Windows Update Catalog - Auto-deploy

Slid

Member
Jul 5, 2004
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Yesterday I downloaded all of the critical updates for Windows XP so I can install them on new computers that I build at work. The problem is that each update is neatly tucked away in its own directory. In the root of the directory is an XML file that contains information about each update (including their paths).

Is there any program or batch file that I can run that will automatically plow through each update so that I don't have to manually select each one?

If there isn't I'll just make my own program to do it but no sense in doing that if it alreayd exists :)

Thanks all.
 

dclive

Elite Member
Oct 23, 2003
5,626
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Originally posted by: Slid
Yesterday I downloaded all of the critical updates for Windows XP so I can install them on new computers that I build at work. The problem is that each update is neatly tucked away in its own directory. In the root of the directory is an XML file that contains information about each update (including their paths).

Is there any program or batch file that I can run that will automatically plow through each update so that I don't have to manually select each one?

If there isn't I'll just make my own program to do it but no sense in doing that if it alreayd exists :)

Thanks all.

Given that you mention it's at work, you can do a few things:

1. Download the updates individually. You can go to Windows Update and there's an advanced section where you can download each update, and then from there you can make simple batch scripts to deploy all of them on whatever machines you want.

2. You can use SUS (software update services) from Microsoft to deploy updates. This is by far the easiest way. Put SUS on your server and you'll never have to manage patch deployment (critical updates and service packs only) again. It's great! You can manage it easily via group policy too.

I suggest #2. :)
 

dclive

Elite Member
Oct 23, 2003
5,626
2
81
Originally posted by: mrbass
for windowsxp there is autopatcherxp http://www.autopatcher.com
also for win2000 there is 2 simple batch files on a cd on my site http://www.mrbass.org

<shudder> Manually? SUS, baby!

*Totally* automatic updates for ALL of your machines you configure, for now and forever, with NO upkeep required (aside from specifying the updates you want to install, in ONE place, for your machines.) *No* manual intervention required.