Disclaimer and Important Notices
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Microsoft Corporation. This software is provided "as is", without warranty of any kind. We don't believe anything should go wrong, but please ensure you have backups of any important data anyway. The Windows Update websites offered here are unofficial. This project is for archival purposes only. Read the
Legal
Information page to learn more.
The use of Windows Update Restored doesn't mean that you should keep using older unsupported versions of Windows. Getting security updates for those old operating systems may not protect you in today's online world and against modern viruses. There are plenty of security holes in these operating systems and there's a reason why Microsoft took down the Windows Update websites for them. You should use a modern supported operating system like Windows 10, Windows 11, or even a Linux distribution. For further information, read the Frequently Asked Questions.
Welcome to Windows Update Restored!
Thank you for visiting Windows Update Restored! This exciting project is
dedicated to the restoration and revival of the Windows Update functionality for
legacy Windows operating systems, specifically Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0, Windows
98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. Our primary objective is to
reinstate the convenience and user experience of the original Windows Update
websites, allowing users to revisit these essential features just as they
were during their heyday.
In August 2011, a significant change occurred when Microsoft discontinued the Windows Update websites for many older operating systems. This decision effectively severed access to critical updates and security patches that were vital for the continued security and functionality of users’ systems. Windows Update Restored aims to bridge that gap by reviving those classic update websites, allowing users to experience the nostalgia of these updates while maintaining their legacy systems in a secure manner.
Key Features
Here are some of the key features and offerings of Windows
Update Restored:
Comprehensive Update Access:
Our platform provides a broad range of updates, including:
- Security updates to protect your system from vulnerabilities.
- Optional software updates for enhanced features.
- Driver updates to ensure compatibility with new hardware.
- Essential tools that enhance system performance and stability.
Revived Classic User
Experience:
We have successfully restored the full user
interface and features of the original Windows Update, including but not
limited to:
- Critical Update Notification Tool for the Windows Update v3.1 and Windows Update v4 website.
- Automatic Updates functionality for systems from Windows Millennium Edition (Windows ME) through Windows XP.
Optimized Viewing:
- For an optimal experience, we recommend viewing the Windows Update Restored sites at a resolution of 800x600 pixels, which was standard for the older Windows operating systems.
- Our platform functions best with Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later, though we encourage usage of Internet Explorer 5.5 for the best possible functionality.
Restored
Websites
We offer restored versions of the classic Windows Update and
Microsoft Update websites from 1998 to 2006. Here's more information
about them:
| Update websites | Notes |
|---|---|
Designed for:
Experience the earliest available version of the Windows Update website! |
|
Designed for:
Relive the classic updating experience as it was in 1999! |
|
Designed for:
Take a nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s with this version! |
|
Designed For:
This version requires system modifications. Refer to our prerequisites page for detailed instructions. |
|
|
Windows Update v6 |
Designed For:
This version requires system modifications. Refer to our prerequisites page for detailed instructions. |
|
Microsoft Update |
Designed For:
This version requires system modifications. Refer to our prerequisites page for detailed instructions. |
Understanding
Compatibility
It’s crucial to understand that every version of the Windows
Update website requires Internet Explorer 4.0 to 6.0 for proper
functionality. Using any other browser may lead to unexpected issues.
Additional Compatibility
Information
Compatibility details for Windows Update Restored are as follows:
- The restored websites also work for the Windows Server and Windows Embedded counter part operating systems too (Except Windows 2000 Datacenter Server). View our Compatibility page for more information.
- Windows Update Restored doesn't support updating Windows Vista and newer along with their Windows Server and Windows Embedded counter parts. Use our sister project, Legacy Update to update those operating systems.
- Windows Phone, Windows RT, and Windows Compact Editions do not support Windows Update Restored.
Known Issues
While we strive to provide the best possible experience, it
is important to clarify that Windows Update Restored is not perfect, and
users may encounter certain known issues. Below, we outline ongoing
challenges associated with each version, along with specific caveats:
Windows Update Restored
v2
- Download Issues: Some updates may not download due to missing files (CIFs/packages).
- Driver Updates: Currently, driver updates may not show any available updates.
- Multilanguage Support: We
are missing many inventories necessary for multi language support, which
might result in a "Cannot Display Page" message when checking for updates.
Windows Update Restored v3.1
- ActiveX Installation Conflicts: For Windows 98 First Edition, Second Edition, Windows Millennium Edition (Windows ME), and Windows 2000 systems, installing Windows Update v4 ActiveX Controls will disable the use of Windows Update v3.1.
- Windows 2000 Compatibility: Checking for updates does not work on Windows 2000 with Internet Explorer 6, as we are missing required inventories. This will lead to an error during the update process.
- Multilanguage Support: We are missing many inventories for multi language support, which might trigger "Cannot Display Page" notifications.
- Driver Updates: Driver
updates may not show any updates, and certain updates may not download due
to missing files (CIFs/packages).
Windows Update Restored v4
- Driver Updates: At this time, driver updates do not display any available updates across all supported operating systems.
- Multilanguage Support: Checking for updates on Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition in languages other than English or French may not display many available updates. We are actively working on adding more multilingual support.
- Windows Update Catalog: Not all the Windows Update Catalog has been translated, contributing to limited availability of updates.
- Driver Updates section only works in English in the
Windows Update Catalog: The
Driver Updates section in the Windows Update Catalog does not function in
any language other than English.
Windows Update Restored v5
- Website will not work without system modifications: This website requires specific system modifications to function properly. Please refer to our prerequisites page for instructions and to install the Windows Update Restored Prerequisites Installer to ensure the website operates correctly on your system
- Windows Update Stuck on "Windows Update is looking for available updates" on Windows 2000: This issue occurs if you are using Internet Explorer 5. Upgrade to Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher.
- Page Availability: Windows Update Restored v5 may still lack some pages; users might encounter 404 error pages when attempting to click on certain links.
Community and Support
Here is where you can join our vibrant community through the following
platforms and learn a bit about them.
If you encounter questions, concerns, or suggestions,
feel free to reach out through our community platforms.
| Our Platforms | Notes |
|---|---|
| MSFN Forum | The forum where the project began back in March 2022. |
| Discord Server | Engage in real-time interaction, troubleshooting, and updates with community members and project developers. |
If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to join our Discord server and you can get help from our Discord members.