Microsoft Update
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Microsoft Update is a website where users can download updates for Windows, Office, SQL Server and other products. Those updates are primarily security-related fixes, although occasionally they contain solutions for bugs or new features as well.
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Overview
Microsoft Update is version 6 of the Windows Update system, but the difference with Microsoft Update is that Microsoft can use it to deliver updates to all Microsoft products that are integrated with it.
Microsoft Update was released to the public as a beta in March 2005. The stable version was released on the date of the release of beta 1 of Windows Vista.
Since 2006, Microsoft is also adding the distribution of Windows Defender anti-spyware definition updates to Microsoft Update.
Windows Update
Windows Update is a web-based software update service for Microsoft Windows operating systems. It offers a location for downloading critical system component updates, service packs, security fixes, patches and free upgrades to selected Windows components. Additionally, it automatically detects the user's hardware and provides driver updates when available, and can offer beta versions of some Microsoft programs.
Windows Update Overview
Most new updates and patches go "live" on the Windows Update website very soon after they are released. Alternatively, fixes and updates can always be downloaded manually from the Microsoft website. Corporate networks and servers running Microsoft Windows on a large scale might find it more practical to use Windows Server Update Services instead, as it automates the process of retrieving patches from Windows Update, and distributing them to client machines.
The Windows Update website requires Internet Explorer or an Internet Explorer shell replacement, as it requires the use of an ActiveX control. Also, it is coded using the Microsoft scripting languages VBScript and JScript. It is compatible with Netscape 8.0, which uses the Internet Explorer rendering engine for that particular website. It is also compatible with ActiveX plug-ins and extensions for other Windows webbrowsers such as Mozilla Firefox and Opera.
In 2005, Microsoft introduced an optional Microsoft Update that
delivers updates for supported operating systems, plus Microsoft
Office (Office XP and Office 2003 all-user installations only),
Exchange and SQL Server. This responded to a common criticism among
many customers that it was too difficult to get all the necessary
updates from the various Microsoft product websites.
History
The Windows Update site was first introduced with the launch of Windows 98. Since then the site has gone through several revisions.
In 2002, Microsoft released Software Update Services, a server component that could be installed on Windows 2000 Server systems to enable downloading and distribution of security patches for an entire company through a central server. Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 included BITS to facilitate a new client-side component first seen in Windows XP called Automatic Updates, making it possible to download and install security updates in the background.
In late 2004, Microsoft released Windows Update 5 for Windows XP, which includes Service Pack 2 and several major changes to the update application. Users without broadband access can order a CD of XP Service Pack 2 from the Microsoft website; while the CD used to be completely free of charge, there now is a small charge for shipping (the packaging encourages sharing the CD with other users of Windows XP). After installing SP2, one should then go to the Microsoft website to check for newer updates—dozens have been released since SP2.
In July 2005, Microsoft introduced Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
for users updating any version of Windows XP, Windows Server 2003,
and Windows 2000. Treated as an update, the software analyzes the
user's computer and determines if their copy of Windows XP is genuine.
If the software determines that the copy is pirated, it offers the
user a chance to reveal where they bought their copy in exchange
for a free or reduced price legitimate copy of Windows XP. Microsoft
officially says that Automatic Update will not require WGA validation.
Windows Vista
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software currently in development. The content may change dramatically as the software development progresses. |
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In Vista, the next version of the Windows operating system, Windows Update will not be a web application. Instead, all the functionality of the Windows Update web site has been incorporated into a new Control Panel. Additionally, Windows Update will take responsibility for delivering definitions updates to Vista's Windows Defender anti-spyware product, as well as Junk Mail filter updates for Windows Mail. Windows Update will also offer additional software to users of the "Ultimate" edition of Windows Vista.
The move away from the web-based paradigm for Windows Updates should alleviate the concerns that many critics had regarding the ability of a web browser to perform trusted update operations on a Windows computer.
Windows Genuine Advantage program
The Windows Genuine Advantage program, released on July 28, 2005, is used by Microsoft to enforce its licence agreement when users seek to update their copies of Microsoft software. It authenticates Windows before allowing any non-critical security updates to be obtained.
Originally it was believed that it would not prevent users of unchecked systems from receiving critical and security updates through the Windows Update service, because Microsoft deemed the security and reputation risk from unpatched systems greater than the loss of income from pirated copies. However this has not been the case. WGA uses either a stand alone program to generate a key, or an ActiveX control, to discover if the license key is valid.
Most recently some users have ceased to use Windows Update at all, moving to alternate programs that allow the use of alternative web browsers, such as WindizUpdate or by using AutoPatcher which does not require the use of a browser.
However, the overwhelming majority of Windows XP users have the default settings of Automatic Updates turned on. This means that most Windows XP users are running the latest version of Internet Explorer and have the latest patches installed on their operating system.
On May 5, 2006, InformationWeek reported that "Microsoft is piloting an opt-in notification service for its Windows Genuine Advantage online verification program in the U.S., which may make it mandatory for users to get Automatic Update or Windows Update Rights," in its article titled, "Microsoft: Users May Have To Prove Legal Windows Use." Microsoft's KB905474 WGA Notification update was presented to users in April, 2006. It nags users to get legitimate if their Windows is detected as not being genuine. This notification module is installed automatically along with other Automatic Updates if the setting to always install updates is chosen- the opt-in process is no more or less extensive than that for other automatic updates. Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
Third-party alternatives
In January 2005, a third-party alternative to Windows Update, WindizUpdate, was made available. This service supports Mozilla and Opera based browsers, allowing users to receive a similar service without the need for Internet Explorer. The legality of this service, however, is questionable, as it bypasses the Windows Genuine Advantage check.
Since at least 2003, a third-party alternative to Windows Update, AutoPatcher, has been available. Windows Secrets Newsletter also recommends HFNetChkPro from Shavlik Technologies (top honors from Redmond Magazine and SC Magazine) and GFI LANguard Network Security Scanner. [citation needed]
External links
- Microsoft Update website
- Windows Update 6
- Windows Update Server Services
- Security Patch - A list of all MS patches from 2003 onward
- WSUS Wiki
- Getting to Windows Update anonymously
- Windows XP Update Advisor
- Windiz Update
- Software Patch
- Autopatcher - A collection of patches, addons and registry tweaks for 2000, XP, and 2003
Original article / information obtained (seeded) from Wikipedia [3]