Upcoming Update to Windows Update
Hi everyone,
I'd like to let you know that, beginning at the end of this month and continuing over the next few months, we’ll be rolling out an infrastructure update to the Windows Update agent (client). I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some background on the update and discuss the value these updates bring to you.
How Windows Update Keeps Itself Up-to-Date
Occasionally, we must update the infrastructure of Windows Update in order to ensure a high level of service quality, reliability, and operation. As part of this process, we update both the back-end infrastructure that supports the service as well as the client side code (i.e. the Windows Update agent, or client).
So what are we doing this time? Well, this particular update won’t really change the way the client looks or feels to you, but you may notice some improvements in the length of time it takes Windows Update to scan for updates and how quickly you’ll receive signature updates. For example, in this update, we’ve invested heavily in reducing the amount of time it takes the Windows Update agent to scan to see if new updates are available. In this case, we’ve seen some instances of the scan times on some machines decreasing almost 20 percent.
Settings 101
Before we dive into how Windows Update issues the infrastructure updates, let’s review some information about different changes you can make to your personal Windows Update settings. We recommend that you install Important + Recommended updates (in Windows Vista) or High Priority updates (in Windows XP) automatically; these options are presented when you set up Windows. After initial setup, if you would like to change your settings, go to the Windows Update application in Windows Vista or the Automatic Updates Control Panel in Windows XP. There you can select from 4 settings: (1) Automatically Download and Install; (2) Download Only (updates are downloaded but the user chooses whether and when to install them); (3) Check for Updates (no updates are downloaded and you’re notified that updates are available for download and install); and (4) Off. See Figures 1 and 2 below.
Figure 1: Windows Vista Windows Update Control Panel
Figure2: Windows XP Automatic Updates Control Panel
What does this mean for you?
Anytime the Windows Update agent is turned on, Windows Update will take care of updating itself. Windows Update is considered “on” when anything other than “Never check for updates” or “Turn off Automatic Updates” is selected. What this means is that if you’ve selected “install updates automatically,” the update to the Windows Update client will install automatically. You may also notice that Windows Update will also automatically download and install updates necessary for the Windows Update client to function properly if you’ve chosen a different setting, like setting 2 (“Automatically Download Updates”) or setting 3 (“Automatically Check for Updates”). This is done in order to ensure that a system will continue to notify the user about available updates.
The Windows Update client does not download or install infrastructure updates if the user has selected setting 4 (“Off”). In other words, if a Windows Vista user selects “Never check for updates,”( or if a Windows XP user selects “Turn off Automatic Updates”), the user will not receive Windows Update client infrastructure updates unless they choose to manually install it from Windows Update.
Windows Update has been keeping itself up-to-date this way for many years, and while these infrastructure updates are important to maintain the quality of the Windows Update service, they aren’t that frequent (they usually occur about once a year).
Why does Windows Update need to self update?
You may be wondering why this process is different from other updates you’ve come to expect from Windows Update. The reason Windows Update issues infrastructure updates in this way is to ensure that users are able to successfully check for updates and/or receive expected notifications. If Windows Update wasn’t able to do this, it may cause some users to believe that they have all of the latest security updates even though there was no installation and/or notifications of updates. To avoid a false sense of security, the Windows Update client automatically checks for and installs any available infrastructure updates anytime a system uses the Windows Update service, independent of the settings for how it handles updates.
I hope this information was useful in helping you understand infrastructure updates, and that you have the time you need to prepare for the update.
We continue to be confident in the value Windows Update offers. For more information about infrastructure updates, please refer to KB946928. If you’d like more information about Windows Update, and how the service works, please review the newly launched Windows Update information on windows.com.
We look forward to hearing your feedback.
Thanks,
Michelle Haven
Product Mgr., WIndows Update
Comments
Anonymous
January 01, 2003
Categories: Business Process Management , Desktop/Mobile , Dynamics , General , Microsoft Press PassAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Hi all, We wanted to let you know that a new version of the Windows Update Agent is being released onAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Microsoft Update Team announced that there will be an update to Windows Update Agent (Client) which willAnonymous
January 01, 2003
(Por El Microsaurio) ¡Horror, espanto y desesperación!Dense una vuelta por este blog mantenido por el equipo de gente que hace Windows Update en Microsoft, y lean el texto posteado por Michelle Haven, Gerente de Producto Para Windows Update (ese es suAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Hi everyone, Over the next couple of months we’ll be rolling out another infrastructure update to theAnonymous
January 01, 2003
The list is a little longer today because of not posting last week. Enjoy! Microsoft Advanced WindowsAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Très petit mois pour l'été : 4 bulletins seulement "importants". Suite aux prévisionsAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Kurzbeschreibung: Neue Version 7.1.6001.65 des Windows Update Clients für Microsoft Update, Windows Update und Auto Update. Aktuell: ja direkter Download der Standalone-Version - wird laut MU-Blog-Eintrag nach und nach auch über über Windows/MicrAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Microsoft will release four security patches for its Windows, Exchange, and SQL products next TuesdayAnonymous
January 01, 2003
v7.2.6001.784 -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104/enAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Microsoft has announced it will upgrade Windows' update mechanism later this month, a warning thatAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Hi everyone, Over the next couple of months we’ll be rolling out another infrastructure update to theAnonymous
January 01, 2003
windows update worked do not update our business updated versionAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Es gibt schon seltsame Zeitgenossen, die nach Jahren entdecken, wie Windows Update bzw. der Windows Update Agent ("die Windows Update-Software") funktioniert und daraus eine riesen Story zu machen versuchen. Ähm, vielleicht sollte ich zunächst einmalAnonymous
January 01, 2003
The comment has been removedAnonymous
January 01, 2003
The version of Windows Update Agent is v7.2.6001.784. Check if you have the above version which is soAnonymous
January 01, 2003
I have windows vista sp1 and didnt receive the update yet, can i do something about it to change it?Anonymous
January 01, 2003
Hi all, We wanted to let you know that a new version of the Windows Update Agent is being released onAnonymous
January 01, 2003
I for one welcome the new changes well done WU TeamAnonymous
January 01, 2003
@muteam, will this new client also fix the issue intruduced by one of the last client versions. If GPO is set "hide all access to Windows Update", users will get no more "system need to reboot" message ? BR, MalteAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Thank you for informing us this time. Am I correct in assuming this is also for Microsoft update as well? Also does this include an update to BITS?Anonymous
January 01, 2003
As thingy said if I have told windows not to install ANY windows update then it shouldn't to exceptions at all. I will be switching off automatic updates on all my machines and will resort to manually running this process at least then I know what is happening. Its seems despite the choice of different modes for Windows Update there are only really 2 on and off.Anonymous
January 01, 2003
I use Outlook 2000 with Vista. Windows update agent 7.2.6001.784 auto installed on 9-3-08. It causes a problem with Contacts on Outlook, Windows Mail, and Windows Contacts. I recently corrected the problem by uninstalling KB933928. Windows update agent 7.2.6001.784 can't be uninstalled. How do I get rid of it to correct the problem it is causing with my Contacts? Help!Anonymous
January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
I notice Automatic Update frequently offers updates that were already installed, many times several months earlier, or longer. Is this intentional ? Do I need to change something ?Anonymous
January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
Really nice article. Can't wait for the updateAnonymous
January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
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January 01, 2003
The WSUS Team announces that the Windows Update Agent (WUA), commonly known as the "WSUS Client" will see an update starting some time around the end of July. When WSUS clients attempt to contact WSUS servers or Microsoft's equivalent Microsoft UpdateAnonymous
January 01, 2003
Starting at the end of this month, Microsoft Update Product Team will be rolling out an update to theAnonymous
January 01, 2003
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June 29, 2010
hopefully this will fix WSUS where some updates install sucessfully and others fail...Anonymous
September 02, 2010
The comment has been removedAnonymous
September 02, 2010
C:Windowssecuritylogsscesetup File Security configuration was completed successfully. ----Configure Security Policy... Configure password information. Administrator account is disabled. Guest account is disabled. System Access configuration was completed successfully. LSA anonymous lookup names setting : existing SD = D:(A;;0xf1fff;;;BA)(A;;0x20801;;;WD)(A;;0x801;;;AN)(A;;0x1000;;;LS)(A;;0x1000;;;NS)(A;;0x1000;;;S-1-5-17). LSA anonymous lookup names setting : computed SD = D:(D;;0x800;;;AN)(A;;0xf1fff;;;BA)(A;;0x20801;;;WD)(A;;0x801;;;AN)(A;;0x1000;;;LS)(A;;0x1000;;;NS)(A;;0x1000;;;S-1-5-17). Configure LSA anonymous lookup setting. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindows ntcurrentversionsetuprecoveryconsolesecuritylevel. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindows ntcurrentversionsetuprecoveryconsolesetcommand. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindows ntcurrentversionwinlogonscremoveoption. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionpoliciessystemdontdisplaylastusername. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionpoliciessystemlegalnoticecaption. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionpoliciessystemlegalnoticetext. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionpoliciessystemscforceoption. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionpoliciessystemshutdownwithoutlogon. Configure machinesoftwaremicrosoftwindowscurrentversionpoliciessystemundockwithoutlogon. Configure machinesoftwarepoliciesmicrosoftwindowssafercodeidentifiersauthenticodeenabled. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsaauditbaseobjects. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsacrashonauditfail. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsadisabledomaincreds. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsaeveryoneincludesanonymous. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsafipsalgorithmpolicyenabled. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsaforceguest. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsafullprivilegeauditing. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsanolmhash. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsarestrictanonymous. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrollsarestrictanonymoussam. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrolprintproviderslanman print servicesserversaddprinterdrivers. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrolsession managerkernelobcaseinsensitive. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrolsession managermemory managementclearpagefileatshutdown. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetcontrolsession managerprotectionmode. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanserverparametersautodisconnect. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanserverparametersenableforcedlogoff. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanserverparametersenablesecuritysignature. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanserverparametersnullsessionpipes. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanserverparametersrequiresecuritysignature. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanserverparametersrestrictnullsessaccess. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanworkstationparametersenableplaintextpassword. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanworkstationparametersenablesecuritysignature. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetserviceslanmanworkstationparametersrequiresecuritysignature. Configure machinesystemcurrentcontrolsetservicesldapldapclientintegrity. Configuration of Registry Values was completed successfully. Configure log settings. Audit/Log configuration was completed successfully. ----Configure available attachment engines... Configuration of attachment engines was completed successfully. ----Un-initialize configuration engine...Anonymous
March 03, 2011
The comment has been removedAnonymous
July 10, 2012
اخي الناشر ممكن تحويل المنشور من اللغه الانجليزيه الى اللغه العربيه .وشكراAnonymous
December 11, 2014
Where does the Windows Update Agent check for new updates if you're on a corporate network? Does it contact the WSUS server?
I have machines that are behind on the WUA and won't update automagically.
Any ideas how to troubleshoot this.
Is there a way to force-update the WUA (I can't seem to find a redistributable package for this anymore)Anonymous
February 06, 2017
Windows Vista 64 bit Service Pack 2 HP laptop I have tried for months to update Windows. Automatic updates have stopped since 1/31/16. Microsoft Security Essentials shows daily threats "potentially at risk"! What is going on here? I feel that this is illegal control of my computer.