How do provisioned apps get updated?

Copper Contributor

Hello all

 

How do provisioned apps get updated? The apps im talking about are Camera and Calculator etc.

 

  1. Do they never get updated? 
  2. Do they get updated only by feature updates?
  3. Are they updated in monthly cumulative updates?
  4. Are they updated through the Microsoft Store?

 

7 Replies
Hi,
they are updated through Microsoft store.
all of the UWP (universal Windows Platform) apps, whether they are built-in (Camera, Calculator, Sticky Notes etc.) or installed by user, are updated through Microsoft Store.

@HotCakeX Thanks.  Do you have a source link for that info?

@Simon Smith 

Sure, but have you ever used Windows store? there is an update button, when you press it, it will check for updates and if no policy is blocking it and you have an Internet connection and pending updates, you should see your apps update.

 

  • Windows apps - introduced in Windows 8, primarily installed from the Store app.
  • Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps - designed to work across platforms, can be installed on multiple platforms including Windows client, Windows Phone, and Xbox. All UWP apps are also Windows apps, but not all Windows apps are UWP apps.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/application-management/apps-in-windows-10

 

this is how you check for updates, if you haven't set it to be done automatically:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/account-billing/get-updates-for-apps-and-games-in-microsoft-stor...

 

 

also one thing to note, each Windows 10 major update (1903, 1909, 20H1, 20H2 etc.) has an updated base of all provisioned apps. so for example when you install Windows 10 latest version 20H2 from 2020, you don't get the calculator app that came with Windows 10. 4 years ago. it is fairly up to date (for few months ago) and you will then use Windows store to update it to the most recent version.

 

if you want to verify that, install Windows 10 build 10240 and Windows 10 build 20H2, without updating any of them, check their calculator, Cortana etc. app version, even open them to see the change in features.

@HotCakeX Thanks for your response.

 

In our organisation the Microsoft store is disabled as we maintain control of applications through packaging and deploying through SCCM.

 

Therefore if we disable store, how will the provisioned applications be updated? Only through feature updates?

Yes, that'll be the only time when apps have a chance to be updated, unless, you open other doors, for example make a business Microsoft store and add the apps you want to that store, so instead of allowing users to have full access to all available apps, only let them access the apps you choose.

You can see here which apps are available to be added to a private business store:
https://businessstore.microsoft.com/en-us/store

more info:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-store/sign-up-microsoft-store-for-business

@HotCakeX your replies and time is much appreciated.

 

Thanks

Simon

You're welcome!