Windows Update might soon handle your app updates too, thanks to orchestration platform

Microsoft is testing a new update system that lets third-party apps use Windows Update directly with the help of orchestration platform. As of now, it’s in private preview for developers.

Until now, most apps on Windows used their own update tools. Some run in the background, others pop up when you open the app. Microsoft’s new approach changes that. Apps can now plug into the same update engine Windows uses.

That means developers will get to schedule updates based on battery level, user activity, or even eco-friendly power hours. If an app uses this new system, you’ll see it in your Windows Update history. It also supports native notifications, so you’ll know exactly what changed and when.

Microsoft says it currently supports MSIX and APPX apps. It’s worth noting that some Win32 apps are also allowed, depending on how they’re built. The new orchestration platform will ensure that no IT admins and developers rely on the Microsoft Store for app updates.

While the Microsoft Store has improved, a lot of big apps are still missing. Microsoft tried to fix this with the Windows Package Manager, but that tool never went mainstream. As of now, the feature is only available in private preview. But if it works well, it could simplify app updates across Windows.