Windows Update when Group Policy Forbids

Question

I am in the administrators group for my local Windows XP machine and I would like to get updates via http://update.microsoft.com/[1]. However, this is prevented via the group policy:

Network policy settings prevent you from using this website to get updates for your computer.

Is there anyway to override this specific policy for my machine or my user?

[1] Several installed applications are Microsoft based, but are not part of the machine standard (eg Visual studio). As such, I am not getting the updates for these applications. I could periodically go to the various application sites and look for hotfixes, but that is beyond tedious.

Solution

You can temporary overwrite registry key to allow connect windows to update.microsoft.com directly:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate

Then all updates completed successfully

Comments

[Admin]

Have you spoken to the admin who created the Group Policy? If you have vulnerable apps, the admin should be able to accomodate in some way.

[Admin]

I am a consultant, so my access within the organization (who I can talk to) is limited as is the scope of my influence. But thank you for the idea.

[Admin]

If updated software is key to you being able to do your job, then the IT department should accommodate you. Try to get your supervisor/manager to request the IT department to either open up the update site for you, or to include this application in the update process. Many updates are in relation to security vulnerabilities that could put the whole network at risk if left unpatched. Try to find a way to convince the company that it is their best interest to keep this software up to date. Though if they don't want to help, there is not much you can do.

[Sc0tty]

Per windizupdate.com/forum, WindizUpdate is no longer in support. For Windows Updates Downloader, that is just for Windows Updates; I am looking to cover Microsoft apps beyond Windows (eg Visual Studio).

[Doltknuckle]

If you are a consultant using company provided software doing the above could get you in trouble. I would make sure you check the security policy before you mess around with anything. I've seen people fired for trying to get around the security policy. Find out if you can bring in a personal laptop with this app on it and transfer files via thumb drive (most IT groups don't allow foreign computers on the network). You could then update the system off site. Though this is a poor solution since many companies don't even allow outside computers to physically come on site.

[Sc0tty]

It looks like petri.co.il/tools.htm is the home for GanoTools - the collection of tools which includes KillPol. Unfortunately, it appears that there is a broken link to get the most recent version, or this tool is no longer supported. I will give it a try when I get back home tonight...

[I say Reinstate Monica]

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