Most of the apps available on the Microsoft Store in Windows 10/11 are frequently updated with new features, enhancements, and bug fixes.
With default settings, apps installed from the Store and inbox apps are automatically updated when updates are available.
The apps installed from Microsoft Store are automatically updated in the background, and this does not require any user intervention. However, Windows 10/11 might not immediately install app updates. That is, Windows 10/11 might wait for a few days before installing an app update.
If you know that an update has been released for an app, you can manually update it or manually update all installed apps from the Store. The Microsoft Store offers an option to update installed apps manually. Here is how to use it.
NOTE: This method updates apps installed from Microsoft Store and inbox apps available in the Microsoft Store. Apps installed from any other source (web) cannot be updated this way.
Update installed apps in Windows 11
Step 1: Use the search or any other method to open the Microsoft Store app.
Step 2: Once the Store app is launched, click on the Library icon present in the left pane (refer to the picture below).
Step 3: The Library page shows a list of available updates for apps as well as a list of recently updated apps.
The Updates and downloads section shows the apps for which updates are currently available. To update the app, click on the Update button next to it.
If updates are available for multiple apps and you want to update all apps, please click on the Update all button to update all apps. That’s it!
Update apps by reinstalling them in Windows 10/11
Another odd way to update an app is to uninstall it and then install it again from the Microsoft Store. This is because the Store offers the latest version of the app. So, the newest version of the app is automatically installed.
The downside of this method is that you might lose the data saved in the app and need to sign in to the app (if required) again after reinstallation.
Step 1: On Windows 10, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features page. On Windows 11, navigate to Settings > Apps > Installed apps page.
Step 2: Look for the app’s entry you want to update. On Windows 10, click on the app’s entry and then click the Uninstall button.
On Windows 11, click the three dots next to the app’s entry and then click the Uninstall option.
Step 3: When you see the confirmation dialog, click the Uninstall button to uninstall and remove the app.
Step 4: Open the Microsoft Store app, search for the app you just removed, click on its entry to open the dedicated page, and click the Install button to download and install it. So, you now have the latest version of the app.
Update non-Microsoft Store apps in Windows 10/11
You have a few choices if you installed programs from the web by manually downloading the installer and then running the installer file. Most of the popular programs come with a built-in function to automatically download and install updates.
Some programs show a prompt asking you to install available updates. Alternatively, you can use third-party software updaters like IObit Software Updater and Patch My PC Home Updater (free).
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