Install updates, reboot, repeat till done?

[Xander]

I'd like to have another program up my sleeve for when I come across a PC that's way out of date and I'm either onsite or remote. I'd like to find something that will basically do the same thing WSUSoffline does -- update, reboot, lather, rinse, repeat until fully updated.

This way, when I'm done, I could just start that program and disconnect while it finishes up.

Anyone know of a program that does this?

 

[Vicenarian]

Not totally sure, but I did find some info here you could browse through:

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16180265/automatically-update-windows-fully

http://www.sysadminsoftware.com/udc.html

 

[mraikes]

Is WSUSoffline not doing this for you? I use it for that exact thing, except for those updates that require a manual reboot & recall.


EDIT: Or do you mean non-Windows updates? Something more along the lines of Patchmypc, but with auto reboot & recall?

 

[Xander]

I use WSUSoffline when it's on my workbench but, obviously, I can't do that when I'm onsite or remote. I want an option for when the only thing left is to bring it fully up-to-date so I can start up that process and walk away/disconnect.

So, yeah, a little more PatchmyPC-ish with the ability to loop until done.

 

[mraikes]

I use WSUSoffline when it's on my workbench but, obviously, I can't do that when I'm onsite or remote. I want an option for when the only thing left is to bring it fully up-to-date so I can start up that process and walk away/disconnect.

I have it installed on an external drive. Works perfectly well for offsite work. Connect the drive, launch the update installer, etc. It would work just like it does on your workbench.

 

[AndyM]

I have it installed on an external drive. Works perfectly well for offsite work. Connect the drive, launch the update installer, etc. It would work just like it does on your workbench.

This, or if you want to leave the PC running the updates while you go back to the office, you could just copy the ISO into a local folder, and mount it using http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-magicdisc-overview.htm

When the machine reboots, the ISO will be mounted when Windows starts. You could then remote into it, and dismount the ISO and uninstall MagicDisc, or even write a script to uninstall when WSUSOffline completes.

Andy

 

[Xander]

I have it installed on an external drive. Works perfectly well for offsite work. Connect the drive, launch the update installer, etc. It would work just like it does on your workbench.

Which is fine if I want to stay onsite and babysit my drive but, when I'm otherwise done, I would be taking that drive with me. Likewise, if I'm remote, there is no drive at play.

This, or if you want to leave the PC running the updates while you go back to the office, you could just copy the ISO into a local folder, and mount it using http://www.magiciso.com/tutorials/miso-magicdisc-overview.htm

When the machine reboots, the ISO will be mounted when Windows starts. You could then remote into it, and dismount the ISO and uninstall MagicDisc, or even write a script to uninstall when WSUSOffline completes.

Problem with that is it wouldn't work when remote...at all. Plus, software installs shouldn't really be necessary. I'm just talking about letting their PC get its own updates and rebooting. I don't mind burning through a bit of their bandwidth since, in theory, they should have already made those downloads months ago.

 

[mraikes]

Which is fine if I want to stay onsite and babysit my drive but, when I'm otherwise done, I would be taking that drive with me. Likewise, if I'm remote, there is no drive at play.

Gotcha. Missed that you want to depart the onsite and leave behind whatever it is that would do this.

 

[Xander]

I don't know about you guys but it's not uncommon for me to leave a housecall and leave (e.g.) MBAM scanning, a defrag running, and WU doing its thing. I give them simple instructions for each and tell them to email me if anything unexpected comes up. There are other times the machine is so far out of date that it's the main priority and I'd rather let the PC focus on that task first and foremost.

 

[mraikes]

I'll leave a defrag running upon my departure, but none of the other things you mention. Particularly MBAM.

Too many opportunities for confusion and a customer feeling like I left before the job was actually done.

 

[AndyM]

Just came across this CLI over on another forum:

%windir%\system32\wuauclt.exe /detectnow

You could put it into a batch or something, to execute at startup or shutdown?

Andy

 

[Porthos]

Just came across this CLI over on another forum:

%windir%\system32\wuauclt.exe /detectnow

You could put it into a batch or something, to execute at startup or shutdown?

Andy

To add to this

http://www.sevenforums.com/windows-...there-command-line-force-check-up-update.html

I want that all important updates are installed as soon as they are available. That's why I have a batch file in all of my Vista and Seven machines (real and virtual ones) that I can launch when I want to shut down the computer, first checking available important updates and installing them. Doing this I know my systems are always updated.

I've placed a shortcut on desktop, and most often instead of choosing Shutdown from Start Menu, I just double click this shortcut to shut down the machine.

The batchfile:


%windir%\system32\wuauclt.exe /detectnow
shutdown -s

(this checks if important updates are available, and installs them if answer was yes, shutting then computer down first closing all apps)

 

[Xander]

wuauclt /detectnow does just that, though - detect. It doesn't install. I've used it in the past and currently use it in D7 to start up some (currently available) updates.

I've found this VBS script online. It doesn't, however, insert itself into the RunOnce (or anywhere) to ensure that it will run again (if it does, I can't see where). It's missing the "rinse repeat" part AND, worse, installs anything so on my machine, it wanted to install Bing Bar and Bing Desktop. YIKES.

[see attached file]

 

[gikstar]

Runs Unattended for Us!

I use WSUSoffline when it's on my workbench but, obviously, I can't do that when I'm onsite or remote. I want an option for when the only thing left is to bring it fully up-to-date so I can start up that process and walk away/disconnect.

So, yeah, a little more PatchmyPC-ish with the ability to loop until done.

I have no problem with WSUSoffline... I have a large USB with 3 instances of WSUS, one for XP, Vista and Windows 7 which I update on a monthly basis. I copy the appropriate one to the client's desktop, start the update telling it to reboot as needed and turn off when done or show the final text file, then leave. The only updates left to install are the latest ones. This works for me even it's the Windows 7 without SP1... it just runs until it has completed all of the updates.
If it's not working for you this way than you must be setting it up to run incorrectly.

Depending on the client, I might go to Ninite.com and download what I want to run on the computer, save the file to the desktop, and have the client run that later or I run it remotely, after WSUS has completed.

 

[Xander]

Gikstar, you are completely missing the point of this discussion. This is not about looking for a WSUSoffline alternative - it's about when the only thing left on a service call or a remote call is to do updates.

I am not asking for advice on how to use WSUSoffline better or how others use it. I already use it on my workbench and on service calls when there are only a few updates to be done.
THIS IS NOT WHAT THE THREAD IS ABOUT.

WSUSoffline is not appropriate because I am either not there with an external drive (e.g. it's a remote connection) OR I won't be leaving that external drive behind. Even if I am there on a service call, I don't think it's appropriate, personally, to copy 20GB of updates to their desktop. I have yet to work on a residential PC with USB3 so waiting 10-15 minutes for those files to copy over is not acceptable (even if I do have other tasks, that's time where I can't reboot if I need to or otherwise just a waste of CPU cycles that could be used for scans and such).

And what the heck does Ninite have to do with installing multiple reboots worth of Windows updates? Nothing, so please don't hijack this discussion with Ninite - it has nothing to do with anything here.

 

[gikstar]

20Gbs??? Really?

Gikstar, you are completely missing the point of this discussion. This is not about looking for a WSUSoffline alternative - it's about when the only thing left on a service call or a remote call is to do updates.

I am not asking for advice on how to use WSUSoffline better or how others use it. I already use it on my workbench and on service calls when there are only a few updates to be done.
THIS IS NOT WHAT THE THREAD IS ABOUT.

WSUSoffline is not appropriate because I am either not there with an external drive (e.g. it's a remote connection) OR I won't be leaving that external drive behind. Even if I am there on a service call, I don't think it's appropriate, personally, to copy 20GB of updates to their desktop. I have yet to work on a residential PC with USB3 so waiting 10-15 minutes for those files to copy over is not acceptable (even if I do have other tasks, that's time where I can't reboot if I need to or otherwise just a waste of CPU cycles that could be used for scans and such).

And what the heck does Ninite have to do with installing multiple reboots worth of Windows updates? Nothing, so please don't hijack this discussion with Ninite - it has nothing to do with anything here.

Well, you don't have to take my advice and just because you posted the question doesn't mean that only you will read this and receive benefit from mine or others who post, what we think may be helpful.
Now I will tale a second and correct your remark about copying 20Gbs of updates, just for the benefit of others who may be reading this forum...
My WSUS update for Windows XP that I have dated November 24, 2013 is 1.27Gbs and my Windows 7 (32 & 64 bit) is 3.84 Gbs.
Hijacking your thread by mentioning Ninite... really!
That cold weather must be getting to you, it was in the 70's here today and I'm feeling GOOD!

 

[GEGeek]

I found all the info/points made in this thread useful.
Here's a script that might be what you are looking for. It's not perfect, but another alternative just the same you can play with.
VB Script to Check, Download, and Install Windows Updates from Microsoft
Verified on Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP
Last Updated 7/18/2012

 

[HankArnold]

WSUS on an external drive. I like it!

I have it installed on an external drive. Works perfectly well for offsite work. Connect the drive, launch the update installer, etc. It would work just like it does on your workbench.

Very cool. I'll have to try it. Thanks

Hank Arnold (Microsoft MVP)

 

[Tekguy]

I found an AutoIt script that does just what the OP wants. I ran it on a fresh install of Windows 7 in a VM & it installed over 100 updates, rebooted then checked for more updates & installed them.

You need to disable UAC temporarily for it to work totally unattended though.

There is even a line of code near the beginning for exclusions such as the Bing Bar, Windows Live Essentials, etc.

http://www.autoitscript.com/forum/topic/78880-automatic-updates-tool/page-2#entry1113156