I wanted to access the Microsoft Update Catalog at http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Thanks.aspx?id=120, which apparently requires Internet Explorer. (If I try it from another browser, it says to use IE.) On going there from IE11, it says “To use this website, you(r) browser must have the user data persistence setting enabled”. On checking that setting, I found that it is already enabled. Tried disabling and re-enabling it a few times, restarting IE each time, but it made no difference. The site continues to return the same error. I would like to be able to access the MS Update Catalog, so what is wrong?
![]() |
Patch reliability is unclear, but widespread attacks make patching prudent. Go ahead and patch, but watch out for potential problems. |
SIGN IN | Not a member? | REGISTER | PLUS MEMBERSHIP |
-
Cannot access the Microsoft Update Catalog
Home » Forums » AskWoody support » Windows » Windows – other » Cannot access the Microsoft Update Catalog
- This topic has 14 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 9 years, 1 month ago.
Viewing 12 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
RockE
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 25, 2016 at 11:10 am #1553475I’m not sure but perhaps you should be using IE to open this page:
http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Install.aspxHope that helps.
Image or Clone often! Backup, backup, backup, backup......
- - - - -
Home Built: Windows 10 Home 64-bit, AMD Athlon II X3 435 CPU, 16GB RAM, ASUSTeK M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3 (AM3) motherboard, 512GB SanDisk SSD, 3 TB WD HDD, 1024MB ATI AMD RADEON HD 6450 video, ASUS VE278 (1920x1080) display, ATAPI iHAS224 Optical Drive, integrated Realtek HD Audio -
wavy
AskWoody Plus -
martins2
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 25, 2016 at 6:30 pm #1553597Thanks for the replies, but no joy so far. When I open the link provided by RockE, using IE11, it says “To use this Web site’s full functionality, you must be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or later”, then tells me how to upgrade to the latest version. I don’t get any prompt about ActiveX – how do I check if this is set correctly?
-
joep517
AskWoody MVP -
martins2
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 26, 2016 at 5:11 pm #1553779I have done that, for both aspects of the problem, but I have no idea of what will happen next, if anything. Incidentally, I could not find “Send a problem report” under Help. What I used was Tools > “Report website problems”.
Interested to know if the problem is with the website, or in IE, or local to my PC. Does anyone else get the same errors?
-
WSSudo
AskWoody Lounger -
martins2
AskWoody Lounger -
Berton
AskWoody_MVPMarch 1, 2016 at 3:47 pm #1554312Interesting ….. When I put RockE’s link into IE11, it still says that I have to use IE6 or later. Could it be that my IE11 is not reporting its status or correct version?
I’ve had the same problem today with Win7 and Win10, both running IE11. I get it with Firefox but that’s to be expected, many Microsoft pages/sites won’t allow other browsers that compete with their IE.
Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"
-
WSSudo
AskWoody LoungerFebruary 29, 2016 at 2:33 am #1554021If IE isn’t giving you any other problems then it’s probably working okay, but as a benchmark see if resetting it to defaults makes any difference.
You could also try the site in Compatibility Mode.
Following a factory reset once, I was unable to access a MS website because my Silverlight was out of date, although it did tell me that so that probably isn’t your problem, but just thought I’d mention it.
LHuisingh
AskWoody LoungerMarch 1, 2016 at 11:08 am #1554290WSHarryD
AskWoody LoungerLHuisingh
AskWoody LoungerMarch 1, 2016 at 6:25 pm #1554335On my Win7 machine when I use the link http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Thanks.aspx?id=120 I am now getting the message about Security settings as mentioned by others. However, I already have the Userdata Persistence set to Enable.
If I go to http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/Search.aspx?q=windows where I am searching for the term “Windows” I can see a list of updates from which I can add individual items to my “basket”.
martins2
AskWoody LoungerMarch 10, 2016 at 12:03 am #1555466Some interesting ideas here, especially the last two posts. Up to now I have been trying it with IE not being my default browser (I usually use Firefox). In this scenario, even when using IE11, I get the message that I should use IE6 or newer. When I (temporarily) make IE11 my default browser, it does not complain about the browser, so evidently it looks at what the default browser is. But then I get the message saying that user data persistence has to be enabled. On checking this, it is already enabled, so I think this is a false message which really refers to something else – but I have no idea what. Activex was mentioned earlier; I have all those settings set to “enable” or “prompt”, so that should work. Probably there’s some other arcane setting similar to “default browser”, which is preventing the connection. Any more ideas?
By the way, I also uninstalled IE11, downloaded a fresh copy of the installer, and installed it again. Back up and running, and up to date except for this month’s patch (KB3139929, which I have re-applied) but it made no difference (user data persistence enabled by default).
CADesertRat
AskWoody PlusMarch 10, 2016 at 12:54 pm #1555529IE 11 is set as my default browser although I use Chrome 99% of the time. I went directly to http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/site/home.aspx on IE 11 yesterday ( on my W7 computer ) and searched for and D/L’ed a number of the March updates. No muss/no fuss.
Don't take yourself so seriously, no one else does 🙂
All W10 Pro at 22H2,(2 Desktops, 1 Laptop).Viewing 12 reply threads -

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments.
Get Plus!
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 11, Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.
Search Newsletters
Search Forums
View the Forum
Search for Topics
Recent Topics
-
Steps to take before updating to 24H2
by
Susan Bradley
2 hours, 19 minutes ago -
Which Web browser is the most secure for 2025?
by
B. Livingston
2 hours, 20 minutes ago -
Replacing Skype
by
Peter Deegan
2 hours, 21 minutes ago -
FileOptimizer — Over 90 tools working together to squish your files
by
Deanna McElveen
2 hours, 22 minutes ago -
Excel Macro — ask for filename to be saved
by
nhsj
5 hours, 45 minutes ago -
Trying to backup Win 10 computer to iCloud
by
SheltieMom
1 day, 2 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26200.5570 released to DEV
by
joep517
1 day, 16 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 26120.3941 (24H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22635.5305 (23H2) released to BETA
by
joep517
1 day, 18 hours ago -
No April cumulative update for Win 11 23H2?
by
Peobody
6 hours, 26 minutes ago -
AugLoop.All (TEST Augmentation Loop MSIT)
by
LarryK
1 day, 18 hours ago -
Boot Sequence for Dell Optiplex 7070 Tower
by
Serge Carniol
2 days, 10 hours ago -
OTT Upgrade Windows 11 to 24H2 on Unsupported Hardware
by
bbearren
2 days, 13 hours ago -
Inetpub can be tricked
by
Susan Bradley
21 hours, 2 minutes ago -
How merge Outlook 2016 .pst file w/into newly created Outlook 2024 install .pst?
by
Tex265
1 day, 7 hours ago -
FBI 2024 Internet Crime Report
by
Alex5723
2 days, 17 hours ago -
Perplexity CEO says its browser will track everything users do online
by
Alex5723
2 hours, 27 minutes ago -
Login issues with Windows Hello
by
CWBillow
3 days, 4 hours ago -
How to get into a manual setup screen in 2024 Outlook classic?
by
Tex265
2 days, 16 hours ago -
Linux : ARMO rootkit “Curing”
by
Alex5723
3 days, 16 hours ago -
Employee monitoring app leaks 21 million screenshots in real time
by
Alex5723
3 days, 16 hours ago -
Google AI is now hallucinating idioms
by
Alex5723
3 days, 16 hours ago -
april update
by
69800
1 day, 20 hours ago -
Windows 11 Insider Preview build 27842 released to Canary
by
joep517
3 days, 17 hours ago -
Quick Fix for Slowing File Explorer
by
Drcard:))
3 days, 17 hours ago -
WuMgr not loading?
by
LHiggins
2 days, 13 hours ago -
Word crashes when accessing Help
by
CWBillow
3 hours, 42 minutes ago -
New Microsoft Nag — Danger! Danger! sign-in to your Microsoft Account
by
EricB
3 days, 17 hours ago -
Blank Inetpub folder
by
Susan Bradley
3 days, 14 hours ago -
Google : Extended Repair Program for Pixel 7a
by
Alex5723
4 days, 3 hours ago
Recent blog posts
Key Links
Want to Advertise in the free newsletter? How about a gift subscription in honor of a birthday? Send an email to sb@askwoody.com to ask how.
Mastodon profile for DefConPatch
Mastodon profile for AskWoody
Home • About • FAQ • Posts & Privacy • Forums • My Account
Register • Free Newsletter • Plus Membership • Gift Certificates • MS-DEFCON Alerts
Copyright ©2004-2025 by AskWoody Tech LLC. All Rights Reserved.