Microsoft is developing a new feature in Windows 11 that consolidates application update management directly within the Settings app.
The latest preview builds reveal a new "App Updates" page that will allow users to manage updates for applications designed to support Windows Update as their delivery channel, marking a significant shift in how the operating system handles software maintenance.
The new interface includes a dedicated section within the Apps category of Settings, displaying the status of available app updates and timestamp information indicating when the system last checked for new versions.
A prominent "Check for Updates" button provides manual control over the update process, though current testing shows the functionality remains incomplete, with the button producing no response in preview builds. Despite this preliminary state, the page already logs automatic update checks, demonstrating that background maintenance routines are operating as designed.
This development aligns with Microsoft's broader strategy to address fragmentation in the update ecosystem. The company outlined its vision earlier in 2025, explaining that current update mechanisms create operational challenges for IT administrators managing multiple update orchestrators across various applications and systems.
Microsoft stated that updates across the Windows ecosystem often feel fragmented, with line-of-business applications, Visual Studio, and other products updating independently, leading to CPU and bandwidth spikes, conflicting notifications, and compliance complications. The new Settings page represents progress toward what Microsoft calls a "unified, intelligent update orchestration platform capable of supporting any update—apps, drivers, and so forth—to be orchestrated alongside Windows updates."
Importantly, the feature applies only to applications that explicitly opt into Windows Update as their distribution mechanism. Most applications installed through the Microsoft Store will continue receiving updates via the Store application itself.
The new Settings update page targets specific software categories, including certain built-in applications and business-oriented programs that choose to leverage Windows Update infrastructure. For environments where the Microsoft Store is unavailable due to administrative policies or intentional removal, this alternative update pathway becomes particularly valuable.
Microsoft has already implemented mandatory update mechanisms for Store applications themselves. Recent rollouts have eliminated the option to indefinitely postpone updates, instead allowing users to defer installations for periods ranging from one to five weeks.
After the deferral window expires, automatic updates resume without user intervention, mirroring the approach taken with Windows 11 system updates. This policy change occurred without formal announcement but became increasingly visible across user communities and organizational deployments throughout late 2024 and 2025.
The strategic implications extend beyond individual user convenience. Enterprise environments stand to benefit substantially, as IT departments gain consolidated visibility over application maintenance across their infrastructure.
Rather than managing disparate update channels for different software categories, administrators can monitor application health through a single interface integrated into Windows Settings. This consolidation reduces operational overhead and helps organizations maintain compliance with security policies more effectively.
The Settings-based update mechanism does not replace existing Microsoft Store functionality. Store apps will continue utilizing their established update infrastructure, while the new Settings page serves as an alternative for applications engineered to support Windows Update delivery.
This dual-track approach preserves backward compatibility while gradually migrating compatible applications toward the unified platform. As development continues and the feature transitions from preview to general availability, Microsoft expects wider adoption among software publishers and enterprise-oriented applications.
The timing of this initiative reflects growing industry recognition that fragmented update management imposes unnecessary complexity on both users and administrators.
By centralizing update orchestration within Windows Settings, Microsoft addresses long-standing usability concerns while establishing groundwork for more sophisticated platform management in future Windows versions.
