Windows Update vs. Microsoft Update - Windows Tips

If you are one of those Windows users that likes to do your own updates rather than letting Microsoft tell you what you need then you may have noticed that there is a Windows Update as well as a Microsoft Update. Now the question is which should you be using and what’s the difference? The answer is it’s up to you and whether or not you want to use one stop shopping for your updates.

Windows Update only does updates for the Windows operating system itself. These updates also include Windows components such as Internet Explorer, DirectX, .NET and Windows Media Player. It also includes security and service pack updates.

Microsoft Update includes all of the items that Windows Update covers as well as other Microsoft products such as Office, SQL and Exchange all in one place. Normally you would have to go to Office Update to do your Office updates and then find the various other updates for other Microsoft products. Microsoft Update is free to use of course and can be applied to your computer simply by visiting the Microsoft Update site. Once you start using Microsoft Update on your computer it will replace Windows Update and take you to the new site even if you click on the Windows Update icon.

Related Computer Tips:
How to Stop Unexpected Reboots After Windows Updates
Configuring Automatic Updates in Windows XP

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