14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft Update Catalog Beta is designed to act as a one-stop location for delivering software updates, drivers and hotfixes for the company's products. According to the official definition of the service, Microsoft intends that the MU Catalog beta be used so that updates be distributed over corporate networks.
"The MU Catalog represents a replacement to the existing WU Catalog, and what we hope will be a big step forward for both usability and functionality. In addition to being able to search for updates and download them to your file system, we are also providing integration with Windows Server Update Services 3.0 and Microsoft System Center Essentials. Both of these products provide links that will enable importing updates directly into WSUS 3.0 or System Center Essentials from the MU Catalog. This is especially useful for important content not typically synched down by either of these products (e.g. Drivers)," revealed a Program Manger with the Microsoft Update team.
The Microsoft Update Catalog Beta comes with a streamlined and intuitive interface that enables virtually any user to search for and find updates, drivers and hotfixes for a range of Microsoft products. Via MU Catalog, the users can create a list of updates for a variety of products by using the Ad to Basket option. All the updates in the basket can be downloaded simultaneously, and a window will guide the users through the download process.
Microsoft's recommendation is that non-corporate users stick to automatic updating or the Microsoft Update website and leave the MU Catalog for the big boys. Additionally, the company did point out that the service was still in beta stage in order to compensate for any functionality issues.