Updating Windows and Microsoft Update

The Windows Update and Automatic Update client code will be updated starting in Aug. 2009. These clients work with the Windows Update and Microsoft Update services that distribute patches and updates to Windows and other Microsoft products, such as Office. Although Microsoft keeps updates to these services to a minimum—the last update was a year ago—they can create problems. In particular, because the updates are released by Windows Update, Vista customers who select “never check for updates” (and Windows XP customers who select “turn off Automatic Updates”) will not receive this update.

Popular Free Service

Many consumers and small businesses rely on the free Windows Update and Microsoft Update online services to get patches and security fixes for Microsoft software rather than using the more complex Windows Server Update Services or System Center Configuration Manager products, which require deployment of a special server infrastructure. Windows Update provides high-priority and optional updates for all supported versions of Windows,