How to check for app updates on Windows 11

• To update Windows 11 apps, open Microsoft Store > Library.
• Click the Get updates button to download and update all your apps. 
• To update non-Store apps, find the manual update option in the “About,” “Check for Updates,” or “Software Update” page.

On Windows 11, it’s essential to update apps, not just because of the new features and improvements but also because they usually fix bugs and security holes that malicious individuals can exploit.

Although some apps can install updates automatically, many of them, you must update manually. If you are on Windows 11, you also have two types of apps, including those from the Microsoft Store and apps outside of the Store that you typically download from the software vendor website, and they have different update mechanisms.

This guide will teach you the different ways to keep your apps updated on Windows 11.

• How to update apps on Windows 11
• How to update non-Store apps on Windows 11

How to update apps on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can update apps in two ways. You can update apps manually or automatically through the Microsoft Store.

Apps manual update

To update apps manually on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Store.

2. Click on Library from the bottom-left navigation pane.

3. Click the Get updates button to update your apps on Windows 11.

   

Once you complete the steps, updates will be downloaded and installed for your apps.

Although the Microsoft Store comes with updates turned on by default, apps don’t update immediately after a new release is available. For this and other reasons, you may need to check for updates manually.

Apps automatic update

To check and enable automatic updates for apps on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Store.

2. Click the profile menu button and select the App settings option.

   

3. Turn on the App updates toggle switch to enable automatic updates for apps on Windows 11.

   

After completing the steps, Windows 11 apps will be updated automatically. However, updates may take some time to apply after a new release becomes available.

How to update non-Store apps on Windows 11

Since Microsoft made changes to the Store policies to make it more appealing to software developers, more and more apps are pouring into the platform. However, not all the apps are available through the Microsoft Store. As a result, they have different update mechanisms. On some apps, you can check for updates through their settings page, and for others, you have to download the package manually from the app support page and then apply the update.

To update traditional apps (outside the Microsoft Store), use these steps:

1. Open the app.

2. Open the Help menu.

3. Select the About, Check for Updates, Software Update, or similar option (as applicable).

   

4. Continue with the on-screen directions to complete the update.

Once you complete the steps, the update will apply to the application.

You can also update apps with the Windows Package Manager (winget) command-line tool. However, you can only update apps you originally installed using the winget command, which means that apps you installed from different sources won’t be updatable through this tool. Also, if you, later on, update the app using the other update technology, you will lose the ability to update the app through the Windows Package Manager.

In addition to updating apps, Windows 11 also require updating at least once a month, but these updates are different, and you can get them through the Windows Update settings page.