How To Disable Microsoft Update and Use Windows Update

I was at my clients place yesterday for weekly computer maintenance. Things I usually do is scan for virus/spyware, install Windows updates, remove temporary files, defrag and etc. While I was trying to check for Windows update, I got this error “The website has encountered a problem and cannot display the page you are trying to view” with the error code 0x8DDD0009.

Windows Update 0x8DDD0009 error fix

Many steps were taken to try to fix this problem but to no avail. Before I gave up, I remembered that many years ago I was using Windows Update instead of Microsoft Update. Perhaps switching to Windows Update would work. I manually entered the URL http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ but it redirects me to Microsoft Update. Here’s how I disable Microsoft Update and use Windows Update.

The difference between Windows and Microsoft Update is Windows Update provides updates for the operating system and related components, such as definition updates to the Windows Defender antispyware product and Junk Mail filter updates for Windows Mail. As for Microsoft Update, it provides updates not only for the operating system, but also certain Microsoft software such as Microsoft Office, Windows Live applications, Microsoft Expression and some server products.

Just follow the few simple steps below to stop Windows Update website from automatically redirecting to Microsoft Update.

1. Go to Windows Update or Microsoft Update site

2. When you see the page asking you to click either Express or Custom, DO NOT click either one. At the left hand sidebar, click Change settings.

Microsoft Update Change Settings

3. Scroll right to the bottom of the page and you’ll see an option to disable Microsoft Update. Check “Disable Microsoft Update software and let me use Windows Update only” and click Apply changes now button. Click Yes to continue.

Stop using Microsoft Update

4. You should get a confirmation page stating “You have successfully disabled the Microsoft Update software on your computer. To keep your computer up to date, make sure you have turned on Automatic Updates in Control Panel. You can also visit the Windows Update website at any time.”

Since my client doesn’t have other Microsoft software such as Office, it’s OK to turn off Microsoft Update and use Windows Update. Even if they have Microsoft office installed, I can use Microsoft Office Update. What I am suggesting here is a workaround, not to fix the problem.

Note: You can’t revert back to Microsoft Update from Change Settings page. You’ll need to follow this link to enable it back.