Microsoft is Finally Fixing App Updates on Windows—Why Did It Take So Long?

Windows News

Jun 9

For decades, Windows users have dealt with a chaotic and inefficient app update experience. While platforms like Android and iOS streamlined updates through a single system, Microsoft left users with a fragmented mess—where every app had to manage its own updates, often leading to performance drains and security risks. Now, at its Build 2025 developers' conference, Microsoft is finally addressing the problem by introducing the Windows Update orchestration platform—a system that aims to unify app updates under one umbrella.

The Problem: A Patchwork of Update Systems

The way apps update on Windows has long been one of its biggest weaknesses. Unlike Linux’s centralized package management, Windows updates have been completely decentralized, meaning:

Some apps quietly update in the background without user intervention.
Others prompt users with pop-ups, requiring them to manually approve every single update.
Many apps don’t check for updates at all, leaving users vulnerable to security exploits.

Businesses managing entire fleets of computers have had an even harder time ensuring that every application stays up to date, as there has never been a single place within Windows to check or enforce software updates.

Windows 8’s Failed Attempt at a Solution

Microsoft recognized this issue years ago when it introduced the Windows Store with Windows 8. The idea was to create an app-store-like experience where apps would install and update seamlessly. However, there was one fatal flaw: the Store only supported Metro-style apps (later called Modern or Store apps).

Traditional desktop applications—where the majority of users spent their time—weren’t included, forcing developers and users alike to continue using their own standalone update systems. Microsoft eventually allowed desktop apps into the Store in Windows 11, but by then, most users had already trained themselves to ignore the Store entirely.

Windows 11’s Fix: The Windows Update Orchestration Platform

Now, more than a decade after Microsoft first attempted to unify app updates, the company is finally bringing all updates under Windows Update. The Windows Update orchestration platform will allow app developers to plug into Windows Update, enabling updates to be managed centrally.

Importantly:

Microsoft will not host app updates—updates will still come from the developers' own servers.
Windows Update will act as the manager, notifying users of available app updates and streamlining the installation process.
Users will finally have a single place to update all their apps, eliminating the need for multiple updaters running in the background.

This means that apps like Google Chrome and Adobe Acrobat, which currently use their own update systems, could shift to this new model—letting Windows handle updates just like it does for system updates.

Will Developers Embrace This New System?

While this sounds like a fantastic upgrade, there’s a major question: Will developers actually adopt it?

Many companies—especially giants like Google, Adobe, and Autodesk—have invested heavily in their own update frameworks, often using them for telemetry and security controls. Handing over that responsibility to Microsoft might not be appealing, especially when their current systems have worked well for them.

Some developers may refuse to opt in, meaning we could still see a future where certain apps ignore the Windows Update orchestration system altogether.

Alternatives for Users

While Microsoft’s solution is still in preview mode, users can turn to third-party tools to simplify app updates today. Options like:

Winget (a package manager built into Windows)
UniGetUI (formerly WingetUI, providing a graphical interface for Winget)
Patch My PC Home Updater (which supports automatic updates for over 500 applications)

These solutions help bridge the gap until Microsoft’s new system gains wider adoption.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft’s move toward a unified update system is long overdue, and while it won’t fix every issue overnight, it’s a huge step toward improving Windows app management. The real test will be whether developers choose to embrace the new framework or stick to their independent update systems.

For now, users can look forward to an era where multiple update pop-ups, slow manual approvals, and inconsistent security patches are no longer the norm. It’s not perfect, but it’s finally heading in the right direction.