Windows Update Restored v5

The History of the Website

The Windows Update website underwent a substantial evolution with the introduction of Windows Update v5, launched alongside Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 in 2004. This update represented a significant upgrade from the previous version, Windows Update v4, enhancing both functionality and user experience. The redesign introduced a refreshed interface while retaining a familiar sidebar layout that many users recognized. Upon visiting the site, users were presented with two distinct modes for checking updates: Express, which focused exclusively on critical updates necessary for system security, and Custom, which allowed for a comprehensive review of all available updates, including the option to check for beta updates. However, this redesign also resulted in the removal of the Windows Update Catalog—a feature many users relied on—though a link to the Catalog remained accessible within the Administrator options.