How can I be sure that the microsoft updates are real and safe?

Why does Microsoft supply outdated Windows 7 SP1 ISOs for free and legit download, when you can get 2012 integrated (latest updates) as a pirated release?

• Earlier, any Windows ISO Image was considered pirate software, now Microsoft and partners supply direct download links to Windows 7 SP1 ISOs for free, but they are not updated with latest updates as 'default' for no particular reason ? This question has nagged me all morning, I can't understand why Microsoft has no interest in: A: Supplying their users with latest updates, and prevent them from fake updates through frameworks like EvilGrade- B: Saving the time it takes for an average computer to update, and especially older ones, that are most likely to switch to other operating systems if the process is too slow ! Is it because Microsoft only releases ISO's on each Service Pack ? Why not create a new ISO now that there are at least 60-80 updates available and several reboots required for a fully updated system ? LINK: http://www.mydigitallife.info/download-windows-7-iso-official-32-bit-and-64-bit-direct-download-links/ Latest Build w/ SP1: 7601 SP1, shown by winver command in cmd. (Start > cmd) / (Start > Run > cmd) ^^ Legit Download Links Only concern, on forums it seems the -BIE group that released the pirated March 2012 integrated release has a bad reputation. Why, I don't know. Maybe they are nuked on pre db?

• Answer:

  The reason for moving to ISOs is that many newer machines like tablets, ultrabooks and netbooks do not have optical drives. Hence, Windows must be installed off a USB drive. Microsoft does nothing about fake pirated ISOs because people having bad experiences with them are more likely to buy original licences next time. Additionally, trying to stop piracy would be next to impossible. Every software is cracked eventually. Once a company starts shifting focus onto building the next version of the product (ie. Windows 8), it is no longer in their interest to spend resources (time, money, personnel) on the old version. In fact, it is in their interest to push people towards the new version. They no longer have an incentive to provide the best possible experience to users of the old version. They still provide security and performance updates. They simply do not bother to collate them together into a service pack. Whatever Microsoft's other faults, one has to give them a lot of credit for not just abandoning their old products. Windows 98 and XP were both supported for 8 years after release, and by the time XP reaches the end of its extended support period, it will have been 13 years since release.