Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Microsoft Update Catalog VS ABC-Update

Compare Microsoft Update Catalog VS ABC-Update and see what are their differences

Microsoft Update Catalog logo Microsoft Update Catalog

Official Microsoft Update Catalog download site.

ABC-Update logo ABC-Update

Push and control MS Update operations Logging facilities including eMail status info
  • Microsoft Update Catalog Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-07
  • ABC-Update Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-20

Microsoft Update Catalog features and specs

  • Comprehensive
    The Microsoft Update Catalog provides a comprehensive list of updates for all Microsoft products, including drivers, hotfixes, and software updates, ensuring users can find and install specific updates they need.
  • Version Control
    It allows users to choose specific versions of updates, which is particularly useful for IT professionals who need to maintain consistency across an organization's systems.
  • Standalone Packages
    Updates are available as standalone packages, which can be downloaded and installed offline, making it easier to manage updates for machines without direct internet access.
  • Free Access
    The service is free to use, providing cost-effective access to a wide range of updates.

Possible disadvantages of Microsoft Update Catalog

  • User Interface
    The interface is somewhat outdated and not very user-friendly, which can make navigating and searching for updates cumbersome.
  • Complexity
    For average users, understanding and selecting the correct updates might be complicated without detailed technical knowledge.
  • Manual Process
    Updates have to be manually downloaded and installed, which can be time-consuming compared to automated update processes.
  • Limited Search Functionality
    The search functionality is limited and may not always return precise results, requiring users to have exact update knowledge.

ABC-Update features and specs

  • Automation
    ABC-Update provides automated patch management, reducing the need for manual updates and ensuring systems are consistently up-to-date.
  • Granular Control
    Offers detailed control over update deployment schedules, allowing for customization to fit specific organizational needs and minimize downtime.
  • Cost-Effective
    ABC-Update is a free tool, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to manage Windows updates without additional software expenses.
  • Ease of Use
    The software has a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of managing and deploying updates across multiple systems.
  • Compatibility
    It supports a wide range of Windows versions, ensuring broad compatibility within diverse IT environments.

Possible disadvantages of ABC-Update

  • Limited OS Support
    While it supports many Windows versions, it does not support non-Windows operating systems, limiting its applicability in mixed OS environments.
  • Feature Limitations
    Compared to some paid solutions, ABC-Update might lack advanced features such as detailed reporting, third-party application patching, and mobile device management.
  • Manual Intervention
    In some cases, specific configurations might require manual intervention, which can increase resource demands on IT staff.
  • Learning Curve
    New users might experience a learning curve when first implementing and configuring the tool, especially if unfamiliar with Windows updates management.
  • Support
    As a free tool, it may offer limited support options compared to commercial alternatives, potentially affecting troubleshooting and implementation.

Microsoft Update Catalog videos

Windows update problems How to download updates manually using the Microsoft Update Catalog

ABC-Update videos

No ABC-Update videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Microsoft Update Catalog and ABC-Update)
Monitoring Tools
59 59%
41% 41
Patch Management
56 56%
44% 44
Cyber Security
65 65%
35% 35
IT Asset Management
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Microsoft Update Catalog and ABC-Update. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ABC-Update seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 5 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Microsoft Update Catalog mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Microsoft Update Catalog yet. Tracking of Microsoft Update Catalog recommendations started around Mar 2021.

ABC-Update mentions (5)

  • How can you install ONLY critical and security updates in Server 2019?
    If you only have a few server, tools such as abc-update can be used to cherry pick updates. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Son's laptop can't update or reinstall Windows, and can't clean install because it won't recognize USB drive
    If the updates dont work, download abc update gui version from here https://abc-deploy.com/abc-update/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • patch management
    We use a combination of WSUS for approvals for servers, Intune groups and deployment via Intune for workstations and remote workers (not in-office), and PDQ Deploy and ABC Update (https://abc-deploy.com/abc-update/) to actually push the updates via a PDQ package that calls the command to update when we want..we had been using policy to apply updates at a certain time on saturdays during our patch window, although... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Batch file to download and install Windows Updates when launched?
    I've used ABC-Update to automate this as a scheduled task with. Source: about 3 years ago
  • How do you patch hundreds of servers every month?
    ABC deploy, its free and for the most part flawless. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Microsoft Update Catalog and ABC-Update, you can also consider the following products

WSUS Offline Update - Using "WSUS Offline Update" (formerly known as "ct offline update" or "DIY...

WHDownloader - A lightweight and easy to use Downloader which allows you to find and apply the latest Microsoft Windows updates....

AutoPatcher - AutoPatcher is an offline updater and alternative to Microsoft Update that can be used for...

WuInstall - WuInstall is a command line tool that makes it possible to install Windows Updates on demand.

Batchpatch - Stop dreading Microsoft’s Patch Tuesday every month and finally take control of your patching...

SolarWinds Patch Manager - SolarWinds Patch Manager is an intuitive patch management software for quickly addressing software vulnerabilities.