- Microsoft is changing the way Windows 11 updates are delivered
- Any .NET, driver or firmware updates will be included along with the monthly update.
- This change is now in testing, along with a lot of work to improve Windows 11’s default apps.
Windows 11 is getting more useful changes, including an improved update process and a number of tweaks to the operating system’s default apps.
Microsoft just released a new preview in the Experimental channel (build 26300.8687) that includes the changes for Windows Update (which was announced as coming a while back in April).
Microsoft tells us: “We’re rolling out a new unified update experience to reduce the number of reboots seen per month. We’re starting by coordinating driver, .NET, and firmware updates to align with the monthly quality update, reducing the update experience to a single monthly reboot.”
Separately, Thurrott.com notes that Microsoft has a lot of work underway for the various core Windows 11 apps and that the company is now documenting these changes in separate release notes for the apps in its Learn portal.
The calculator is being modified to have readable text when using high-contrast themes and more accurate square root results (with rare errors fixed).
The Windows 11 Camera app now supports more video resolution options and a full range of zoom levels (plus, the zoom slider now works with more cameras, including newer models). Microsoft has also made sure that the front cameras on more devices are supported.
The Clock has the ability to run more countdowns (up to three simultaneously) and a new 15-minute snooze, among a host of minor changes.
Microsoft Paint now offers functionality to adjust eraser transparency, and the AI Images panel has been tidied up with a cleaner layout. The toolbar also loads faster and a number of stability adjustments have been applied to reduce the chance of crashes.
The Photos app also has some useful changes, so it will now display very small images (like pixel art) at an appropriate level of zoom so they look sharp rather than blurry, as well as adjustments to the interface and again stability (resolving a crash that occurred during text recognition).
With improvements to Media Player (custom subtitles, bug fixes, and better overall reliability) and Sound Recorder, Microsoft clearly has its hands full with these default apps.
Analysis: a better way to work with updates
Keep in mind that all of these changes are being tested right now, but it shouldn’t take long for the various tweaks and new features for Windows 11’s core apps to roll out.
The move to consolidate the rollout of Windows 11 updates will take longer as it is currently only in the experimental channel (early testing) and is being gradually rolled out there. It’s great to see this incoming, though, because it will be a huge convenience for the average Windows 11 user.
Instead of having to worry about separate updates for firmware, .NET framework, or device drivers, Windows Update will bundle them all together with the monthly cumulative update that Microsoft releases. The result is that you’ll only have to reboot once to apply all those updates, and although installation will take longer, it’s definitely worth it to simplify the way updates work this way.
This is one of many improvements Microsoft has in the works for Windows 11 updates, and the key piece of functionality already in the works is the ability to delay a monthly update indefinitely. Failures to install updates have also long been a stain on Microsoft’s reputation, and steps are being taken to cure this sadness.
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