of inbox Microsoft Store apps out of the box, the company has drastically reduced the “day-zero” vulnerability window, optimized mass deployment for speed and bandwidth, and eased the ongoing administrative burden around app patching and compliance.As with all platform changes, organizations and users need to adapt old habits—prioritizing regular use of new media and verifying deployment workflows to ensure the promised benefits are realized. Yet the long-term direction is clear: a more secure, streamlined, and user-focused Windows experience, with less friction and more confidence for every fresh deployment. For the modern enterprise—and for all those who manage, secure, or support devices at scale—this marks a welcome and necessary milestone in the evolution of Windows device deployment.
Source: Microsoft - Message Center Inbox Microsoft Store apps update in Windows media - Windows IT Pro Blog
