You cannot run windows update using Firefox since it uses ActiveX Controls which Firefox doesn't (and will never ever support). So yes, unfortunately you have to use IE to update Windows.

Thanks for your help. That is not what I wanted to hear so I will have to try to get IE 8 working again. How do other folks do updates? Does this mean that IE is absolutely necessary to maintain your windows system? Is this true for the newer versions of Windows, 7 or 8?

Windows Vista and above use a standalone updater that doesn't require a visit to a website (which incidentally, you can also use in XP by enabling automatic updates.

IE Is also bundled with Windows and can't be removed, so it's pretty much a fact of life.

I always run with auto update on and that works just fine. What I was trying to do after reinstalling IE 8 for the 3rd time, was to install it, then use Windows update to get the necessary fixes installed for IE 8 since after I reinstall I get the runtime error. Thinking that maybe there is a bug that has a fix I could use Firefox to do the Windows update to get the reinstalled IE 8 to the latest fix level. I can't use IE to go to Windows update since it immediately gives me a runtime error. Between a rock and a hard place I guess. Either that or I may consider going to Windows 8 if my PC can handle it. I appreciate your help. Thank you