How to open Windows Update window (without waiting for it to pop)?

Question

Currently the only time I can view updates (that are ready for download or install) is when there's a balloon pop-up in the system tray. Is there a way I can open the updates window any time I like?

Solution

With Windows XP, if you open the start menu, and then click on All Programs, there should be a shortcut at the top of the menu for Windows Update. You'd only need to click that to bring it up.

You could also type %SystemRoot%\system32\wupdmgr.exe in the Run dialog to bring it up.

EDIT ok. So, you want to force Windows XP to look for critical updates more than once a day. Just to be clear, that little pop-up can't be used like the browser based Windows Update. It is only part of a notification system that looks for specific, critical updates. It automatically does this once every day (if you have set it to do so). But, if you insist on wanting it to do this more than once a day, Microsoft does provide manual steps.

To force the Automatic Updates client to perform a detection cycle:

• Run Gpedit.msc to configure the Software Update Services server location by using Local Group Policy. Configure only the "Specify intranet Microsoft update service location" policy. Do not configure the "Configure Automatic Updates" policy. This permits you to turn the service on or off by using Control Panel.

NOTE: If the policy settings are applied from the domain level, the settings cannot be overwritten by Local Group Policy

• If the client is Microsoft Windows 2000-based, start the Automatic Updates tool in Control Panel. If the client is Microsoft Windows XP-based, right-click My Computer, click Properties, and then click the Automatic Updates tab.

• Set the options the way that you want them. Click to clear the Enable Automatic Updates check box, and then click Apply.

• Wait a few seconds, click to select the Enable Automatic Updates check box, and then click OK. This forces a detection cycle.

After you follow these steps, a detection cycle should occur in approximately 5 to 10 minutes. To verify that a detection cycle occurs:

• Start Regedit.exe. Locate and then click the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update

• Verify that the AUState value is 2.

• View the DetectionStartTime value. It should have a time stamp of approximately the time that you last used Auto Updates.

• If you watch the DetectionStartTime value, the value is deleted after the detection cycle occurs. This may take from 5 to 10 minutes, but typically occurs within 5 minutes.

• View the log for entries that indicate contact with the Software Update Services server.

Important The procedures in this article work only if the Automatic Updates client has been configured manually. The procedures do not work if the Automatic Updates client has been configured by using a Group Policy setting. If the client has been configured by using a policy setting, you cannot change the client's settings without first removing the client from the organizational unit that has the policy applied.

So, again, what you apparently want to do is force a check for critical updates. If you believe that this non-browser based option will allow you to browse through all potential updates, you are mistaken, and should use the standard Windows Update.

Comments

[IMB]

That one opens Internet Explorer and goes to the Microsoft Windows Update website. What I mean is the actual application window where in you can select the items you like to download/install.

[mihi]

that IE page will load an activex control that will trigger popping up that application window as soon as you check for updates and anything is found. At least on XP when having opted in to use Microsoft Update (instead of Windows Update).

[Bon Gart]

The feature you want is an extension and improvement of the Critical Update Notification. If there are no critical updates detected on it's once a day cycle, then it presents no update options. It cannot be used to choose non-critical updates to install. I will edit my answer to include the steps necessary to force the Critical Update check more than once a day.

[IMB]

Your edited answer works. That's what I was looking for, thanks. BTW the reason I like this than the browser update is because I want to run it in the background than a dedicated open browser.

[Gurken Papst]

There is no such option to check for updates in Windows XP. You can only configure Windows Update in some aspects.

[Moab]

@BonGart great answer