Microsoft Improves .NET Framework Updates on Windows 11 22H2

Microsoft announced today that it will finally make updating the .NET Framework less painful, albeit it only on Windows 11 version 22H2.

“We are excited to announce two new features that will greatly improve the .NET Framework update experience for customers on Windows 11, version 22H2,” Microsoft’s Brett Lopez announced. “Your device will experience fewer reboots, and you will have more control over optional .NET Framework updates.

The key to this improvement is a technology called the Unified Update Platform (UUP), which Microsoft uses to update Windows 10 and Windows 11. UUP is “a single publishing, hosting, scan and download model for all types of OS updates … for everything from monthly quality updates to new feature updates,” Microsoft explains. And the key to these improvements is that .NET Framework updates have been integrated into UUP … but only in Windows 11 version 22H2.

Anyone who has installed .NET Framework updates via Windows Update probably knows why this is a big deal. To date—and by “to date,” I mean “for over 20 years”—.NET Framework updates were not automatically installed along with feature updates, took an interminable amount of time, and always required a reboot. But with this UUP integration, the updates will be automatic, will happen in the background, and won’t require a separate reboot.

Tied to this, Microsoft is also putting preview versions of .NET Framework updates in Optional updates in Windows Update so you can opt-in to installing them a month ahead of time.