Microsoft opens Windows Update to third-party apps (oops)

Microsoft is previewing a new Windows Update platform that allows third-party apps to schedule and manage updates alongside system updates, with the goal of centrally scheduling updates across all Windows 11 devices.

On Tuesday, Redmond announced that it is allowing a select group of developers and product teams to connect to Windows Update in Windows 11. The system will not push updates, but will allow applications to register their own update logic via WinRT APIs and PowerShell, enabling centralized programming, logging, and policy enforcement.

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“Updates across the Windows ecosystem can feel like a fragmented experience,” Angie Chen, product manager, wrote in a blog post. “To solve this problem, we’re building a vision for a unified, intelligent update platform capable of supporting any update (apps, drivers, etc.) that will be orchestrated alongside Windows updates.”

As with other Windows updates, the end user or administrator will be able to benefit from intelligent scheduling, with updates deferred based on user activity, system performance, AC power status, and other environmental factors.

For example, updates will be able to be installed when the device is idle or connected, to minimize interruptions.

All update actions will be recorded and displayed through a unified diagnostic system, helping to simplify troubleshooting.

Microsoft says the platform will support MSIX/APPX applications, as well as Win32 applications that include custom installation logic, provided that developers use the provided Windows Runtime (WinRT) APIs and PowerShell commands.

Currently, the platform is only available as a private preview. Developers should contact unifiedorchestrator@service.microsoft.com to request access.

Redmond seems to be taking a cautious approach, given the risk of more issues with updates. Of course, it could expand availability depending on how the preview performs.

Our view: Windows already has issues with updates, due to its large public adoption and hardware diversity. Right now, every Windows update targets billions of users with different PCs.

If we add to all this the parameter "third-party application updates" from Windows Update, a platform that is already suffering, the results may not be as expected.

giorgos

George is still wondering what he is doing here….