Microsoft Update has become VERY slow

When I go to the Microsoft Update website to check for updates (I have to
check for updates for Windows XP, Office 2003, SQL Server, and Visual Studio
2005), it seems much slower than it used to. When I go there, I usually
select Custom because I not only like to see what updates are being
downloaded, but I usually like to get most of the updates from the optional
software and hardware categories as well as the high priority updates. I
never actually timed how long it takes after clicking the Custom button, but
I could probably walk to the end of the street and back before it finishes.
I have not noticed a decrease in speed for anything else that uses the
Internet. Has anybody else noticed an increase in how long Microsoft Update
takes? Is there anything on my computer that might be causing this? My
computer uses the following:

Windows XP Professional SP2
Internet Explorer 6.0
Verizon Online DSL
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Nathan Sokalski

http://www.nathansokalski.com/