I have a simple solution that has worked for me so far to bypass the validation failure and regain Windows Updates.

Go to Windows Update site. Install the Windows Genuine Advantage component. After installing and continuing to validate your Windows version and failing, go to Tools Menu and Manage Add-Ons and find the Windows Genuine Advantage name and select DISABLE in the settings below. Believe it or not you can now do custom or express updates again!! Don't know what they will do next but this is working on my machines.

Wackyass