Microsoft is starting to open up Windows Update to any third-party applications that need to be updated. The software giant is now allowing developers to sign up for a private preview of what it calls the Windows Update Orchestration Platform, which will allow Windows Update to support any application and driver updates in the future. The platform is aimed primarily at business applications, but it will be open to all applications and management tools.
Currently, Windows Update is mostly used to update the core parts of Windows, as well as key device drivers and even to install some third-party programs for managing peripherals. “We’re developing the concept of a unified, intelligent update orchestration platform that can support any update (apps, drivers, etc.) that can be orchestrated with Windows updates,” explains Angie Chen, product manager at Microsoft.
Most Windows programs update on their own, using update mechanisms that developers have built themselves. Microsoft’s new Windows Update orchestration platform will allow app developers to take advantage of scheduled updates based on user activity, battery life, and even sustainable energy savings.
Developers will also be able to connect directly to Windows Update notifications and appear in the app’s Windows Update history. Microsoft will support packaged MSIX/APPX apps and even some custom Win32 apps. Any apps that are part of the Windows Update orchestra will automatically receive future enhancements to the underlying Windows Update platform.
In the past, Microsoft has tried to convince developers to put their apps in the Microsoft Store, where the store can handle updates, or developers can continue to use their own update mechanisms. While the Windows Store has improved significantly in recent years, some apps are still missing, and companies prefer to update their business application lineup on their own.
Microsoft’s Windows Package Manager has also tried to solve some of the problems with installing and updating apps on Windows, but it is not a widely used way to install and manage apps outside of power users and developers.
Integrating more program updates into Windows Update certainly makes sense for a variety of programs, and it will be interesting to see if it is primarily used by businesses, or if large developers like Adobe might switch to the Windows Update system instead of a separate installer running in the background.
