Application Updates
OEMs and enterprise customers can deliver app updates to Windows IoT Enterprise devices in the following ways:
- Using Microsoft Store: The app is published and updated from the Microsoft Store
- Using Azure IoT Device Management: The app is published to Azure Storage and updated through the Azure DM channel New for Windows 10, version 1709
- Using OMA-DM: The app is updated using an OMA-DM compliant device management channel such as Intune.
Note
The first version of the app is always pre-packaged in the device during image time. The ApplicationManagement/AllowAllTrustedApps setting should be set for enabling installation of trusted apps.
Using the Microsoft Store
The Microsoft Store provides unique and secure means to update the IoT Enterprise apps, independent of the OS/OEM Component updates.
This option is interesting for OEMs who have:
- High update frequency: App update frequency higher than the driver updates and App updates are independent of drivers.
- Third-party ISV developers: Third-party ISV developed app, managed with a different release schedule.
In this option, the apps that are pre-packaged need to be Microsoft Store compliant apps (store signed).
Managing Store app updates
The following settings on the device side control the updates from Windows Store.
- ApplicationManagement/AllowStore: Enable/disable store.
- ApplicationManagement/AllowAppStoreAutoUpdate: Enable auto update of all store apps.
Self-updates
The Apps can be designed to control the updates by itself (either automatically or with user interaction with the appx). Windows makes available APIs that give a developer the ability to query available updates, download available updates, and install available updates.
See Download and install package updates for your app for more information on building this capability. In this case, the AllowAppStoreAutoUpdate should be disabled.
Using Azure IoT Device Management
Azure IoT Device Management (AzureDM) is a highly scalable management solution available on Windows IoT Enterprise. See Application Management for the details of installing and updating applications via AzureDM.
Using OMA-DM
The OMA-DM interface is supported in Windows IoT Enterprise and any OMA-DM compliant management solution can be used to install and update applications. Read the documentation for EnterpriseModernAppManagement CSP for usage instructions.
Comparisons of various options
| Item | Using Microsoft Store | Using AzureDM | Using OMA-DM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appx Signing | Store Signed | Store signed or OEM Signed | Store signed or OEM Signed |
| Distribution/Visibility | Store private (not available in store catalog) | Private | Private |
| Infrastructure | Microsoft Store | Azure IoT / Storage | OEM Infrastructure |