How do you know that Windows Update is actually working?

buglawton

I use several different computers. On most of them every once in a while I see a forced restart due to Windows Update. OK and fine. On one of them however I have not noticed this happening. Now, if visit the Windows Update web page it always fails on some strange error message. In any case, after visiting this PC's Security Center, it appears that Windows Update is taking care of this so no need to use Tools > Windows Update anyway from IE 6.0.

Question is, how do I KNOW that the Update is working? Is there for example a recent patch I could check on, so see if it is in place on the suspect PC?

superscaper

If windows update was working properly then I'm pretty sure IE7 is an automatic download as it's classed as a critical security update. So if it's still only got IE6 installed I'd suspect it wasn't downloading the updates.

buglawton

I set them NOT to download IE7.0 as I installed a useful IE 6.0 freeware plugin that does not work with 7.0.

Any other way to be sure whether Windows Update is working?

rainbowtrout

Why do you need windows update? All they try to install are these dubious 'safety patches' and 'copy right management' b*llocks that seem to limit how many times you can listen to your music! I've had mine disabled for more than a year now and am using firefox 2.0. Never had any problems, never missed the thing. I'll be moving to linux next if I didn't play games on my PC:D. Seriously if your computer's working fine I really wouldn't worry about it not doing windows updates.

spud17

buglawton

If the computers are using similar versions of XP(?) then could you not have a look in Add/Remove programs,(with the show updates box ticked), you could then compare updates.

ollyk

I wouldn't worry too much I got a corrupt system file recently and non of my updates would install, and Windows told me about it! It took a bit of searching to actually find the culprit!