The release of CU 9 is still being finalized, so please be assured that you have not missed our release announcement.  Please also know that as part of our process, this website will be updated on the release day of CU9.  

Windows Update \ Microsoft Update is a release vehicle that is primarily focused on more widely distributed releases.  This would include service packs and security bulletins, but does not include cumulative updates as of today.  If you are providing feedback as one of our customers that you feel you would like this to be a more widely distributable release; I can pass your feedback on through the appropriate channels.

Please feel free to use the following KB article to track the cumulative update releases: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/937137.   When CU9 is released, the CU9 KB article will be published at the top of this list.  From the CU9 KB article, there is a new “auto service” button at the top of the KB that allows you to directly request the CU9 package by simply providing a valid email address.  Bob Ward from our CSS group recently wrote a concise blog on exactly how this system works and what to expect, which can be found at the following location: http://blogs.msdn.com/psssql/archive/2008/04/25/sql-server-2005-sp3-and-self-service-hotfixes.aspx.  

Chris Williams

Program Manager

SQL Server Sustained Engineering