Windows Update v6 Beta Coming Soon
Posted by Tom Warren on 27 January 2005 - 19:17 · 47 comments & 9744 views
Microsoft Beta co-ordinator, Roger Holland, has just informed current testers of Windows Update v5 that version 6 of the update service is due to hit beta soon.

The Windows Update v5 beta ended late last year and Windows Update v5 is the current release that millions of users across the world are using. In an email to testers, Holland, thanks v5 testers and reminds testers that "the WU v6 beta is for testing only; you should not rely on this site to maintain security updates on any operational, non-test system."

The new release of Microsoft Update will aim to keep Microsoft products secure and up to date with the latest patches, beginning with Windows, Office, SQL, and Exchange. Microsoft are currently developing Windows Update Services for enterprise customers wishing to update Microsoft Windows 2000/XP, Microsoft Office XP/2003, Exchange and SQL.

We're not sure on an exact date but the beta will open its newsgroup doors within the next 2 weeks. Stay tuned for the latest news on WUv6 here at Neowin.net

View: Microsoft Beta Testing Site

* : Neowin contacted a variety of other sites (like Blogger) yet these sites failed to get back to us either in time for this story or at all. Either way, it's important to understand the fact that none of the main Blog Service Providers offer serious guidance to parents, or youths.


There are 47 additional comments
Advertisement
(5 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #1 Posted by leesmithg on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:22
Interesting, just cannot understand why though.
Quote this comment #1.1 Posted by mohennessey on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:24
probably to implement their new method of validating a copy of windows to receive updates.
Quote this comment #1.2 Posted by Hurmoth on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:25
Keep pirated software from getting updates!
Quote this comment #1.3 Posted by tiagosilva29 on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:26
^ exactly

plus, they're going to integrate all the update systems in only one platform, which will make things more simpler, I guess.
Quote this comment #1.4 Posted by squirrel_vomit on 28 Jan 2005 - 06:04
Received my Betamail notice.
I was told all new betas where being downloaded and updated through WU now?
Quote this comment #1.5 Posted by shao on 28 Jan 2005 - 08:30
actually, it's more likely to be because a whole load of patching technologies from windows is finally coming together.

namely windowsupdate, officeupdate, and windows udpate services. WUS is the enterprise version of windows update which allows administrators to manage and deploy patches to their computers remotely. Actually, i've been deploying the beta of WUS to our domain in the past few days, and for a free tool it's absolutely amazing. Infact, every single point that was lacking in Software update services (the precursor to WUS) has been improved, added, or resolved at the SUS users request. i really can't fault it.
so as it says, windows update i believe will be changing to microsoft update, and should incorporate patching for more than just windows+ie+media player, but also incorporate delta patching, which means smaller downloads for users, and a new version of the auto update client which means less reboots..

and here's you guys thinking it was just because microsoft aer evil, when in actual fact you hadn't even read the article about the new authentication requirement _NOT_ blocking out automatic updates, which should all be carried over from the microsoft update site.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #2 Posted by tktino on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:24
No thanks.

Mr magoo
(2 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #3 Posted by Hurmoth on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:26
So, if you didn't get into V5 Beta, how can you get in this one? I haven't seen a Guest ID yet, will there be one?
Quote this comment #3.1 Posted by Daninku on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:30
where do you get the guest ID?!
Quote this comment #3.2 Posted by c00ly on 05 Feb 2005 - 21:39
Umm do you guys not remeber the V5 beta test? You just changed the V4 to v5 in your address bar and the only security was are you a beta tester? if you siad yes you got to use it without a password or anything, if you said no it went to v4.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #4 Posted by Mr. Dee on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:41
Just got the letter too. I agree too about the valid Windows license scheme, think the next release is on journey to implementation. It will also be great in terms of supporting more Microsoft products such as Office which I still needs to be a bit more dynamic interms of Windows Update, its still not utilizing the Automatic Update service.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #5 Posted by no-sweat on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:44
why dont i ever get a guest ID.. i think microsoft hates me
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #6 Posted by Steven on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:50
QUOTE
Microsoft Update
The new release of Microsoft Update will aim to keep Microsoft products secure and up to date with the latest patches, beginning with Windows, Office, SQL, and Exchange.


It's going to be called Microsoft Update. No Longer Windows Update.
Quote this comment #6.1 Posted by Hurmoth on 27 Jan 2005 - 19:55
Awesome. I hate having to go to two different sites to update Microsoft products!
(5 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #7 Posted by chacho on 27 Jan 2005 - 20:17
Seems awfully soon after v5...
Quote this comment #7.1 Posted by Hurmoth on 27 Jan 2005 - 20:25
Trying to stop pirates!
Quote this comment #7.2 Posted by travelcard on 28 Jan 2005 - 07:23
Aaaargh! They'll never stop us pirates, me 'earties! Shiver me timbers etc.
Quote this comment #7.3 Posted by shao on 28 Jan 2005 - 08:32
jeez hurmoth. know of what ye speak before ye goes a blabbering
Quote this comment #7.4 Posted by scaredmogwai on 28 Jan 2005 - 20:28
Quote this comment #7.5 Posted by Dirtie on 29 Jan 2005 - 03:31
Argh, yargh, hargh.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #8 Posted by Spapex on 27 Jan 2005 - 20:40
Anyone using Microsoft WUS Beta can use WindowsUpdate Beta....
Quote this comment #8.1 Posted by shao on 28 Jan 2005 - 08:43
was just about to say that. And seeing as the wus beta is already quite old some of us will have been using the new version of the site for a long time already.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #9 Posted by RichardK on 27 Jan 2005 - 21:10
We use Micrsoft WUS @ work and when I ran Windows Update 2 nights ago, I was redirected to the Windows Update beta site. It incorporates Office updates with normal Windows updates. I was able to install 1 windows update and 1 office update from the same site, pretty nice. Makes it a little easier when setting up new machines.
(3 replies) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #10 Posted by ev0| on 27 Jan 2005 - 21:40
Fix the goddamn horrible jerky scrollbar this time around for christ's sake. I thought that was just a beta thing but they kept it for v5.
Quote this comment #10.1 Posted by Richardo on 28 Jan 2005 - 04:33
Agreed.
Quote this comment #10.2 Posted by SquareSoft0 on 28 Jan 2005 - 08:53
Err, what?
Quote this comment #10.3 Posted by zonemen on 29 Jan 2005 - 06:32
It's not jerky. You must not have a very system. ?
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #11 Posted by Cyber Dog on 27 Jan 2005 - 21:56
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserversystem/wus/trial.mspx

QUOTE
Windows Update Services (WUS) builds on the features of Software Update Services (SUS) by providing the following:
• Expanded support for Microsoft products, including Office, SQL Server, Exchange, and critical hardware drivers.
• More update classifications. Microsoft uses update classifications to categorize types of updates. For example, current update classifications include Critical Updates, Security Updates, and Drivers (for example, hardware driver updates). New update classifications include the following:
• Connectors: Software components designed to support connection between software.
• Guidance: Scripts, code samples , and technical guidance designed to help in the deployment and use of a product or technology.
• Tools: Utilities or features that help users accomplish a task or set of tasks.
• More language support for international customers. WUS Server is now localized to 17 languages.
• Maximized bandwidth efficiency and flexibility when you install Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) version 2.0. BITS 2.0 will be available on Windows Update.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #12 Posted by JoGro123 on 28 Jan 2005 - 02:09
Is the beta site up yet?
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #13 Posted by blackice912 on 28 Jan 2005 - 02:14
wahaha, I have the e-mail.

Crazy how quickly they are starting v6. I know it's to kill the pirate copies...but crazy still.
Quote this comment #13.1 Posted by shao on 28 Jan 2005 - 08:44
no it's not.
and even if it were, the automatic updates client on pc's will still function correctly, and detech and patch for all items picked up by windows update.. so you were doubly wrong.
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #14 Posted by oscyaki on 28 Jan 2005 - 02:15
Version 6 is probably going to be using the Windows Genuine Advantage program.

It's quite annoying having to go through the process (took me 7 minutes).

Windows Genuine Advantage Program: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx
Quote this comment #14.1 Posted by shao on 28 Jan 2005 - 08:46
three options for people
1) buy the freaking os ffs! I mean, you use it every day!!
2) just wait until the WU goes live, and use auto updates
3) the naugty third option, but you'd have to be a dweeb to promote piracey on a site which prohibits it. :-P
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #15 Posted by warr on 28 Jan 2005 - 03:19
you are punked.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #16 Posted by AminoSC on 28 Jan 2005 - 04:10
I got the email too. I hope they send us some goodies like ummm, Longhorn Beta via v.6

Quote this comment Reply to this comment #17 Posted by war on 28 Jan 2005 - 05:06
Most v5 beta tester got auto invited. No guest idea peeps.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #18 Posted by tktino on 28 Jan 2005 - 05:30
hehe. im already in. but i cant wait~ hehe
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #19 Posted by Lock on 28 Jan 2005 - 08:16
im in, my life is complete
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #20 Posted by Chrysalis on 28 Jan 2005 - 10:43
went to register page but it is asking for business details and indicates it is for windows 2003, this not for XP ?
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #21 Posted by Another_Paul on 28 Jan 2005 - 20:49
Maybe this new version will let us Firefox users actually use the update centre, instead of using IE.
Quote this comment #21.1 Posted by King Rilian on 28 Jan 2005 - 21:10
THAT'S wishful thinking.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #22 Posted by King Rilian on 28 Jan 2005 - 21:10
OK, I don't understand the reason for coming out with newer versions all the time. What was the problem with v4?
(1 reply) Quote this comment Reply to this comment #23 Posted by Dirtie on 29 Jan 2005 - 03:25
This is bad for me, and lots of other users around the world. This is the first implementation in the bid to crack down on pirated versions of Windows, where only critical security updates will be available (so the internet can be safer for everyone) but nothing else. Hopefully a work*cough*around will be devised though.
Quote this comment #23.1 Posted by MrCobra on 03 Feb 2005 - 07:06
Windows Product Activation was supposed to do that too but look how that went. Be patient.
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #24 Posted by devianca on 29 Jan 2005 - 10:28
where can i get guest ID ?
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #25 Posted by Amsterdam on 03 Feb 2005 - 17:54
From Microsoft
Quote this comment Reply to this comment #26 Posted by Amsterdam on 07 Feb 2005 - 17:43
When is this going to be released
[1]

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.


Scroll to the Top
....
My Preferences
....
Communicating with server
Loading
Please Wait...
....
Loading
 X 
....