There is a program called HTTPTunnel which allows you to use a proxy for most applications - there is a free version which offers very poor speeds, and a subscription service that offers faster proxies. I mention this because it works for more than just web browsers, and may be what you need.

Still, accessing the windows update site through any USA based proxy server might be all you need as a work around for your problem.

I do agree though, having just gotten back home myself, it feels really good to not have Google or webmail default to a different language!