Microsoft Store expands to update all Win32 apps, but users remain skeptical

In a nutshell: Despite a lack of user interest, Microsoft is still trying to transform the Windows App Store into a “universal” platform for accessing all types of Windows applications. The company is now introducing an option to update third-party programs through the Store, where publishers will be able to manage the update process themselves.

Microsoft recently released the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27758 to Canary Channel subscribers. The most interesting change brought by the update is Microsoft Store’s support for Win32 applications, which can now be managed and updated without leaving the Store’s interface.

The Win32 API, which is now formally known as the Windows API, is the original standard for developing and running 32-bit applications on Windows since the Windows 95 era. Microsoft has released several updates to Win32 over the years, introducing support for 64-bit programs through the Win64 architecture.

While Win32 applications have been supported by the Microsoft Store for some time, this new Preview Build introduces a key improvement: Win32 programs that are “provided and updated” by third-party publishers can now be updated directly through the Store.

Previously, and like most legacy Windows software, applications could only be updated outside the Microsoft Store. Now, Insider subscribers can access the new update option by navigating to the “Downloads” page and clicking “Get Updates.”

If an update is available, it will appear on the pending list. However, the update process will only begin after users manually click the “Update” button, meaning updates for these applications will not start automatically.

This centralized update feature is available exclusively for applications downloaded or purchased through the Microsoft Store. Traditional Win32 software, however, remains unaffected, allowing users to continue downloading programs from third-party websites or installing them from external storage devices as before.

This change allows software developers to distribute their Win32 applications through the Microsoft Store and manage updates, offering users more flexibility if they prefer this option. Historically, the Microsoft Store has been plagued by bugs, scammy software, and sluggish performance, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be improved.

Luckily for Store deniers, Windows continues to provide exceptional backward compatibility with 32-bit programs dating back to the Windows 9x era. In addition to the Store’s new update capabilities, the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27758 includes numerous fixes for bugs affecting File Explorer, the Taskbar, Task Manager, and other Windows components. However, the widespread compatibility issues reported with Windows 11 24H2 remain unresolved.

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