Windows Updates vs Microsoft Updates

I have been mystified for quite a while as each time I ran Belarc Advisor 8.1.2.0 it would indicate that I was missing at least 17 "Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes" updates with most of them listed as "Important", but 3 of them were listed as "Critical". I hate thinking I have any vulnerabilities!

I would go to Windows Update and do the scan but it would indicate that there was nothing missing.

I would click on the links for each Hotfix in Belarc and noticed that many of these were associated with MS Office. So I would go to the MS Office pages and find it a nightmare to navigate to try and isolate the files I was missing and apparently no automated process for checking if I was missing any hotfixes.

Today I inadvertently found Microsoft Update which is
"an expanded version of the service which provides updates not just for the operating system & Internet Explorer, but also for other Microsoft Windows software, such as Microsoft Office, Windows Live applications, and Microsoft Expression."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Update

Long story short it checks your OS and IE are fine but also any of your MS software.

My system has been potentially vulnerable like this for a long time and trying to navigate the Office section can be a nightmare (I had the latest Office SP3 already but still had at least 17 potential vulnerabilities).

This is an automated process that checks not only the OS but all MS associated software and I highly recommend many to use it. Just goto to IE and type in Mircosoft Update and ensure your Office and other MS software have been hotfix'd.

A day I don't learn something new is a sad one, hope this helps some others.

 

Good point, Bold Eagle, but when you go to Windows Update, you can click on the button that says, "Get Microsoft Updates" there, and you are set... .. I did that, and have been getting all the other updates right along.

I am watching my AU now updating... rolleyes Just continuing from yesterday's HUGE patch/updates. Great reading tho, for those that don't know.. Now, they can get all the rest of the updates needed for Works and Office etc. Yes, I am sure it will help a lot of people

 

Well I have just checked the missus PC and it is just like TeeCee pointed out you can "Get Microsoft Updates" from that page. Her PC needs at least 40 (after updating you need to recheck for there are often more updates that can only be applied "after" initial updates have been done) and I am really glad I have done this today.

I urge one and all to check this and minimise the likelihood of having a vulnerable system. There are way to many infected PC's out there in the community and the vast majority don't even realise there infected and have a zombie or bot on their systems waiting to be activated.

 

Good to know, I checked mine on Microsoft update aadn lucky me there was only 2 critical updates needed

 

It's not unusual for Windows Update to be redirected to Microsoft Update. Microsoft Update is essentially Windows Update on 'steroids'. No cause for alarm. I have Belarc Advisor too and have opted not to install some 'important' updates for my individual reasons, currenly just two. Good luck.

 

Not sure if this is the proper thread to post in, but I have two issues that I have followed through with renaming files, reloading, restoring and these issues are not resolved. The main issue is I am running Windows Vista Home Premium and all of a sudden I lost my windows updates. It is not automatically searching/downloading updates, nor does it show I have ever had any. It is showing NEVER check for updates even though it is set to check updates daily.

My second issue is I keep getting a Pareto Logic window popping up and I think something to do with it is affecting my internet speed and access. I read on thread from here on it, but it seems a little more complicated than I can manage and was wondering if there is an easy step by step process to take care of this issue?

Any assistance you might be able to offer me, would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you!

 

Hello flutterbee...

You are indeed in the correct forum. However, you will get a faster response if you begin in the software forum here:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=21

and then use the "New Thread" button on top of the forum on the left to start a new thread for your issues...

 

As you had pointed out before, the Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI) requires Sun Java installed, but the Personal Software Inspector (PSI) does not.
OSI - System Requirements

Major Geeks is an Official Mirror for Patch My PC.

I use it in place of Secunia. It is much faster and fairly thorough. Also, it is a Stand Alone program and does not require installation.

On the left menu bar, there is a link to Windows Update which performs an immediate scan.

Windows Update

3 Reasons Why You Should Be Running The Latest Windows Security Patches & Updates

 

guys, this thread is over three years old. Flutterbee revived it by posting an unrelated question.