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Microsoft is previewing a Windows Update orchestration platform for app developers and management tool vendors, aiming to centralize update scheduling across Windows 11 devices.
On Tuesday, Redmond announced it's allowing a select group of developers and product teams to hook into the Windows 11 update framework. The system doesn't push updates itself but allows apps to register their own update logic via WinRT APIs and PowerShell, enabling centralized scheduling, logging, and policy enforcement.
"Updates across the Windows ecosystem can feel like a fragmented experience," wrote Angie Chen, a product manager at the Borg, in a blog post. "To solve this, we're building a vision for a unified, intelligent update orchestration platform capable of supporting any update (apps, drivers, etc.) to be orchestrated alongside Windows updates."
As with other Windows updates, the end user or admin will be able to benefit from intelligent scheduling, with updates deferred based on user activity, system performance, AC power status, and other environmental factors. For example, updates may install when the device is idle or plugged in, to minimize disruption.
All update actions will be logged and surfaced through a unified diagnostic system, helping streamline troubleshooting. Microsoft says the platform will support MSIX/APPX apps, as well as Win32 apps that include custom installation logic, provided developers integrate with the offered Windows Runtime (WinRT) APIs and PowerShell commands.
At the moment, the orchestration platform is available only as a private preview. Developers must contact [email protected] to request access. Redmond is taking a cautious approach, given the risk of update conflicts, but may broaden availability depending on how the preview performs.
Meanwhile, Windows Backup for Organizations, first unveiled at Microsoft Ignite in November 2024, has entered limited public preview. Redmond touts the service as a way to back up Windows 10 and 11 devices and restore them with the same settings in place. It's saying it'll be a big help in migrating systems to the more recent operating systems after Windows 10 goes end of life in October.
"With Windows Backup for Organizations, get your users up and running as quickly as possible with their familiar Windows settings already in place," Redmond wrote in a blog post on Tuesday. "It doesn't matter if they're experiencing a device reimage or reset."
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One could also imagine it being useful in the case of a malware or ransomware infection - instead of paying the fee, orgs could wipe the affected machines, restore them from their backups, and be on their way with minimal disruption.
But we're not sure, because further documentation about exactly how the backup-restore process works is scarce at this point. You'll have to sign up for the trial here and let us know what you learn when you get in.
Orgs will have to jump through some hoops in order to qualify, however. Microsoft says the minimum requirements for basic backups include a supported version of Windows 10 or 11, and devices must be Microsoft Entra joined or hybrid joined. To restore those settings on new or reimaged PCs, you'll also need Windows 11 version 22H2 or later, an active Microsoft Intune test tenant with administrator permissions, and enrollment in the Microsoft Management Customer Connection Program.
Windows 10 is still the most used of Redmond's operating systems, so Redmond is doing what it can to spur migrations to the new system. Having the ability to backup and restore settings could help ease corporate users through the upgrade process. ®
