Microsoft has introduced a new feature to Windows 11 that allows users to update installed applications outside of the Microsoft Store, reflecting the company’s continued efforts to improve system transparency and user control. The update, highlighted in an article titled “Microsoft adds new App Updates page to Windows 11’s Settings app for updating installed apps without the Microsoft Store” published by Startup News FYI, marks a notable evolution in the operating system’s approach to application management.
The new “App Updates” page, now available in the Windows Settings app, provides users with a centralized location to manage updates for Microsoft-installed apps and system components, including those not distributed through the Microsoft Store. This change is being rolled out as part of a broader redesign of the Settings experience in Windows 11, aimed at simplifying update mechanisms and reducing reliance on the Store ecosystem for essential software maintenance.
Previously, many first-party apps such as Notepad, Paint, and the Snipping Tool could only be updated via the Microsoft Store, which required users to manually launch the Store app and check for updates. The new functionality streamlines this process, allowing core application updates to be discovered and installed through Windows Update. This is expected to improve system performance and patch delivery in enterprise settings, where Store usage is often restricted or disabled by default.
According to the report on Startup News FYI, the newly introduced App Updates page currently tracks updates for a select group of apps and relies on the Windows Update mechanism, aligning app delivery with the way Windows handles security and driver updates. This unified strategy is perceived as a step towards greater integration of component management within the broader system update infrastructure.
Industry observers note that this change may signal Microsoft’s broader ambitions to make Windows 11 more modular and less dependent on legacy distribution channels. It also reinforces Microsoft’s commitment to addressing long-standing feedback from IT administrators and users who have advocated for more streamlined update tools within enterprise and consumer environments.
While the feature is still in its early stages of deployment, Microsoft is expected to expand its functionality over time, potentially including more third-party or system-level apps in future iterations. Users can currently access the new App Updates page through the Settings app under the Windows Update section, where compatible apps will be listed with update availability and history.
This latest move comes amid Microsoft’s ongoing refinement of Windows 11’s user experience, as the company continues to position the operating system as a modern, cloud-integrated platform aimed at both productivity and security. As with prior enhancements, user feedback is expected to guide the future development of the feature as it matures across upcoming builds.
