You can't update Win32 apps via the Store on Windows 11

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Key notes

  • We all know that Microsoft is making some major changes when it comes to Windows 11.
  • The Store has also been submitted to change, as have the apps that will be present on the roster.
  • Win32 apps will no longer be updated through the Store itself, but directly from developers.
  • When selecting software in the Store, additional information will be displayed, regarding the update method.
windows 11 store app update

We’ve already seen that, with Windows 11, Microsoft has decided to change a lot of things that we’ve grown accustomed to in Windows 10.

There’s no surprise that the tech giant has also opted for a different approach for the Microsoft Store.

Apparently, Microsoft is no longer trying to turn it into a profit-generating center and has cut its fees deeply, while opening the door for apps from all kinds of sources, including traditional and legacy Win32 apps.

Microsoft came up with a different way to update Store apps

There has been a lot of chatter, lately, on the Microsoft Store topic, especially the one in the new operating system, and we’ve learned that the developers decided to drop the HTML format, in favor of XAML.

New information of the Store’s inner workings has surfaced, and it seems that the Redmond-based tech company is adding even more changes than initially thought.

It seems that with Win32 apps Microsoft is no longer taking any responsibility for updating them, relying on the developers to constantly provide updates for their software.

Updates to Apps are not required to be submitted through the Store. End users will not be able to receive updates from the Store. Apps can be updated directly by You via your App that is installed on a Windows Device after download from the Store.

This means that Developers will also be able to deliver an Installer via the Store and also provide download for the app from their own CDN.

To make things easier and more understandable, Microsoft will be adding a label to help consumers know of this different experience:

Furthermore, this means is that getting an app from the Store implies that we will still have to put up with multiple installers in your taskbar.

However, this also implies that developers have little reason not to add their apps to what is essentially Microsoft’s directory service.

What is your opinion on this change? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

More about the topics: Windows 11