Image forming apparatus including a device that updates stored program based on updating data which is selected based on program that is started or startable

An image forming apparatus comprising:

• a hardware resource including at least one of a printer and a scanner;
• a processor;
• an operating system;
• a storage unit configured to store a plurality of application software programs executable on the operating system by the processor,
• wherein each of the plurality of application software programs is configured to perform an image forming process using the hardware resource and is stored in the storage unit in a manner such that each of the plurality of application software programs is updatable as part of a group of application software programs;
• an activation unit configured to activate each of the plurality of application software programs stored in the storage unit;
• and
• an updating unit implemented by the processor and configured to update an application software program designated for updating, amongst the plurality of application software programs stored in the storage unit, based on updating data that instructs updating of the application software program designated for updating, in response to receiving the updating data,
• wherein the updating unit is further configured to update the application software program designated for updating based on the updating data when the application software program designated for updating is not activated by the activation unit.