How To Have Windows Update Check Against Microsoft Update Servers in Windows 10

Question

_{Tuesday, August 11, 2015 3:36 AM}

On previous versions of Windows, when accessing Windows Update on a domain network, I had the option to "Check online for updates from Microsoft Update" instead of using the default approach of checking against the internal update server. How can one check against the Microsoft Update servers in Windows 10?

Thanks!

All replies (7)

_{Tuesday, August 18, 2015 3:36 AM ✅Answered}

My mistake - I realized that on my reference Windows 10 computer, I had uninstalled the System Center client and hence there was no secondary source for the computer to reference. After reinstalling the System Center client, I now see an option called Check online for updates from Microsoft Update:

I did find though that after selecting the checkbox for Check online for updates from Microsoft Update and then clicking Check for updates, it immediately unchecks the checkbox, so it isn't clear whether the result is referencing the local update server, or the Microsoft Update server.

In any case, my original question has been answered.  Thanks for your time.

_{Tuesday, August 11, 2015 3:57 PM}

Go to Settings | Updates & Security | Windows Update page. Go to Advanced Options link, go to Choose how updates are delivered link. Toggle the switch to "Off", now you should only get your updates from Microsoft.

_{Wednesday, August 12, 2015 12:25 PM}

Hi,

For missing online update checking feature, please check if you have following policy is enabled:

Go to your Group Policy management console and navigate to Administrative Templates | System | Internet Communication Management | Internet Communication Settings

“Turn off access to all Windows Update features”  check whether it is Enabled.

Please remember to mark the replies as answers if they help, and unmark the answers if they provide no help. If you have feedback for TechNet Support, contact [email protected].

_{Thursday, August 13, 2015 12:36 AM}

Thanks for the reply Seth! This appears to correspond to the new peer to peer update mechanism.  Do you by any chance any references that show that this corresponds to using the internal WSUS/SCCM server vs the Microsoft Update server?

Thanks!

_{Thursday, August 13, 2015 3:20 AM}

Thanks for the reply Kate!  This option appears to correspond to non-Windows updates, for what I assume are things like Office updates (assuming we are using the MSI install).  What I was looking for is the option that in previous versions of Windows was called "Check online for updates from Microsoft Update" as shown below (bottom right corner of screenshot):

Can you please help me locate this option in Windows 10?

Thanks!

_{Wednesday, May 24, 2017 9:06 AM}

For missing online update checking feature, please check if you have following policy is enabled:

Go to your Group Policy management console and navigate to Administrative Templates | System | Internet Communication Management | Internet Communication Settings

“Turn off access to all Windows Update features”  check whether it is Enabled.

We have the same issue. Checked this setting, which is not set. We don't use SCCM. Windows 10 1607. The 'Check online...' isn't there?

Simon Weel

_{Monday, September 18, 2017 3:40 AM}

I have the same issue with, now, numerous clients and two workstations in my office.  Above setting is not configured and tried the disabled setting with no help.  Ran the troubleshooting tool in settings, said it found problems and corrected them, still no help.  Ran the Windows Update reset procedure, Stopped BITS, Crypto, WUAUSERV, etc.  Renamed software distribution folders (catroot2) - Still not help.  This is with Windows 10 - 64 Bit Professional with the Creators Update installed / Now can not even push updates via RMM tools and the option for 'Check For Updates' is NOT in settings.  Microsoft or somebody needs to address this issue quickly.