How do you fellows perform Windows Updates?

[katz]

After a clean install, there are hundreds (or more) of updates that require interaction such as rebooting, clicking next, etc. Also, many updates install separately forcing me to continually check for more.

I've put over half a day into downloading/installing updates for Vista Home 32 bit.

Even after SP2 (or later) is installed, there seems to be many more top download that is not included in the Services packs.

Am I missing something here? Is there a faster/better way to do this that I am not aware of?


I had read on another forum that the command line tool "WuInstall" will do all of this automatically. I have not tried it yet - is that the way to go?

 

[nlinecomputers]

http://www.wsusoffline.net/

 

[PCX]

I slipstream them into our installation disks every so many months. I also have an automated script that will automatically install all drivers and automatically reboot when done to completely the installation. After that, I finish up with ninite, the few remaining updates that are not slipstreamed and run driver genius for any drive updates that may remain. In all, I can get Vista install in about 1.5 hours with everything done. I have not bothered doing this with 7 yet since the install process is still pretty fast, although it wont be long before I will either have to or before they release an ISO with SP2.

 

[JustInspired]

I've been trying to get wsusoffline working properly for weeks now. It builds the ISO and fills the USB drive OK but when I go to use it most of the updates are missing. It installs DirectX, Dot Net and Windows Installer stuff and then says it can't find the hundred or so security updates etc.
I've tried with clean installs of both Vista and XP.
Given up on it for the time being.

 

[Xander]

http://www.wsusoffline.net/

The generator seems to get it 'almost' up-to-date. Usually, I find there are a handful missing but that's next to nothing compared to what I would have had to install myself.

 

[Bankie]

I LOVE YOU GUYS!

I wish I could take that case that ate up my entire Saturday back now. Dude handed me a disk and key to Windows Vista when he brought in the laptop. Said it was 7 on the phone.

 

[glricht]

I've been trying to get wsusoffline working properly for weeks now. It builds the ISO and fills the USB drive OK but when I go to use it most of the updates are missing. It installs DirectX, Dot Net and Windows Installer stuff and then says it can't find the hundred or so security updates etc.
I've tried with clean installs of both Vista and XP.
Given up on it for the time being.

When you run UpdateGenerator.exe, don't check any of the ISO or USB options. It will then simply d/l all the files and save them in the wsusoffline folder. We keep a copy of this folder on the shop server and also copy it to a USB flash drive that we take with us when going onsite.

From the PC needing the updates: open the "wsusoffline" folder, then open the "client" folder, then execute "UpdateInstaller.exe". Sit back and watch!

 

[cypress]

http://www.wsusoffline.net/

I use this as well, really love it when doing on site work.

 

[JustInspired]

When you run UpdateGenerator.exe, don't check any of the ISO or USB options. It will then simply d/l all the files and save them in the wsusoffline folder. We keep a copy of this folder on the shop server and also copy it to a USB flash drive that we take with us when going onsite.

From the PC needing the updates: open the "wsusoffline" folder, then open the "client" folder, then execute "UpdateInstaller.exe". Sit back and watch!

Thanks will give it another go.

 

[katz]

I've been trying to get wsusoffline working properly for weeks now. It builds the ISO and fills the USB drive OK but when I go to use it most of the updates are missing. It installs DirectX, Dot Net and Windows Installer stuff and then says it can't find the hundred or so security updates etc.
I've tried with clean installs of both Vista and XP.
Given up on it for the time being.

This is one of the reasons that I don't use it anymore. In the past when I did use WSUS, it would always seem to miss a lot which I had to go back & get manually.

The last time I used it was maybe a year ago. Maybe I will give it another go.

 

[bertie40]

Wsusoffline isn't designed to be a complete solution.

BUT it does most of it. It supplies the major updates and a large number of minor ones.

It does not install driver updates or many of the optional ones

As suggested, just save the downloads onto a drive and take it with you.

Even though it says it can perform updates and automatically reboot, sometimes this fails so its still worth keeping an eye on it.