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Microsoft Update Catalog site for Windows updates no longer limited to just Internet Explorer

Microsoft has refreshed its Microsoft Update Catalog site, where it is making patch rollups for earlier versions of Windows and Windows Server, so it no longer works with Internet Explorer only.
Written by Mary Jo Foley, Senior Contributing Editor

As of October 18, Microsoft has modified its Microsoft Update Catalog site so it no longer only works with Internet Explorer (IE).

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The Update Catalog site up until this week required ActiveX for viewing on the web. IE supports ActiveX as a plug-in, but other browsers, including Microsoft's Edge and Google's Chrome, do not.

"Starting today, IT administrators using Microsoft Edge (or other browsers) will be able to use the site for downloading available Windows updates," said Microsoft officials in a short blog post noting the change.

Update (October 20): Well, Chrome works. But I've heard from two users today that accessing the new Update Catalog site using Edge still doesn't work. But I've heard by using "InPrivate" with Edge (which turns off extensions), Edge may be OK for some//most.

Given Microsoft is making the Update Catalog a key component of its updated Windows 7/8.1 patch-rollup strategy, the removal of the ActiveX requirement is a timely one.

Just this week, Microsoft used the site to deliver previews of monthly quarterly rollups for earlier versions of Windows and Windows Server. These "preview rollups" -- previews of new, non-security fixes that will be in next month's rollup -- are slated for the third Tuesday of each month.

Microsoft also is making available monthly security rollups for Windows 7, 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2012/R2 via the Update Catalog, as well.

The refreshed Microsoft Update Catalog is available here.

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