Microsoft has launched a private preview for a new Windows Update orchestration platform, designed to provide a more unified and coordinated approach to managing updates across applications, drivers, and Windows components. In simple words, your regular apps will be updated from Windows Update.
Currently, many software applications—including enterprise business tools and development environments—implement independent update mechanisms. This can lead to a disjointed experience for users and additional operational complexity for IT administrators. Common challenges include overlapping update schedules, inconsistent notification prompts, and difficulties in aligning compliance policies across different software platforms.
To help address these issues, Microsoft is developing a native orchestration platform that enables developers and product teams to integrate their application updates into the broader Windows Update infrastructure. The platform aims to offer a more consistent and predictable update experience for both end users and system administrators.
Built on the Windows Update stack, the solution provides access to Windows Runtime (WinRT) APIs and PowerShell commands, allowing developers to register their applications as update providers and submit metadata such as update titles, versions, packaging formats, and installation requirements.
The orchestrator schedules downloads and installations based on system usage patterns, power status, and network availability. It supports centralized notification handling through the Windows Update interface, consolidated update history tracking in Settings, and compatibility with administrative policy controls.
Key benefits for developers include reduced implementation overhead, simplified compliance management, and access to centralized diagnostic tools. Additionally, onboarded applications will automatically benefit from future enhancements to the platform.
Developers and product teams interested in participating in the private preview may contact unifiedorchestrator@service.microsoft.com for further details and onboarding guidance.
The official announcement is here.
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