Microsoft Update

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The Microsoft Update Service is an online service with an attached web application . It serves as a central access point for software updates ( English updates ) of common Microsoft -Produktpalette as Windows , Office , SQL Server and other applications. The important updates primarily contain security-critical improvements ( patches ) or installations with priority in terms of time, although they sometimes also provide solutions for program errors ( bugs ) or extended functionality (so-called upgrades ). The two last-mentioned tasks are nevertheless focal points of the optional updates.

These updates can either Windows (Germanized earlier) automatically using the " Automatic Updates " and later " Windows Update called" service or could manually via the Internet Explorer , from the side update Microsoft downloaded and installed (see below, in the section Web Links ). In addition, there are interfaces available to implement alternative methods of updating.

All variants mentioned use the Windows Update Agent and can be combined.

overview

Microsoft Update currently stands for version 6 of the Windows update system. In contrast to the conventional Windows Update, which provides software updates for different operating systems, this website expands the offer to a whole range of popular Microsoft products. Anything that goes beyond standard software or has an older release date must, as usual, be obtained from individual websites, such as "Microsoft Download Center", "Windows Update Catalog" or "Microsoft Office Online".

Microsoft Update first appeared as a beta (test version) in March 2005. Another version followed at the end of July 2005, simultaneously with Beta 1 of Windows Vista . The underlying idea was to provide updates for standard software (e.g. Windows and Microsoft Office) in a central location so that customers no longer have to download them from various Microsoft product websites. Since 2006, Microsoft has also added the distribution of anti-spyware definition updates for Windows Defender to Microsoft Update.

Windows Update

Windows Update is a Web-based software - Update Service for Windows - operating systems . The service offers downloadable updates for system components , service packs , patches and free upgrades for selected Windows components . The automatic detection routine detects the client's hardware and provides device driver updates, if available. Optionally, beta - versions of some Microsoft - programs offered.

Windows update overview

Most new patches will be made available for download on the Windows Update page shortly after they are released. Alternatively, updates can be downloaded manually from the Microsoft website. Companies that make extensive use of Microsoft Windows network and server technology are conveniently using Windows Server Update Services . This program greatly simplifies the process of obtaining patches and distributing them to individual client devices.

The Windows Update Web site requires Internet Explorer or Internet Explorer Shell -Ersatz, including ActiveX - control element . The program uses the scripting languages Visual Basic Script and JavaScript . It is (or was) compatible with Netscape Navigator 8.0 , the special for this site, Internet Explorer rendering - Engine used (e). Firefox and other browsers can not use the Windows update page directly, but only with the help of the extension called IE Tab , which displays Internet Explorer in an associated (e.g. Firefox ) tab .

The Windows Update Catalog, on the other hand, can no longer only be used with Internet Explorer, but with any browser since autumn 2016.

history

The Windows Update website started at the same time as Windows 98 . Since then it has gone through a number of changes.

At the end of 2004 Microsoft presented version 5 of Windows updates for Windows XP . It contained Service Pack 2 (SP2) and several major changes to the update program. Users without broadband internet access could order a CD of XP Service Pack 2 from Microsoft's website. While this CD was free at the time, Microsoft later charged small fees for shipping. After the installation of SP2 has been completed, it is advisable, especially for Internet users, to download the latest security updates from the Windows Update website.

Since July 2005 ( Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 ) Microsoft has used the Windows Genuine Advantage Program (WGA) to enforce the license agreement (EULA) at the time of update. It checks whether Windows is being operated with a valid license. If this is not the case, non-critical security updates can no longer be obtained.

Development since Windows Vista

As of Vista , the entire functionality of the Windows Update website has been integrated into a new control panel. In addition, Windows Update is a prerequisite for receiving definition updates for Vista's anti-spyware product Windows Defender , as well as updates to the Windows Mail spam mail filter . Windows Update also offers additional software for users of the Ultimate Edition of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

If the users keep the standard Windows Update settings, they have activated the automatic update, run the current version of Internet Explorer and have installed the latest patches for their operating system.

New update model for Windows 7 and newer

With Windows 10, Microsoft has redesigned the update functionality in such a way that the user can no longer select or reject every individual update for installation. Instead, he can only determine the installation time. In addition, Microsoft no longer publishes the individual updates for Windows 10, but only a single, monthly "update rollup". This contains all updates that have been released since the operating system was released. In this way, the fragmentation of the different versions is counteracted, which reduces the maintenance effort for the manufacturer and thus also enables higher code quality. Depending on the previous update status of the system, the download of the current update rollup is smaller or larger.

Since autumn 2016, Microsoft has not only used the monthly roll-up model for Windows 10, but also for Windows 7 and Windows 8. This has u. a. the advantage that updates are installed more quickly: after a new installation, hundreds of individual updates no longer have to be installed. Instead, just install the current rollup.

According to its earlier announcements, Microsoft has been publishing so-called "roll-up previews" since autumn 2016, in addition to the monthly rollups that appear on the second Tuesday of each month. These updates, which appear on the third Tuesday of the month, are classified as optional beta versions of the rollups planned for the next month.

Web links

Microsoft official sites

Others

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ at the latest probably up to Windows XP (afterwards with changed identifier)
  2. ↑ at the latest from Windows 10
  3. ↑ http://www.pcwelt.de/news/Microsoft-Update-Catalog-mag-jetzt-auch-Firefox-und-Chrome-10060148.html
  4. ↑ Windows Vista Faq (incl. SP2): # 14 - Entry at WinFuture.de ; Status: November 3, 2006 (accessed on: April 25, 2012)
  5. ↑ http://www.chip.de/news/Grosse-Aenderung-fuer-Windows-Microsoft-steller-Windows-7-und-8.1-um_98479376.html
  6. ↑ http://www.ghacks.net/2016/10/19/kb3192403-kb3192404-and-kb3192406-quality-rollup-previews/