Summary
- Microsoft is developing an orchestration platform for Windows 11 updates.
- The platform will streamline updates, reduce maintenance costs, and improve notifications.
- It’s currently in private preview, allowing developers to opt-in for software updates management.
Microsoft recently announced a limited public preview of Windows Backup for Organizations, which makes it easier for enterprise customers to back up all of their device settings and preferences and then restore them on any Entra-joined device. In theory, this simplifies the upgrade process from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Now, it seems like Microsoft wants to make the latter operating system even more enticing by constructing an orchestration platform that can handle Windows and app updates centrally.
The future of updates on Windows 11
In a blog post, Microsoft has explained that it is in the process of developing an orchestration platform that is capable of handling all operating system and other software updates in a unified manner. Right now, apps, drivers, and the OS itself offer different update mechanisms, which can be confusing, especially for the average consumer. Other issues that arise from this phenomenon are resource usage spikes, conflicting notifications, missed compliance deadlines, and increased maintenance costs. Redmond wants to solve all of these problems with the introduction of a Windows-native update orchestration platform that handles all your updates.
Microsoft says that its new platform is built on the Windows Update stack and that it will offer an API that developers can leverage to onboard their apps and associated updates to the orchestrator. There will be numerous benefits to utilizing this solution, such as eco-conscious scheduling, a centralized notification system, a holistic update history, streamlined troubleshooting, simpler management for IT admins, and support for common app types like MSIX/APPX and custom Win32 apps.
It is important to note that this orchestrator is in very early stages of development so it is only available as a private preview. Developers will need to explicitly opt in so that the orchestrator can manage their software’s update process, which means that the experience won’t be enforced upon consumers or developers. It’s also worth highlighting that Microsoft’s blog post is hosted in the Windows IT Pro Blog section, which is specific to enterprises, but there is seemingly no reason why this couldn’t become a consumer solution down the line too. It’s certainly an interesting idea and an attractive one for both developers and consumers, if implemented correctly.
