Windows Updaters: Where Is the Unified API?

In the last couple of years nearly every program comes with its own updating software. Don’t believe me? Try Apple Software Update, Adobe Updater, Google Updater, Mcafee AutoUpdate, and the list goes on. All of these pieces of software have their individualized settings and behaviors with no unified interface which leads to confusion and missed updates–some of which are critical for security.

Several attempts have been made to consolidate this process with the ultimate goal of simplicity for the end-user. Examples include CNet’s defunct CatchUp, VersionTracker, Secunia PSI, and FileHippo.com Update Checker. The one underlying theme is none of these systems catch everything on their own and most of them fail to detect some software altogether.

I wonder why Microsoft hasn’t addressed this issue especially since they’ve claimed pursuing a security-centric approach with the Windows platform. Microsoft should provide a framework for a System Update Center for third party applications and encourage its usage through its development tools. A robust API will give software developers the ability to tailor the system for their applications while allowing end-users to be free of the particulars. How great would it be just to push a button and have all the needed updates install in the background without any further intervention? Gone will be the days of multiple updaters runnings in the background chewing up resources.

April 27, 2008 | Filed Under Tech/Gadgets 

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