Windows Update, an internal tool present in the general configuration of any version of Microsoft, is the preferred method of updating Windows. But he is not the only one and in some situations not even the best..

Imagine having to update your computer without internet access. How do you access Windows Update, which is still an online tool? Obviously that’s not possible. And there are other situations where alternatives are needed; For example, when you want to apply the same update to several computers, when updates have been delayed (recommended to avoid errors) and now want to be installed, and in general when you are looking for more control.

This is where this ‘Catalog’ comes in, a service where we can find security updates and quality updates published for Windows operating systems, both client and server versions, and for all hardware architectures where available.

How the Microsoft Update Catalog works

The method is as simple as accessing the official website from any browser, downloading the one we are interested in and installing it. As follows:

• Access to the catalog.
• Find the update you’re interested in by the “KB” described by Microsoft in the updates it publishes. As an example, let’s look at the first cumulative quality update for Windows 11 of the year, which corresponds to KB5034123.
• All available versions of the update, x86 or ARM, 32-bit, 64-bit, or Windows Server versions will be displayed.

• Download the one you are interested in and select the destination folder where it will be saved.

The file is of type .msu from the installation package Standalone Microsoft Update package. In the example shown, it is quite large (800 Mbytes) because it is a cumulative update to improve the quality of the software.

Once the file is downloaded, it can be saved to an external storage drive, transferred and the update installed on any computer. Your installation It’s as simple as any Windows executable.

• Double-click the downloaded .msu file.
• Depending on your user account settings, you may receive a security warning.

• Grant permission and the installer will check for system updates and versions.

• If supported, it will simply ask you for permission to continue. If it is not compatible or already installed, it will return an appropriate warning.

From there, the installer updates the appropriate version of Windows. Updating Windows using the Microsoft Update catalog is as simple as we’ve described. Works with all Microsoft operating systems and it is very useful for the above use cases, issues with Windows Update, corporate networks, updating third party devices or when we don’t have an internet connection.