Windows Update
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Image:WindowsUpdatev6.png
Image:Windows Update icon.png 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.
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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.
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 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; there is no charge even for shipping, and 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—several 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. However contrary to rumor, WGA will not download critical patches to illicit software sites.
Future
Template:Future software Image:Vista-windows-update.png 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. It is likely, though unconfirmed, that Windows Update will also provide automatic updates for other Microsoft products such as Microsoft Office.
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.
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Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" program
Template:Main 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 Automatic 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 licence key is valid.
The WGA system has been cracked several times, at first with a JavaScript line (within 24 hours of its release on 28 July 2005), and later with software. 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 or Bigfix which do not require the use of a browser.
However, the overwhelming majority of Windows XP users have the default settings of Windows Update 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.
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.
External links
- Windows Update 6
- Windows Update Server Services
- WSUS Wiki
- Getting to Windows Update anonymously
- Windows XP Update Advisor
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