Some Security Updates This Month Will No Longer Be Available from the Microsoft Download Site

In a terse and semi-informative blog post, Microsoft has stated that May 2016’s Patch Tuesday will deliver changes in how Microsoft makes some security updates available to customers.

Microsoft says that…

Updates have historically been published on both the Microsoft Download Center and the Microsoft Update Catalog and Security Bulletins linked directly to update packages on the Microsoft Download Center. Starting May 10, some updates will no longer be available from the Microsoft Download Center.

Which updates will see this change? Some.

Or better, yet, just wait until May 10^th to see if you can figure it out for yourself. You have to assume that this is only for security updates for now, but other, non-security updates may follow suit in the future. I’m sure this is partly an effort to improve the amount of time it takes to make updates available, or to hone the process. But, as has been the case in many areas, Microsoft’s explanation still leaves out many of the common why’s, what’s, and wherefores. It’s also safe to assume, considering Microsoft recently delivered a botched update for its WSUS infrastructure, that this is in preparation for the Windows 10 Anniversary update intended to release at the end of July. Incidentally, the botched update is a requirement for those syncing and distributing Windows 10 updates (feature updates) that Microsoft releases after May 1, 2016.

The post goes on to say that…

Security bulletins will continue to link directly to the updates, but will now point to the packages on the Microsoft Update Catalog for updates not available on the Microsoft Download Center. Customers that use tools linking to the Microsoft Download Center should follow the links provided in the Security Bulletins or search directly on the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Interestingly, the Microsoft Update Catalog does not support Microsoft Edge – it needs Internet Explorer to function. Additionally, some (not all) third party patching solutions link to the Microsoft Download center to supply their update catalog so they will need to be updated.