Vista - Still another Update problem

I'm running Windows Vista SP2. Firefox is my default browser.

Whenever I click on "Check for Updates" on several Microsoft applications (i.e. Excel, Live Mail, etc). I get sent to the following page:

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Thank you for your interest in obtaining updates from our site.

To use this site, you must be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or later.

To upgrade to the latest version of the browser, go to the Internet Explorer Downloads website.

If you prefer to use a different web browser, you can obtain updates from the Microsoft Download Center or you can stay up to date with the latest critical and security updates by using Automatic Updates. To turn on Automatic Updates:

1. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Security.
2. Click Security Center, and then make sure Automatic updating is turned on.

To enhance the security and performance of your computer, make sure Windows automatic updating is not turned off.
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Windows Update works for other updates.

How can I get updates?

Set for the moment IE as default browser,after updating restore Firefox

Thanks for the quick response.

I tried your suggestion then received:

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Microsoft Updatebutton {padding: 0px 14px 1px 14px;width: 80px;height: 21px;overflow: visible;line-height: 15px;cursor: default;}
To install updates from this website, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group on your computer. If you use Windows XP, you can see if you are an administrator by going to User Accounts in Control Panel.

Note: If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you using this website. Contact your system administrator for help with updates.

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I am the only one on this computer and am logged on as the Administrator.

I searched my system for "Microsoft Update" and it is no where to be found. I Do have "Windows Update", however.

That strange:

1.Reset security settings How do I restore security settings to the default settings?
+restart
2.Reset IE Internet Explorer - Reset
(STEP TWO)
3.Look also this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316524

BTW
Do not use media hosting servers to present images.Our forum have great attachments menager under posting area and I suggest use it.Probably you want present thubnail image from any server but on this forum it don't work correctly.

still no.... Windows Update works... just can't get Microsoft Updates for Office stuff.

Look this:Error 0x8DDD0002 with ie8
It seems similar issue to you.WU work but through IE don't.It turned out it caused by Online Armor.Probably other sucurity softwares can also cause this issue.Uninstall completely security softwares:non-system firewals,antivirus,antispyware.