Windows 11 Is Adding Third-Party App Updates to Windows Update. This Might Be The Feature That Makes it Worth Upgrading
Tools like PatchMyPC and Ninite filled the gap for years. Now Microsoft is finally adding Third-Party App Updates to Windows Update in Windows 11.
For most people, updating software isn't just an inconvenience, it’s one of the worst parts of using a computer. That’s especially true for older adults, casual non-tech-savvy users, or anyone who just wants to get something done without the tech getting in the way.
Updating Zoom, Chrome, or almost anything else often means encountering confusing pop-ups, and scattered update processes that get in the way of what they were trying to do.
Now, Microsoft is testing a change in Windows 11 that could quietly resolve all of this, allowing Windows Update to take over the task of updating third-party apps.
So far, I haven’t been able to recommend Windows 11 to most people. Between its awkward and frustrating changes, intrusive settings, and lack of meaningful improvements, there has been no real benefit to upgrading.
However, this one feature, if it works as Microsoft promises, could change everything in the months to come.
If they deliver on this, it won’t just give me a reason to recommend Windows 11, it’ll be the first compelling reason I’ve seen to support the upgrade for regular users.
This could be one of the most genuinely helpful and user-focused improvements Windows has seen in a very long time.
I’m disappointed so far with the tech news industry for not giving this story more attention and weight.
Why App Updates Are Such a Headache
Keeping apps up to date is more than just a chore, it’s a real barrier for people who aren’t tech-savvy. You sit down to use your computer, sometimes days or weeks later to do something simple, like joining a Zoom call or browsing the web, and suddenly you're bombarded with update prompts. Most of these programs handle their updates, often with little consistency between them.
Each one looks and behaves differently. Some programs ask for confirmation, others update silently, and a few require you to download an entirely new version from the website.
It’s not clear to most users what they should click on, or whether it’s even necessary.
That uncertainty leads to delays, frustration, and a growing tendency to just skip the update entirely. But skipping updates carries risk, especially as more apps become common targets for exploits and malware.
At the same time, many apps today seem to require constant updates, sometimes on a weekly basis. Most of these updates are minor. Even some so-called “critical” updates only matter in very specific situations, like if you’re actively being targeted. This creates distrust. People tune them out.
We end up in a “don’t cry wolf” situation where users no longer know what to believe.
Is this one urgent? Is that one optional? It makes me miss the days when we’d buy the next major version off the shelf every few years, knowing it came with real value, improvements, and was worth the price before the days of constant updates. Now, even free software nags constantly, and that wears people down.
Microsoft Is Bringing Third Party App Updates to Windows 11
Microsoft is now testing a new “Windows Update orchestration platform” in Windows 11 that gives developers the ability to register their apps for updates through Windows Update, just like system updates today.
According to Microsoft product manager Angie Chen on the Microsoft Tech Community, the goal is to provide “a unified, intelligent update orchestration platform that handles apps, drivers, and system updates all in one place”.
That means users won’t need to deal with separate updaters for each program, or all in one updaters like PatchMyPC or Ninite, unless they choose to use them. They won’t need to trust random installers. Everything would show up clearly under Windows Update, be consistent, and be trackable in the update history, and it’s already familiar to people.
Why This Matters for Everyday Users
So far, the lack of coverage may seem minor, but its impact could be extraordinary, especially for those who aren’t power users. By bringing third-party app updates into the one place people already know and trust, Microsoft is removing some of the biggest roadblocks to keeping computers safe, secure, and usable.
No more scattered update systems interrupting tasks
No more searching for the latest version on a developer’s website
No more guessing which buttons to click or what permissions are needed
No more surprises when trying to launch an app you thought was ready to use
It’s a return of control to the user, without requiring any new learning. Regular users can stick with what they already know and go to Windows Update, click “Check for Updates,” and let it do the rest.
For individuals who feel overwhelmed by technology or simply want their computer to work without fuss, this could be transformative. It’s one of these “little” changes in life that could be a game changer in how people use their computers, and the ripple effect on their lives.
As The Verge puts it, this new system has the potential to “eliminate the mess of individual app updaters and reduce the load of update-related popups”.
Smarter Updates, Less Disruption
Microsoft says the new system is designed to be “eco-efficient,” updating apps during periods of low activity or while the device is charging. Updates will also appear in the standard Windows Update history and adhere to device policies, just like regular system updates.
That means updates won’t randomly kick in while someone’s trying to work or watch a video. Instead, they’ll happen quietly, automatically, in the background, with none of the disruption that makes people dread using their PC.
The Catch: Developers Need to Opt In
There is one limitation. This system only works if the app developer signs on. In theory, this is a no-brainer, but Microsoft can’t force Zoom, Chrome, VLC, or anyone else to use the Windows Update platform. We shall see.
But the potential is enormous. As Computerworld pointed out, “Microsoft has been trying to centralize and simplify app updates since the early days of the Windows Store,” but this is the first time “the idea has a real shot at being useful across the broader software ecosystem”.
Why This Deserves More Attention Than It’s Getting
Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world, and for decades, Microsoft left a huge gap when it came to keeping third-party apps up to date that it’s users rely on.
During that time, smaller developers stepped up with apps like PatchMyPC and Ninite, among others, which became essential for home users and IT professionals who simply wanted a clean, automated way to manage updates.
I’ll continue to use a combination of those tools for my systems and for clients. Still, by putting this functionality into Windows Update, Microsoft is finally taking ownership of something that should have been there from the beginning.
It has the potential to simplify life for users worldwide and to set a precedent for what basic software maintenance should look like: built-in, transparent, and reliable. This change is incredibly long overdue, and it’s desperately needed.
Final Thoughts
If Microsoft pulls this off and executes it well, and if enough developers participate, it could transform how millions of people manage their computers.
I cannot overstate the impact this could have. This could eliminate a LOT of confusion, frustration, and unnecessary steps.
For regular users, it means fewer interruptions, fewer worries, and fewer reasons to dread opening their laptops. It means not needing an IT person just to get Zoom working again. And it means safer, more stable systems for everyone, without requiring much more effort.
This isn’t just a technical improvement, it could redefine the relationship regular people have with their computers. If done right, it removes one of the biggest sources of confusion, frustration, and distrust in modern computing. It has the potential to fix a problem that has quietly undermined user confidence for decades.
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