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Guide to updating Windows WITHOUT Windows Update or Autoupdate

Schadenfroh

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
The following methods can be used to update windows without microsoft. This seems to be a popular topic on the forum, so I decided to list the most popular ways to update windows without microsoft in one easy location. Note that there is always a risk in getting updates from people other than microsoft, so do this at your own risk.

To pirates
This thread is intended to give end users more options. If you are using these methods to get by WGA, just buy the operating system and stop worrying about getting caught or that Windows will not update because of a pirated key. Check AT Hot Deals for low prices on LEGAL copies of Windows. No need to reinstall windows once you buy it, see this thread on how to change your license key to a legal one without reinstalling windows after you buy it.


Microsoft official:
I would suggest using the methods that Microsoft offers.



Now to the alternatives:

Way to update via browser plugin

windizupdate
  • Features and notes (from their webpage):
  • No personally identifiable information is collected
  • It lists just the updates you need. If an update has been superceded by a newer one, it will not ask you to install the older one.
  • plugin is not an ActiveX control.
  • Works on Windows versions no longer supported by Microsoft -- Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 95
  • It is not restricted to just Microsoft products. Software from other vendors can also be updated.
  • There is a delay from when new updates are released from Microsoft to when they appear on this site.

Applications:



Special thanks to mrbill14, John, IamDavid, and all those in this thread!
 
Originally posted by: LoKe
From what I've heard, Microsoft was forced to tell users how to disable WGA. 😵
Click to expand...
Only the version of WGA that phones home on a daily basis. Don't know about the newer version, though, if it's removable the same way or not. My money's on "not". The thing that frustrates me is that WGA is absolutely unnecessary, and serves no purpose for those who have a legit copy. Internet Explorer has it's own validation add-in which is what Microsoft servers use to authenticate, not WGA. So far I've avoided it by just unselecting it and saying not to download this again. It's popped up 3 or 4 times in total, so not a big nuissance yet.
 
Originally posted by: IamDavid
I've used autopatcher for a couple years now.
Click to expand...

Yes autopatcher is the sheezit - I am still running all my pc's on windows xp pro developers copy - the copy prior to the relese of xp pro retail,Since the athentication in update as come into play - I ahve no worries - have sp1 and sp2 on disk - and from here on out I have access to updates as they are relesed with autopatcher.
-CB
 
Originally posted by: mrbill14
Forgot to add that you can use IE, Firefox.... whatever.
Click to expand...

it looks like you can't use IE for some reason.


how does this work? does it find all the files on MS's site?
 
i've used both autopatcher and windizupdate, no problems.

yeah, windizupdate will only work with non IE browsers. it works similarly to how windowsupdate used to (i don't know if it still does, i haven't gone there in years). you go to the site and it scans your computer to find out what updates you need and then installs them. i am fairly certain it does not however contact any microsoft site. they probably have a listing of patches and have the patches on the web server and then that sends them to you.
 
I've just tried windizupdate it's the bee's knees. My Auto updates stopped working awhile ago so i had to download all updates manully. I thought iwas up to date but windizupdate found 40 i hadn't installed, cool. Thanks guys.
 
Thanks for all the information guys. I am updating the OP to contain all the information in this thread so that it can be easily had by others who might view it. Thanks guys!
 
Hey Schadenfroh,

Very nice post sir.

Although this is indeed a popular topic would you mind emphasizing the fact that every time the topic is brought up the consesus among the veterans here is that you should stick to the official methods recommended by Microsoft. Despite good intentions on behalf of Autopatcher and others the fact remains that getting your security updates from sources other than Microsoft carries risk.

As a quick experiment to demonstrate one tiny aspect of this try adding bogus (potentially malicious) host file entries for both Autopatcher and Windows update to your machine and see what happens. One will still get you secure updates, the other will get you phished 🙂


Also, for official channels how about SUS, WSUS, SMS, AD GPOs etc??

 
every time the topic is brought up the consesus among the veterans here is that you should stick to the official methods recommended by Microsoft
Click to expand...
That statement is controversial. I, for one, do not agree.
You should speak for yourself and let the "veterans" speak for themselves.
 
Originally posted by: bendixG15
every time the topic is brought up the consesus among the veterans here is that you should stick to the official methods recommended by Microsoft
Click to expand...
That statement is controversial. I, for one, do not agree.
You should speak for yourself and let the "veterans" speak for themselves.
Click to expand...

There are always dissenters but the same overall consesus is reached eventually. If this thread lives long enough I expect the same will happen.

The veterans have spoken for themselves many times already. Do a search.
 
Originally posted by: stash
I have yet to hear a valid reason for not using any of the three major MS technologies (WU/AU/MU) on a legal Microsoft Windows operating system.
Click to expand...

Fixed... 😉 😛
 
It saddens me that people would use this thread to try to get around copy protection from Microsoft, just to save $10. 🙁

Windows XP for $10

Buy it and never worry about getting busted by Bill for stealing. It is the right thing to do if you are using the ways in the OP to help with your stolen software.
 
Originally posted by: stash
I have yet to hear a valid reason for not using any of the three major MS technologies (WU/AU/MU).
Click to expand...

Some users have lost faith in Microsoft's automatic updates after the Windows Genuine Advantage debacle.

Although, I do not see WGA as being a force of evil at all. If Microsoft wanted to spy on you, im sure they would find more subtle ways than WGA. I still suggest, as stated in the OP, that users only use the official Microsoft/Windows Update and/or Automatic Windows update from Microsoft.
 
The users who "lost faith" listened to a bunch of FUD instead of actually learning about what WGA was doing. Of perhaps they "lost faith" that their running pirated software would remain uncaught.

There are no good reasons not to use MS update technologies if you are a legal user and there are plenty of reasons why using a 3rd party update is a very bad idea.
 
Consider also the following:

Autopatcher is the best way to install all of the security updates BEFORE connecting to the internet after a fresh install of windows.

Diehard anti Internet Explorer people, along with people who have removed IE via a xp-lite install might find the plug in for Opera/FireFox good for getting updates.

People who have followed black viper's services guide and screwed up their auto updates might also need some of these alternatives (albeit that is there own fault for disabling needed services for a placebo decrease in system resource use).
 
Originally posted by: Shamrock
Originally posted by: stash
I have yet to hear a valid reason for not using any of the three major MS technologies (WU/AU/MU).
Click to expand...

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...hreadid=1877848&enterthread=y&arctab=y

Here's your valid reason. EVEN YOU posted in that thread and were stumped. So, YOU tell US ALL why an MS employee could tell Stumps how they knew EVERYTHING about ALL his computers on his network, when he was only activating his FIRST PC of 8?
Click to expand...
You obviously have never used WSUS, you get to control what gets installed AND they come from an official (and supported) channel.
 
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