Add update-available badge to system tray icon (#47030)

When an update is available (readyToDownload or readyToInstall), the
tray icon switches to a badged variant with an orange dot. Works for
both default mode (color icon.ico) and theme-adaptive mode (light/dark
variants).

Closes: #19222
Closes: #25497

## Changes

### Tray icon update badge
- Add 3 badged icon variants
- Extend get_icon() to select badged variant based on update_available
state
- Add set_tray_icon_update_available() for runtime icon switching
- Hook into UpdateUtils.cpp state transitions via
dispatch_run_on_main_ui_thread
- Check UpdateState at startup to show badge immediately if update
pending
- Add 'Update available' context menu item at top of tray menu when
active

### Fix: update icons not deployed (bug fix)
- Add APPICON_UPDATE icon resource to runner.base.rc (iconUpdate.ico was
missing)
- Add CopyFileToFolders entries for iconUpdate.ico,
PowerToysDarkUpdate.ico, and PowerToysWhiteUpdate.ico in runner.vcxproj
- Add all update icon files to installer Core.wxs so they ship in
releases

### UX improvements
- 'Update available' tray menu item now navigates to General page
(Overview) instead of opening Settings to Dashboard
- Update InfoBar severity changed from Success/Informational to Warning
across GeneralPage, LaunchPage, and CheckUpdateControl
- Dashboard update badge gradient and icon refreshed (orange theme,
exclamation glyph)
- AccentButtonStyle applied to 'Install Now' button
- Fixed casing: 'Update Available' to 'Update available'
- Added UpdateAvailableInfoBar.Title resource string
- Add orange update dot to the General navview item

### Screenshots

Before:
<img width="146" height="78" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c80b8b5f-da94-4cba-92c9-3fcca685653c"
/>

After:

<img width="184" height="104" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/13fc6b34-6e2a-4060-a2f7-f0b6b0d15363"
/>

<img width="150" height="84" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2673239c-8ce3-437b-947a-1d66803a87ec"
/>

<img width="150" height="100" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c321deda-770d-47ff-9600-c395f466d444"
/>

<img width="189" height="104" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2c56d1b7-6615-4d85-80b9-a1cee6413b75"
/>


<img width="473" height="218" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b0fb59ed-f8bd-40a0-aefd-816a71fc231f"
/>

<img width="1048" height="288" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/29d34e01-f6a9-46c3-a56e-2c50a07718a1"
/>

<img width="206" height="155" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/80e9f77e-aae5-429a-b6be-f0e9f296e929"
/>

<img width="434" height="163" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7c9d6cd5-fdaa-4b70-a2c0-cff87f5fcf1c"
/>

<img width="379" height="270" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/03e0f60d-a901-45e7-a03a-18be28ec87ed"
/>


## How to test

Since local dev builds use version `0.0.1` which blocks update checks,
you need to temporarily fake an older version:

1. In `src/Version.props`, change `<Version>0.0.1</Version>` to
`<Version>0.87.0</Version>`
2. Optionally, in `src/runner/UpdateUtils.cpp`, change both interval
constants to `1` (minute) for faster testing:
   ```cpp
   constexpr int64_t UPDATE_CHECK_INTERVAL_MINUTES = 1;
   constexpr int64_t UPDATE_CHECK_AFTER_FAILED_INTERVAL_MINUTES = 1;
   ```
3. Build and run the runner
4. Within ~1 minute (with the interval change) or after clicking 'Check
for updates' in Settings > General, the runner will query GitHub and
find a newer version

### Verify
- [ ] Tray icon changes to the update variant (badged with orange dot)
- [ ] Right-clicking the tray icon shows 'Update available' at the top
of the context menu
- [ ] Clicking 'Update available' opens Settings directly to the General
page
- [ ] Settings General page shows the update InfoBar with Warning
severity
- [ ] Dashboard shows the update badge with orange gradient and
exclamation icon
- [ ] Quick Access flyout shows update InfoBar with Warning severity

**Remember to revert Version.props and UpdateUtils.cpp before
committing!**

---------

Co-authored-by: Copilot <223556219+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>

installer/PowerToysSetupVNext/Core.wxs

@@ -67,8 +67,11 @@
             <RegistryValue Type="string" Name="svgs_icons" Value="" KeyPath="yes" />
           </RegistryKey>
           <File Id="icon.ico" Source="$(var.BinDir)svgs\icon.ico" />
+          <File Id="iconUpdate.ico" Source="$(var.BinDir)svgs\iconUpdate.ico" />
           <File Id="PowerToysWhite.ico" Source="$(var.BinDir)svgs\PowerToysWhite.ico" />
+          <File Id="PowerToysWhiteUpdate.ico" Source="$(var.BinDir)svgs\PowerToysWhiteUpdate.ico" />
           <File Id="PowerToysDark.ico" Source="$(var.BinDir)svgs\PowerToysDark.ico" />
+          <File Id="PowerToysDarkUpdate.ico" Source="$(var.BinDir)svgs\PowerToysDarkUpdate.ico" />
         </Component>
       </Directory>
     </DirectoryRef>

src/runner/Resources.resx

@@ -197,4 +197,7 @@
     <value>Close</value>
     <comment>Close as a verb, as in Close the application</comment>
   </data>
+  <data name="UPDATE_AVAILABLE_MENU_TEXT" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Update available</value>
+  </data>
 </root>

src/runner/UpdateUtils.cpp

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 #include "ActionRunnerUtils.h"
 #include "general_settings.h"
 #include "trace.h"
+#include "tray_icon.h"
 #include "UpdateUtils.h"
 
 #include <common/utils/gpo.h>
@@ -130,6 +131,7 @@ void ProcessNewVersionInfo(const github_version_info& version_info,
         state.releasePageUrl = {};
         state.downloadedInstallerFilename = {};
         Logger::trace(L"Version is up to date");
+        dispatch_run_on_main_ui_thread([](PVOID) { set_tray_icon_update_available(false); }, nullptr);
         return;
     }
     const auto new_version_info = std::get<new_version_download_info>(version_info);
@@ -179,6 +181,7 @@ void ProcessNewVersionInfo(const github_version_info& version_info,
             state.state = UpdateState::readyToInstall;
             state.downloadedInstallerFilename = new_version_info.installer_filename;
             Trace::UpdateDownloadCompleted(true, new_version_info.version.toWstring());
+            dispatch_run_on_main_ui_thread([](PVOID) { set_tray_icon_update_available(true); }, nullptr);
             if (show_notifications)
             {
                 ShowNewVersionAvailable(new_version_info);
@@ -197,6 +200,7 @@ void ProcessNewVersionInfo(const github_version_info& version_info,
         Logger::trace(L"New version is ready to download, showing notification");
         state.state = UpdateState::readyToDownload;
         state.downloadedInstallerFilename = {};
+        dispatch_run_on_main_ui_thread([](PVOID) { set_tray_icon_update_available(true); }, nullptr);
         if (show_notifications)
         {
             ShowOpenSettingsForUpdate();

src/runner/resource.base.h

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 
 #define APPICON 101
 #define ID_TRAY_MENU 102
+#define APPICON_UPDATE 103
 
 #define ID_CLOSE_MENU_COMMAND 40001
 #define ID_SETTINGS_MENU_COMMAND 40002
@@ -21,3 +22,4 @@
 #define ID_REPORT_BUG_COMMAND 40004
 #define ID_DOCUMENTATION_MENU_COMMAND 40005
 #define ID_QUICK_ACCESS_MENU_COMMAND 40006
+#define ID_UPDATE_MENU_COMMAND 40007

src/runner/runner.vcxproj

@@ -111,6 +111,11 @@
       <FileType>Document</FileType>
       <DestinationFolders>$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
     </CopyFileToFolders>
+    <CopyFileToFolders Include="svgs\iconUpdate.ico">
+      <DeploymentContent>true</DeploymentContent>
+      <FileType>Document</FileType>
+      <DestinationFolders>$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+    </CopyFileToFolders>
   </ItemGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
     <ProjectReference Include="..\common\COMUtils\COMUtils.vcxproj">
@@ -152,6 +157,16 @@
       <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
       <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
     </CopyFileToFolders>
+    <CopyFileToFolders Include="svgs\PowerToysDarkUpdate.ico">
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+    </CopyFileToFolders>
     <CopyFileToFolders Include="svgs\PowerToysWhite.ico">
       <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'">true</DeploymentContent>
       <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'">true</DeploymentContent>
@@ -162,6 +177,16 @@
       <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
       <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
     </CopyFileToFolders>
+    <CopyFileToFolders Include="svgs\PowerToysWhiteUpdate.ico">
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DeploymentContent Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">true</DeploymentContent>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|ARM64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|ARM64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Debug|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+      <DestinationFolders Condition="'$(Configuration)|$(Platform)'=='Release|x64'">$(OutDir)\svgs</DestinationFolders>
+    </CopyFileToFolders>
   </ItemGroup>
   <Import Project="$(VCTargetsPath)\Microsoft.Cpp.targets" />
   <Import Project="$(RepoRoot)deps\spdlog.props" />

src/runner/tray_icon.cpp

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
 #include <common/Themes/theme_listener.h>
 #include <common/Themes/theme_helpers.h>
 #include "bug_report.h"
+#include <common/updating/updateState.h>
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -45,6 +46,7 @@ namespace
 
     static ThemeListener theme_listener;
     static bool theme_adaptive_enabled = false;
+    static bool update_available = false;
 }
 
 // Struct to fill with callback and the data. The window_proc is responsible for cleaning it.
@@ -124,6 +126,11 @@ void handle_tray_command(HWND window, const WPARAM command_id, LPARAM lparam)
         open_quick_access_flyout_window();
         break;
     }
+    case ID_UPDATE_MENU_COMMAND:
+    {
+        open_settings_window(std::wstring{ L"Overview" });
+        break;
+    }
     }
 }
 
@@ -260,6 +267,24 @@ LRESULT __stdcall tray_icon_window_proc(HWND window, UINT message, WPARAM wparam
                 {
                     h_sub_menu = GetSubMenu(h_menu, 0);
                 }
+
+                // Dynamically add/remove "Update available" menu item and its separator
+                DeleteMenu(h_sub_menu, ID_UPDATE_MENU_COMMAND, MF_BYCOMMAND);
+                // Remove the separator right after the update item (position 0 after deletion)
+                if (GetMenuItemCount(h_sub_menu) > 0)
+                {
+                    MENUITEMINFOW mii = { .cbSize = sizeof(mii), .fMask = MIIM_FTYPE };
+                    if (GetMenuItemInfoW(h_sub_menu, 0, TRUE, &mii) && (mii.fType & MFT_SEPARATOR))
+                    {
+                        DeleteMenu(h_sub_menu, 0, MF_BYPOSITION);
+                    }
+                }
+                if (update_available)
+                {
+                    InsertMenuW(h_sub_menu, 0, MF_BYPOSITION | MF_STRING, ID_UPDATE_MENU_COMMAND, GET_RESOURCE_STRING(IDS_UPDATE_AVAILABLE_MENU_TEXT).c_str());
+                    InsertMenuW(h_sub_menu, 1, MF_BYPOSITION | MF_SEPARATOR, 0, nullptr);
+                }
+
                 POINT mouse_pointer;
                 GetCursorPos(&mouse_pointer);
                 SetForegroundWindow(window); // Needed for the context menu to disappear.
@@ -318,7 +343,14 @@ LRESULT __stdcall tray_icon_window_proc(HWND window, UINT message, WPARAM wparam
 static HICON get_icon(Theme theme)
 {
     std::wstring icon_path = get_module_folderpath();
-    icon_path += theme == Theme::Dark ? L"\\svgs\\PowerToysWhite.ico" : L"\\svgs\\PowerToysDark.ico";
+    if (theme == Theme::Dark)
+    {
+        icon_path += update_available ? L"\\svgs\\PowerToysWhiteUpdate.ico" : L"\\svgs\\PowerToysWhite.ico";
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        icon_path += update_available ? L"\\svgs\\PowerToysDarkUpdate.ico" : L"\\svgs\\PowerToysDark.ico";
+    }
     Logger::trace(L"get_icon: Loading icon from path: {}", icon_path);
 
     HICON icon = static_cast<HICON>(LoadImage(NULL,
@@ -356,7 +388,14 @@ void start_tray_icon(bool isProcessElevated, bool theme_adaptive)
 {
     theme_adaptive_enabled = theme_adaptive;
     auto h_instance = reinterpret_cast<HINSTANCE>(&__ImageBase);
-    HICON const icon = theme_adaptive ? get_icon(ThemeHelpers::GetSystemTheme()) : LoadIcon(h_instance, MAKEINTRESOURCE(APPICON));
+
+    // Check if an update is available at startup
+    auto state = UpdateState::read();
+    update_available = (state.state == UpdateState::readyToDownload || state.state == UpdateState::readyToInstall);
+
+    HICON const icon = theme_adaptive
+                           ? get_icon(ThemeHelpers::GetSystemTheme())
+                           : LoadIcon(h_instance, MAKEINTRESOURCE(update_available ? APPICON_UPDATE : APPICON));
     if (icon)
     {
         UINT id_tray_icon = 1;
@@ -425,6 +464,29 @@ void set_tray_icon_visible(bool shouldIconBeVisible)
     Shell_NotifyIcon(NIM_MODIFY, &tray_icon_data);
 }
 
+void set_tray_icon_update_available(bool available)
+{
+    if (update_available == available)
+    {
+        return;
+    }
+
+    update_available = available;
+    Logger::info(L"set_tray_icon_update_available: update_available={}", update_available);
+
+    if (theme_adaptive_enabled)
+    {
+        tray_icon_data.hIcon = get_icon(ThemeHelpers::GetSystemTheme());
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        auto h_instance = reinterpret_cast<HINSTANCE>(&__ImageBase);
+        tray_icon_data.hIcon = LoadIcon(h_instance, MAKEINTRESOURCE(available ? APPICON_UPDATE : APPICON));
+    }
+
+    Shell_NotifyIcon(NIM_MODIFY, &tray_icon_data);
+}
+
 void set_tray_icon_theme_adaptive(bool theme_adaptive)
 {
     Logger::info(L"set_tray_icon_theme_adaptive: Called with theme_adaptive={}, current theme_adaptive_enabled={}",
@@ -445,7 +507,7 @@ void set_tray_icon_theme_adaptive(bool theme_adaptive)
     // If not requesting adaptive icon, or if adaptive icon failed to load, use default icon
     if (!icon)
     {
-        icon = LoadIcon(h_instance, MAKEINTRESOURCE(APPICON));
+        icon = LoadIcon(h_instance, MAKEINTRESOURCE(update_available ? APPICON_UPDATE : APPICON));
         if (theme_adaptive && icon)
         {
             // We requested adaptive but had to fall back, so update the flag

src/runner/tray_icon.h

@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ void start_tray_icon(bool isProcessElevated, bool theme_adaptive);
 void set_tray_icon_visible(bool shouldIconBeVisible);
 // Enable or disable theme adaptive tray icon at runtime
 void set_tray_icon_theme_adaptive(bool theme_adaptive);
+// Show or hide the update-available badge on the tray icon
+void set_tray_icon_update_available(bool available);
 // Stop the Tray Icon
 void stop_tray_icon();
 // Open the Settings Window

src/settings-ui/QuickAccess.UI/QuickAccessXAML/Flyout/LaunchPage.xaml

@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@
                 x:Uid="UpdateAvailableInfoBar"
                 IsClosable="False"
                 IsOpen="{x:Bind ViewModel.IsUpdateAvailable, Mode=OneWay}"
-                Severity="Success"
+                Severity="Warning"
                 Tapped="UpdateInfoBar_Tapped" />
 
             <StackPanel

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Controls/Dashboard/CheckUpdateControl.xaml

@@ -24,15 +24,15 @@
                     CornerRadius="10">
                     <Border.Background>
                         <LinearGradientBrush StartPoint="0,0" EndPoint="0.5,1">
-                            <GradientStop Offset="0.0" Color="#239DE0" />
+                            <GradientStop Offset="0.0" Color="#FFC328" />
-                            <GradientStop Offset="1.0" Color="#037CD6" />
+                            <GradientStop Offset="1.0" Color="#FC9A03" />
                         </LinearGradientBrush>
                     </Border.Background>
                     <FontIcon
                         AutomationProperties.AccessibilityView="Raw"
                         FontSize="11"
-                        Foreground="White"
+                        Foreground="Black"
-                        Glyph="&#xE895;" />
+                        Glyph="&#xEDB1;" />
                 </Border>
                 <StackPanel Grid.Column="1" Orientation="Vertical">
                     <TextBlock x:Uid="UpdateAvailableTextBlock" FontWeight="SemiBold" />

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Styles/InfoBadge.xaml

@@ -20,4 +20,21 @@
             </Setter.Value>
         </Setter>
     </Style>
+    <Style x:Key="UpdateInfoBadgeStyle" TargetType="InfoBadge">
+        <Setter Property="Padding" Value="0" />
+        <Setter Property="Width" Value="8" />
+        <Setter Property="Height" Value="8" />
+        <Setter Property="Background" Value="#F09A2A" />
+        <Setter Property="Template">
+            <Setter.Value>
+                <ControlTemplate TargetType="InfoBadge">
+                    <Border
+                        x:Name="RootGrid"
+                        Padding="{TemplateBinding Padding}"
+                        Background="{TemplateBinding Background}"
+                        CornerRadius="{Binding RelativeSource={RelativeSource TemplatedParent}, Path=TemplateSettings.InfoBadgeCornerRadius}" />
+                </ControlTemplate>
+            </Setter.Value>
+        </Setter>
+    </Style>
 </ResourceDictionary>

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/GeneralPage.xaml

@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@
                             IsOpen="{x:Bind ViewModel.PowerToysUpdatingState, Mode=OneWay, Converter={StaticResource UpdateStateToBoolConverter}, ConverterParameter=ReadyToDownload}"
                             IsTabStop="{x:Bind ViewModel.PowerToysUpdatingState, Mode=OneWay, Converter={StaticResource UpdateStateToBoolConverter}, ConverterParameter=ReadyToDownload}"
                             Message="{x:Bind ViewModel.PowerToysNewAvailableVersion, Mode=OneWay}"
-                            Severity="Informational">
+                            Severity="Warning">
 
                             <InfoBar.Content>
                                 <StackPanel Spacing="16">
@@ -150,13 +150,14 @@
                             IsOpen="{x:Bind ViewModel.PowerToysUpdatingState, Mode=OneWay, Converter={StaticResource UpdateStateToBoolConverter}, ConverterParameter=ReadyToInstall}"
                             IsTabStop="{x:Bind ViewModel.PowerToysUpdatingState, Mode=OneWay, Converter={StaticResource UpdateStateToBoolConverter}, ConverterParameter=ReadyToInstall}"
                             Message="{x:Bind ViewModel.PowerToysNewAvailableVersion, Mode=OneWay}"
-                            Severity="Success">
+                            Severity="Warning">
                             <InfoBar.Content>
                                 <Button
                                     x:Uid="General_InstallNow"
                                     Margin="0,0,0,16"
                                     Command="{Binding UpdateNowButtonEventHandler}"
-                                    IsEnabled="{Binding IsDownloadAllowed}" />
+                                    IsEnabled="{Binding IsDownloadAllowed}"
+                                    Style="{StaticResource AccentButtonStyle}" />
                             </InfoBar.Content>
                             <InfoBar.ActionButton>
                                 <HyperlinkButton

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ShellPage.xaml

@@ -168,6 +168,13 @@
                             </AnimatedIcon.FallbackIconSource>
                         </AnimatedIcon>
                     </NavigationViewItem.Icon>
+                    <NavigationViewItem.InfoBadge>
+                        <InfoBadge
+                            x:Name="UpdateInfoBadge"
+                            Margin="0,0,2,0"
+                            Style="{StaticResource UpdateInfoBadgeStyle}"
+                            Visibility="Collapsed" />
+                    </NavigationViewItem.InfoBadge>
                 </NavigationViewItem>
                 <NavigationViewItemSeparator />
 

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/SettingsXAML/Views/ShellPage.xaml.cs

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@
 
 using System;
 using System.Collections.Generic;
+using System.IO.Abstractions;
 using System.Linq;
 using System.Threading;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
@@ -13,6 +14,7 @@ using ManagedCommon;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Controls;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Helpers;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library;
+using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Library.Utilities;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Services;
 using Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.ViewModels;
 using Microsoft.UI.Windowing;
@@ -100,6 +102,7 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
         private CancellationTokenSource _searchDebounceCts;
         private const int SearchDebounceMs = 500;
         private bool _disposed;
+        private IFileSystemWatcher _updateStateWatcher;
 
         // Removed trace id counter per cleanup
 
@@ -137,6 +140,12 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
                     _searchSuggestions.Add(child.Content?.ToString());
                 }
             }
+
+            UpdateGeneralInfoBadge();
+            _updateStateWatcher = Helper.GetFileWatcher(string.Empty, UpdatingSettings.SettingsFile, () =>
+            {
+                DispatcherQueue.TryEnqueue(UpdateGeneralInfoBadge);
+            });
         }
 
         public static int SendDefaultIPCMessage(string msg)
@@ -629,11 +638,28 @@ namespace Microsoft.PowerToys.Settings.UI.Views
                 return;
             }
 
+            _updateStateWatcher?.Dispose();
             _searchDebounceCts?.Cancel();
             _searchDebounceCts?.Dispose();
             _searchDebounceCts = null;
             _disposed = true;
             GC.SuppressFinalize(this);
         }
+
+        private void UpdateGeneralInfoBadge()
+        {
+            try
+            {
+                var config = UpdatingSettings.LoadSettings();
+                bool updateAvailable = config != null &&
+                    (config.State == UpdatingSettings.UpdatingState.ReadyToDownload ||
+                     config.State == UpdatingSettings.UpdatingState.ReadyToInstall);
+                UpdateInfoBadge.Visibility = updateAvailable ? Visibility.Visible : Visibility.Collapsed;
+            }
+            catch (Exception)
+            {
+                UpdateInfoBadge.Visibility = Visibility.Collapsed;
+            }
+        }
     }
 }

src/settings-ui/Settings.UI/Strings/en-us/Resources.resw

@@ -5061,9 +5061,12 @@ The break timer font matches the text font.</value>
     <value>You're up to date</value>
   </data>
   <data name="UpdateAvailableTextBlock.Text" xml:space="preserve">
-    <value>Update Available</value>
+    <value>Update available</value>
   </data>
-  <data name="GeneralVersion.Text" xml:space="preserve">
+  <data name="UpdateAvailableInfoBar.Title" xml:space="preserve">
+    <value>Update available</value>
+  </data>
+	<data name="GeneralVersion.Text" xml:space="preserve">
     <value>Version</value>
   </data>
   <data name="LearnWhatsNew.Text" xml:space="preserve">