Here's what the future holds for app updates via Windows Update, based on up-to-date insights and the context from GHacks and internal documentation:
What Is Changing?
Microsoft is moving towards allowing some third-party (non-Microsoft) applications to be updated automatically via Windows Update. This marks a substantial change from the traditional split, where only Microsoft apps and system components were eligible for automatic updates via this channel; other apps were responsible for their own update strategies (either built-in updaters, Microsoft Store, or manual installation).
How Will It Work?
Summary:
Microsoft is on the brink of transforming Windows Update into a unified update tool not only for the OS and Microsoft software, but for a broader class of regularly-used apps. This means fewer updaters to manage, fewer security holes, and far less downtime for end-users and organizations. As a user, you can expect smoother, nearly-invisible updates for many of your apps, though the exact scope will depend on developer adoption and future Windows versions.
Source: gHacks Technology News Some of your apps could update via Windows Update in the future - gHacks Tech News
The Future: Windows Update to Support Third-Party App Updates
What Is Changing?Microsoft is moving towards allowing some third-party (non-Microsoft) applications to be updated automatically via Windows Update. This marks a substantial change from the traditional split, where only Microsoft apps and system components were eligible for automatic updates via this channel; other apps were responsible for their own update strategies (either built-in updaters, Microsoft Store, or manual installation).
How Will It Work?
- Unified Update Pipeline: Windows Update will serve not just Microsoft products, but also certain third-party apps. This is enabled by new servicing stack improvements, more modular Windows architecture, and features like “hot patching” (which lets updates apply with minimal or no restarts for many non-core apps and components).
- Automatic and Background Updates: Updates may increasingly happen in the background, minimizing interruptions—reboots may still be needed for some core components or OS features, but many app updates will not require restarts.
- Conditional Downloads: For apps also available via the Microsoft Store, Windows Update will check if you already have the latest version, and avoid redundant downloads—saving time and bandwidth. This approach applies for major feature updates too, streamlining and slimming down the process (updates are faster and less resource-intensive).
- A notable case occurred in late 2024, when a problematic version of WinAppSDK broke update mechanisms for certain Microsoft Store apps. The fix was delivered as an optional Windows Update (KB5046714), showing that not just OS components but app frameworks (affecting many third-party apps) can be serviced this way.
Why Is Microsoft Doing This?
- User Experience: Aims to end the inefficiency and confusion of multiple update channels and missed security updates.
- Security: Centralized, reliable updates make it harder for users to fall behind on important vulnerabilities.
- IT/Admin Control: Organizations should get more robust rollout tools with less downtime, thanks to live patching and smarter update scheduling.
- Resource Optimization: Updates are smaller, faster, and less taxing on battery and CPU—in part due to smarter “conditional download” and parallel processing innovations.
Limitations & Open Questions
- Participation: Not all third-party apps will become eligible right away; developers must integrate their software with the new update platform.
- Control: Microsoft hasn’t fully detailed how much choice users will have (e.g., can you block auto-updates for certain non-Microsoft apps?).
- Scope: Some updates—especially low-level OS updates or those involving hardware/drivers—will still require reboots, but many ordinary app updates will not.
- Timing: Features are rolling out gradually, and many are in preview, with full rollout expected over the next versions of Windows.
Summary:
Microsoft is on the brink of transforming Windows Update into a unified update tool not only for the OS and Microsoft software, but for a broader class of regularly-used apps. This means fewer updaters to manage, fewer security holes, and far less downtime for end-users and organizations. As a user, you can expect smoother, nearly-invisible updates for many of your apps, though the exact scope will depend on developer adoption and future Windows versions.
Source: gHacks Technology News Some of your apps could update via Windows Update in the future - gHacks Tech News
