Microsoft aims to improve the software update process for mobile devices running Windows 10, and is willing to bypass carriers if that's what it takes.

This may sound more like a deja-vu rather than a new promise, as Microsoft already pledged to take such action nearly five years ago, when it introduced its Windows Phone platform. While that sounded great in theory, however, in practice things were not quite like that.

Even a good while after Microsoft released major updates to its Windows Phone 8 and Windows Phone 8.1, carriers dragged their feet and delivered updates with notable delays, or not at all. AT&T's Lumia 830, for instance, has still not received the Lumia Denim update, although the software has been available for several months now, and it's not the only one in this position.

That's all about to change with the upcoming Windows 10 Mobile, however, as Microsoft is determined not to let carriers hinder the update process when it comes to delivering updates in a timely manner.

The company made the announcement in a new post on the Microsoft Ignite blog, detailing Windows update for Business.

"Here at Microsoft, we take our responsibility to keep Windows secure seriously. We follow up on all reported security issues, continuously probe our software with leading edge techniques, and proactively update supported devices with necessary updates to address issues. And today, we're announcing this continuous update process applies to all Windows 10 devices, including phones," touts the announcement.

"This level of commitment and support is far different than Android, for example, where Google refuses to take responsibility for updating their customers' devices, leaving end-users and business increasingly exposed every day they use the device."

Although this comment was made while introducing Windows Update for Business, Microsoft confirmed to ZDNet that the same applies to all Windows 10 Mobile devices, regardless of whether they're personal or for business. The company further explained that the new update process for mobile devices will be along the same lines as the one for Windows 10 on PCs, delivering updates with security and reliability fixes, and also with new features.

With mobile devices running Windows 10 Mobile, Microsoft will be the one to determine when updates roll out, and the phones will get all updates. This means that the company will bypass carriers if it has to, in order to ensure that devices get the necessary updates in a timely manner.

Microsoft will not completely ignore carriers, as it will still consult them for testing purposes and for their input to determine when to release updates, but it will be the one to make the final call. If new updates will roll out at the same time for all Windows 10 Mobile devices on all carriers, it should significantly cut down on fragmentation.