Is Microsoft Update a real thing?

KublaiKhan · Jun 30, 2015

I really do not remember ever going through all this before, but it has been some years since my last XP reinstall.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/mu/archive/2009/03/20/enabling-microsoft-update-to-keep-office-2003-office-xp-and-other-microsoft-products-secure-and-up-to-date.aspx

I've gotten XP to install updates, but I seem to remember always having to install updates for my Office software, too. I installed Office 2003, but nothing is updated for it when checking for updates.

They may have split things apart; I may not remember having to do this—I don't know.

Is this legitimate? I'm asking because of the request for ActiveX controls, which I thought were already installed in IE8.

Thanks!

GearUp · Jun 30, 2015

Office 2007 changed the ActiveX controls so I preferred 2003. I doubt IE8 provides the ActiveX you need and MS is creating a separation for IE usage, with some versions deprecated. I'm thankful I could recover what I needed from 2003 and change my usage. If you are using Access you need to have a project open in code behind to enable the needed controls.

KublaiKhan · Jun 30, 2015

So, it should be OK to shoot over to Microsoft Update and install the ActiveX controls?

GearUp · Jun 30, 2015

Yes take any updates you can from the genuine Microsoft Update service. Office must either be updated individually (forget how but search for it) or by including it in you Windows updates. The security for ActiveX controls is only needed if you are including it in your programming or visiting one of the remaining web sites that still uses such controls. I still haven't used Excel much for programming but in Access it is only a hazard when changes are enabled.

utgotye · Jun 30, 2015

Windows Update is exactly that, updates for Windows as well as drivers and thinks like .Net Framework. Microsoft Update includes updates for other Microsoft products such as Office.

KublaiKhan · Jun 30, 2015

Wow. Now I feel senile, because I do not remember doing this before. Did you say this reflects a recent change? Would that have fragmented the updates some how?

utgotye · Jun 30, 2015

Nah, Microsoft Update has been around for a long time.

KublaiKhan · Jun 30, 2015

Argh! My mind is surely slipping away. I surely don't remember switching, but that's exactly what it looks like. The browser starts at Windows Update and then switches to Microsoft Update.

Thanks for your help, guys!

GearUp · Jun 30, 2015

When you first activate Office (first time it is opened) I believe it prompts whether you want to include those updates with the regular Windows updates.
As for ActiveX it should trail Silverlight in usage by sites, although it too has been essentially deprecated. Some major sites use Silverlight.
IE8 is the last version for XP and earlier versions won't install now. I don't understand where you're getting prompts since I don't see any for systems where I have no Office installed, although I use the browser less there. I also always have the latest browser. I've never used the compatibility mode to handle older sites that must use the ActiveX you need.

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