Fiddler trace activity, shows download.windowsupdate.com

I wanted to understand better why there were bunch of request from download.windowsupdate.com, found in the fiddler trace. these were mostly msdownload/update/others/...
I try my best to keep things under control when it comes to windows update. I am surprised seeing the activity, trying to narrow down and suspecting whether it may be with windows defender updates or something. Would anyone have any clue on what it may have been ?

Windows Update service is used as a delivery mechanism for several different Windows features:

Each of these requests will have a different URL path.

Since download.windowsupdate.com is an official Microsoft-owned site, it would make sense that Windows is trying to access it in order to check if any updates are available.

I will tak

garlin said:

Windows Update service is used as a delivery mechanism for several different Windows features:

- Monthly KB updates​

- Defender platform (engine) updates every month​

- Defender signature updates every day​

- Driver updates (when a new device is discovered, but doesn't have any driver support)​

- Background updates of Store apps​

- Some Office products​

Each of these requests will have a different URL path.

Click to expand...

Thanks, suspecting that it may be the defender or the Microsoft store. I have to verify, since KB updates are paused. I think some ways debloating the windows 11 paid off, or else I would be seeing more activities.

Btw, does O&O ShutUp10++ still works or should I stay away ? I gave it a try in windows 10 but it was okay

There's separate reg keys for:
- Disabling automatic updates of Store apps
- Disabling WU driver updates

You can't disable Defender signature updates from WU, it must be done using a PowerShell cmdlet (Set-MpPreference) and changing the schedule so it effectively never polls for new signatures.

I don't use O&O, so can't comment on how well it works. W10 and 11 use the same WU settings.