Vista - What happened to Express & Custom Updates?

New Vista Home Premium 64bit user here.

On my WinXP Pro PC, when I do the Microsoft Updates, I see Express and Custom update options. I like the option to install critical Express updates and be able to choose Custom updates for software or hardware.

On my Vista Laptop, I don't see the Express and Custom options any more. Does Microsoft Updates for Vista Home Premium 64bit just install all the updates regardless now? Is there a link to an explanation of the new Vista 64bit update philosophy?

When doing Microsoft Updates, do any of you Vista 64bit users see the "Express" and "Custom" options that appear when doing a WinXP update?

Hit Start> Windows Update. When Update opens look to the left side of the window. Click Change Settings. By the green colored shield with a check mark on it you should see three options:

Install Updates Automatically (recommended)
Download Updates but let me choose when to install them
Check for Updates but let me choose whether to download and install them

Install Updates automatically is the "factory" default and I would bet that is what your machine is set to. Select one of the other 2 options. I use the third option and get the "custom" and "express" options when I update.

And yes, I'm using Vista Ultimate 64 bit.

Hi Burp,

Are you running IE version 8? That's what I'm running. Wonder if it has anything to do with my "problem"? I don't remember if the Express and Custom options appeared while I was on IE7 since I used it only one time when I first went online with my new laptop and I immediately did the windows update and was updated to IE8.

Like you, I always set my Microsoft Updates to choice 3, "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them". If something starts acting weird, I want to know it was because I just installed an update. Guess that's why you use that option also.

I just double checked and the Windows Update setting was indeed set to choice 3. For kicks I selected choice 2 above and clicked OK to attempt to reset the selection. Then I reselected choice 3 and clicked OK. I tried to do another update but the window just said that "No new updates are available for you computer." Guess I'll have to wait for the next update to see what happens.

Thanks a lot for your help!,
Skyzoomer

With WU, there are no Express or Custom updates per se. There is an option for recommended and optional.

Recommended are generally the system patches, Defender updates etc while optional are for device drivers and the like.

Hi smarteyeball,

When I do a Windows Update from my WinXP Pro PC, I log on to the Microsoft website and click "Microsoft Update". It firsts says something about verifying that my version of Windows is genuine or something like that. Then it displays two buttons labeled "Express" and "Custom". Express are the critical updates and I always install all of them.

When I click "Custom" it shows hardware and software updates and I can decide which ones I want to install.

On my new Vista Home Premium 64bit laptop, when I click "Microsoft Update", none of what happens on my WinXP Pro PC happens. The update program just asks me if I want to install the updates and after I click Yes (or OK) it installs the updates. It never shows the hardware and software updates available.

Darn it I hate how MS can be so inconsistent with different OS systems "symultanesoulsy".

Thanks,
Skyzoomer

The update process is much smoother and less hassle in Vista than it is with XP.

The option to install recommended/optional updates depends on your update settings. It sounds like you have it set to download updates automatically which would not give you the options. It simply downloads updates automatically and waits for you (the user) to ok installation.

If you have WU set to "never check for updates", you can then manually use WU in the control panel to check for available updates and selectively install updates.

Hi smarteyeball,

Like you, I always set my Microsoft Updates to choice 3, "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them". If something starts acting weird, I want to know it was because I just installed an update. Guess that's why you use that option also.

I'm reluctant to set WU to "Never check for updates" as I do want to be notified of new critical updates. Why I see the "Express" and "Custom" update options on my WinXP Pro PC but not on my Vista PC when Windows Update is set up exactly the same way on both PCs remains a mystery.

Thanks,
Skyzoomer

The XP express and custom options are essentially the same as Vista's recommended and optional. It's only the delivery method "front end" that is different. ie Browser vs integrated

I actually do have Vista set to "never check for updates" as I tend to check regularly anyway. Plus I like that extra level of "control" and yes, I do like to know what's being installed