Adding Microsoft Updates to Windows 8?

[user25745]

Apologies as I know this has probably been asked many times but a "Microsoft Updates" search didn't immediately yield a likely result.

Is the only way to get updates for both Windows and Microsoft Products via the more info link listed inside Windows Update in Windows 8?

http://fe1.update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/vistadefault.aspx?ln=en-US

It states one has to do a search in order to access an option to install optional updates? That is the only way?

Will installing those optional updates via that search install all optional updates Windows Update currently lists for me also? As I do not want any of those.

 

[mechBgon]

I've run into a couple systems where I couldn't switch them from Windows Update to Microsoft Update in the conventional fashion. It was in an endless-loop scenario where clicking the link took me to Microsoft's page where it says to click the link. Department Of Redundancy Department stuff

Practical lowbrow solution: install Microsoft Silverlight and it'll enable Microsoft Update during install. Afterwards you can uninstall Silverlight. I should find out what Registry key gets changed when you do this... maybe next time I see it, I'll investigate that.

You definitely want to be on Microsoft Update, as it will update additional Microsoft stuff you have, or may install later, including under-the-hood stuff that gets installed to support other software.

 

[user25745]

Thank you.

No lingering harm in installing Silverlight and then uninstall (meaning unwanted lingering remnants)? Never used that or really even know much about it.

I just realized I posted this under the wrong category. Had two tabs open responding to a thread in this forum and forgot to switch back to the Operating Systems forum. Apologies.

Edit: The Microsoft Silverlight says it uses the .NET framework. I checked and I don't have that installed so will it also install that? I'd rather avoid having anything left from it after uninstall since I'd only go that route in order to get the Microsoft Updates option to appear in Windows Update.

 

[mechBgon]

The .NET 3.5 SP1 package is probably the one it's looking for. While you could uninstall it afterwards, there's a great use for it if you're interested in security, which it sounds like you are: Microsoft EMET. Some info on EMET here: http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html#sehop

EMET is a free add-on that makes stuff more difficult to exploit.

 

[TheRyuu]

I've run into a couple systems where I couldn't switch them from Windows Update to Microsoft Update in the conventional fashion. It was in an endless-loop scenario where clicking the link took me to Microsoft's page where it says to click the link. Department Of Redundancy Department stuff

Practical lowbrow solution: install Microsoft Silverlight and it'll enable Microsoft Update during install. Afterwards you can uninstall Silverlight. I should find out what Registry key gets changed when you do this... maybe next time I see it, I'll investigate that.

You definitely want to be on Microsoft Update, as it will update additional Microsoft stuff you have, or may install later, including under-the-hood stuff that gets installed to support other software.

For whatever reason I had the same problem with trying to enable that and I got around the endless loop by disabling enhanced protected mode in IE (enabled it again after I turned on the "Updates for Windows and other Microsoft features"). I don't use IE but turned on enhanced protected mode because lets be honest, it should probably be enabled by default because of the security it can provide.

At least I think that's what we're talking about in this thread...

 

[thewhat]

The .NET 3.5 SP1 package is probably the one it's looking for. While you could uninstall it afterwards, there's a great use for it if you're interested in security, which it sounds like you are: Microsoft EMET. Some info on EMET here: http://www.mechbgon.com/build/security2.html#sehop

EMET is a free add-on that makes stuff more difficult to exploit.

EMET doesn't need .NET 3.5, though. It only needs .NET 2.0, which stays even if you disable .NET 3.5.

 

[user25745]

For whatever reason I had the same problem with trying to enable that and I got around the endless loop by disabling enhanced protected mode in IE (enabled it again after I turned on the "Updates for Windows and other Microsoft features"). I don't use IE but turned on enhanced protected mode because lets be honest, it should probably be enabled by default because of the security it can provide.

At least I think that's what we're talking about in this thread...

I wasn't hit with a loop. My question was sort of related to the more info link Microsoft has explaining how to use the Microsoft Updates in addition to just Windows Update.

That link states one has to do a search when inside Metro, or whatever it is supposed to be called.

Enter Windows Update in the search box, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Install optional updates.

My concern was what exactly happens when I click install optional updates via that hidden search method. Whether that means Windows Update will install all of the optional updates it currently lists for me when using WU or not. If not, then that is the way to add Microsoft Updates for me. But, if it is going to install all optional updates in addition to adding Microsoft Updates then I guess installing Silverlight and then uninstalling is the only option.

Kind of an obtuse way to go about allowing the user to select Microsoft Updates. Way more cumbersome than need be.

Thanks all for the input. Appreciated.