Auto Update Not Functioning

When I try to access the auto update feature on windows I am taken to the microsoft update site and then, after a few seconds, I get a message that says "thank you for your interest in Windows Auto Update feature, but you must be running Windows in order to access this site." The problem is I am running Windows XP Home Edition, it is registered and a legal copy and yet it seems that the website does not see that I am using Windows XP. Any ideas on what has happened to my auto update feature?

 

Are you using Internet Explorer to access the update site? You will get a "Thank you for your interest" page if you try it with any other browser.

If it's not a browser problem, are you running a firewall? That may be interfering with your computer's ability to communicate with Microsoft's server when it tries to find out what operating system is installed. Temporarily disable the firewall and try the site again.

 

Miz,

Thanks for the suggestions about the browser and firewall. However, I am using IE v 6 and have also temporarily disable my Norton Firewall but I still get the message about access not available to non windows users. (Yes, I did disable the XP firewall when I installed Norton Internet Security). There is one curious issue, though. For about the last 6 months I have not been able to view flash files and.... occassionally when trying to view a file or video from a web site I get a message saying my browser is out of date even though I am supposedly running the latest and greatest with IE6. I have also tried going to the Flash Media site to download the free flashplayer viewer and although that installation (re-installation) appears to have been completed successfully, I stil get NO flash player use. Can I re-install Windows IE6? or should I consider using V5?

 

Windows Update Not Functioning

Arie,

Thanks for the suggestion. I just checked and scripting was disabled. I enabled it and also exited and re-activated IE6. Unfortunately, I still get the same "Thanks for your interest in Windows Update, etc. "

 

In Services, you must have Auto Update and BITS (Background intelligent transfer) enabled in order to get MS updates, too.

By the way, I run Norton Internet Security 2005 with my XP firewall, no conflicts, and no trouble accessing the MS site for updates. I do not shut my firewall(s) off while online, period. I did the same thing w/ NIS 03.

Johanna