Managing Windows Updates

Hey All,
After reading several posts about the new windows update service I thought this freeware utility would possibly be of interest. So here it is:

http://ovacia.amicom.ru/wutool_eng.html

Rockit

 

Great Find Rockit, thanks. Handy to have when downloads not available on the Catalog site.

Always looking for ways to get around MS's rules

Regards - Charles

 

Ok, here's the deal:

Unzip the WUTools folder in a location of your choosing. This is a simple execute, it does not "register" to Windows.

The .exe will create a shortcut to a location of your choosing.

When running, the program asks where do you want to locate WUTool's folder which in turn will contain the MS download, uses an explorer type window to do that. I chose \Downloads\

Also asks whether to initiate Windows Update - the update thru the start menu.

I chose one update using the "custom" setting in the update site. Everything proceeds normally. At the end of the download phase, WUTools has the update in it's folder - can be moved from there, I have folders for MS updates.

It can be installed from there via the WUTools window or just allow it to install.

In other words, its as if I downloaded a MS Update from the Catalog site.

Considerations: In order for this to work w/o installing - you either have to have Auto Updates disabled - that means thru the Services, not just the Panel setting, or you must have the ability to intercept and stop wuauclt.exe (Johanna's favorite MS program ) which will initiate the install process. If you want to install at the same time, then that's ok.

WUTools will also pick up installs where left off if interrupted - but I think v5 has that ability as well.

Regards - Charles

EDIT: AU Service has to be running otherwise can't get into the update site.

The irony is I just got the notification that SP2 is there

 

Have done some more thinking about this.

For most people, the best AU setting would be the Notify before downloading - at that point, you'll know where the file is downloading to, and Notify when ready to install, choosing the time to install thru WUTools.

I also changed where I have my download folder for SP2 and post SP2 updates. Set up a "Post SP2" folder with the WUTools folder inside of that. From there I can burn them out.

Regards - Charles

 

My really quick reaction is that this WUTools program does not offer much over the Windows Catalog site
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog/en/default.asp
I notice the WUTools site description says that downloads of Windows Updates cannot be saved. Of course, that is not so if you use the Catalog site.

 

Hi Jim,

I did save one - it sticks around after the update - actually hard to get rid of once you copy it to another folder.

Just decided to keep it in the WUTools folder under the Post SP2 folder that I established.

My main motivation is to know where SP2 will be so I can burn it out w/o trying to find it as I see so many doing.

Keep you posted on how it works.

Regards - Charles

 

Jim,

Could you point out where the site description says that. They do say that about Windows updates, and this tool is for getting around that.

Form the site:

WUtooL will solve a problem. Launch program and click menu File >> Windows Update. WUtooL controls download and will save the patches to the special folder on your hard drive. Update operating with this program becomes very handy and simple.

It does sound stilted, doesn't it

Regards - Charles

EDIT: Jim, I think I was getting punchy last night, missing the point you were making. Sure, will keep using the Catalog site for the downloads. Have run across some updates that MS didn't have there though.

 

charlesvar--The second sentence, second paragraph at the WUTools site says " Microsoft Corporation doesn't allow user to save updates on local drive - they are immediately removed after installation. "
This is true for downloads and installation from Windows Update, but I believe not for downloads from the Catalog site, which I understand is for IT people who need to do numerous installations. However, I have never downloaded and installed anything from Catalog.
P.S. (The WUTools site is written by a Russian, so some language is stilted.)
P.P.S. I guess you know that eventually MS will offer to ship a free CD with SP2--I presume the full 220MB--whereas what you download from Windows Updates is supposedly tailored for each PC. See
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx
Supposed to be available today but if you try, you will be told to come back.