BC Tip #22 - Changes to the Business Central Admin Center: Updating and Installing Extensions
- Ben Cole
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Just when it feels like you know exactly where everything lives in Business Central, Microsoft moves it around.
A recent change to the Business Central Admin Center has made the App Updates page look a little different, particularly when it comes to finding available app updates.
The good news is that the update functionality is still there. It is simply displayed differently now.
If you manage Business Central environments, this is one of those small navigation changes that can cause a surprising amount of confusion the first time you encounter it.
Shoutout to my friend Brad Prendergast for the assist on this one. If you want to test your BC Skills, check out his Business Central Trivia Challenge!
Key Takeaways
The Business Central Apps page now defaults to a combined All Apps view.
This includes Global Apps, PTEs, and Dev apps in one list.
Click the Drop Down and select Global Apps to find the "old view"
Sort by Available Update Action to locate and install available updates quickly.
Table of Contents
Start in the Business Central Admin Center
The first steps have not changed.
In Business Central, select the Settings gear.
Choose Admin Center.
Select the environment you need to manage.
Open Apps.
You will need sufficient permissions to access the Admin Center and manage applications within the selected environment.
What Changed on the Apps Page?
Previously, the Apps page included a column that made it easy to see whether an app was current or whether an update was available to install.
Now, when first opening the page, it may look as though the only available action is Uninstall. That can make it seem like the app update option has disappeared.
It has not disappeared. The key difference is the default app filter.
The Default View Now Shows All App Types
The Apps page now defaults to All Apps. This view brings together several categories of apps:
Global Apps (Downloadable from Microsoft Marketplace)
PTEs, or per-tenant extensions
Dev apps (Sandbox Only)
This is actually a helpful improvement because it gives you a broader view of the applications in the environment. But if you were accustomed to the former Global Apps-focused display, the change can be a little alarming at first.
That initial All Apps view is why the familiar update information may not be immediately obvious.
Switch to Global Apps to Find Available Updates
To get back to a view that feels more like the previous experience, use the drop-down filter on the Apps page.
Select the App Type Drop-Down.
Choose Global.
Review the Global Apps list.
Once the list is filtered to Global Apps, the update options should be much easier to find.
For additional official administration guidance, Microsoft maintains documentation for administering Business Central environments in the administration center.
Sort by Available Update Action
The quickest way to identify apps that need attention is to sort the list by Available Update Action.
This puts apps with available updates at the top of the list, instead of manually scanning through the full list. Once sorted, look for the apps that provide an Install Update action.
This is especially useful when an environment contains multiple extensions and you need to confirm which Global Apps have updates ready to install.
Install a Business Central App Update
Once you find the app you want to update, the installation process is straightforward:
Select Install Update for the app.
Review the confirmation prompt.
To install the update immediately, leave the scheduling box unchecked.
Select Yes to confirm the update.
After confirming the action, sort by Available Update Action again. The app should show that the update is scheduled.
Within a few minutes, the application should return to an up-to-date status.
A Small Navigation Change Worth Knowing
The Admin Center change is not really about lost functionality. It is about a new default view and a different path to the information that administrators were used to seeing immediately (the "old way")
When an app update seems to be missing, remember this simple path:
Open the target environment in the Business Central Admin Center.
Go to Apps.
Change the filter from All Apps to Global.
Sort by Available Update Action.
Select Install Update for the applicable app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I update apps in Business Central?
Open the Business Central Admin Center, select the environment, and then choose Apps. Filter to Global Apps and sort by Available Update Action to locate available updates.
Why do I only see an Uninstall option on the Apps page?
The Apps page now opens in the All Apps view, which combines Global Apps, PTEs, and Dev apps. Switch the filter to Global Apps to find the familiar update options.
What does the All Apps filter include in the Business Central Admin Center?
The All Apps filter includes Global Apps, per-tenant extensions, and development apps.
How can I find apps that have an update available?
Filter the Apps page to Global Apps, then sort the list by Available Update Action. Apps with updates ready to install will appear with an Install Update action.
How do I install an app update immediately?
Select Install Update, leave the scheduling box unchecked, and confirm by selecting Yes. The update will then be scheduled and should complete within a few minutes.
Ready to optimize your Business Central environment with guidance from a BC expert?
Contact Ben Cole at Ben@BenColeBC.com or (214) 433-0923.
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Ben Cole is passionate about making Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central work smarter for real people—users and partners alike. With roots in public accounting, Ben’s seen firsthand how automation and clever solutions can transform the Business Central experience. He’s known for breaking down complex topics with a dash of wit and plenty of practical advice. If you want to get more out of Business Central (and maybe even enjoy the process), Ben’s your go-to guide.
(214) 433-0923
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