Can anybody tell me why I can't download Microsoft Updates ("Optional" updates that is)?

Question

My computer seems to be set to download critical updates from Microsoft but I simply can not gain access to the optional updates. Anybody got any ideas? I think I need a computer expert for this one?

Answer 1

To help diagnose this, try going using Internet Explorer and visiting the Microsoft Windows Update site. You can easily do this using the Tools->Windows Update menu option. When the page loads you may need to accept some ActiveX controls from the Microsoft website unless they are already installed. Once you get the main welcome screen, select the "Custom" option to get updates. The ActiveX controls will then compare what options you have installed and what you don't. You can then select which components you want to install.

Using this method will allow you to see a more detailed message if you have a problem on your computer. I'm going to make a guess that you have a WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) problem so Microsoft cut you off from non-critical updates as part of a piracy crackdown. If you have a legitimate copy of Windows then the error message should help to figure out the problem.

Answer 2

maybe you have a Pirate copy of windows if your PC dosent pass the windows WGA protocall then it wont allow you to down load many if any updates apart from critical fixes..
you NEED the updates as windows is hackable, but downloading them often has a negative affect on the PC's performance ..starting up ect.

where did you get ur pc from... it may not b genuine windows, why dont you get a imac there being advertised on yahoo i see...!

Answer 3

Click this link to see if you have a genuine copy of Windows on your PC http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/en/default.mspx
Look under "validate now".

Answer 4

most common reason is that you are not using a genuine windows operating system