Automatically Installing Previously Downloaded Updates (WXP-Pro)

[AmateurSysTech]

Hi.

Could someone help me with an idea that I have?

After re-installing XP I reinstall all of the updates previously downloaded from 'Windows Update Catalog'

Could someone point me in a direction which would enable me to write a batch file or script which would run them all and reboot the pc afterwards.

Along with the switches which will disable the request to restart the pc, I will need to know whether there are any special commands which are needed other than the references to the updater files. (I rename the updates to the KB no. it refers to only. i.e. 837009.exe 831167.exe)


I am a Windows XP user that knows more about Windows PC's than many around me, and as so I am often called upon to help them with their problems as the professional support in my area is untrustworthy. It also never hurts to learn more tho'

[monkey_1]

<a target="_blank" href=http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;296861>Click here</a>


<font color=orange>Mono</font color=orange>

[smarttmelanie]

If you already have the updates downloaded, you can write a batch file like the one below. the norestart switch willl not restart and the passive switch will show the installation to the user but will not ask for intervention. The wait switch will wait until the first patch is installed before moving to the next one.

title Windows XP Security Update
@echo off
start /wait \\computername\sharename\qchain.exe /q
start /wait \\computername\sharename\winxp011.exe /passive /norestart
start /wait \\computername\sharename\winxp012.exe /passive /norestart
start /wait \\computername\sharename\winxp014.exe /passive /norestart
start /wait \\computername\sharename\qchain.exe /q

[AmateurSysTech]

Thanks Smartmelanie & monkey_1

You both have been helpful. unfortunately, the switches /wait /passive & /norestart aren't recognized by XP. and it seems, that some of latest windows updates don't have the /z (don't restart) switch enabled.

I am a Windows XP user that knows more about Windows PC's than many around me, and as so I am often called upon to help them with their problems as the professional support in my area is untrustworthy. It also never hurts to learn more tho' <P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by AmateurSysTech on 05/05/04 18:06.</FONT></P>

[smarttmelanie]

I have used that exact batch files on tons of XP machines and it worked perfectly. Good luck!

[AmateurSysTech]

Here is a sample batch file

title test program
start /wait "\\paul\c:\xp pro udpates\qchain.exe" /q
start /wait "\\paul\c:\xp pro updates\016-837009\837009.exe" /passive /norestart
start /wait "\\paul\c:\xp pro updates\qchain.exe" /q


And here is the response from a CMD.exe window.

C:\&gt;title test program

C:\&gt;start /wait "\\paul\c:\xp pro udpates\qchain.exe" /q
Invalid switch - "/q".

C:\&gt;start /wait "\\paul\c:\xp pro updates\016-837009\837009.exe" /passive /norestart
Invalid switch - "/passive".

C:\&gt;start /wait "\\paul\c:\xp pro updates\qchain.exe" /q
Invalid switch - "/q".
C:\&gt;

Any Ideas?

I am a Windows XP user that knows more about Windows PC's than many around me, and as so I am often called upon to help them with their problems as the professional support in my area is untrustworthy. It also never hurts to learn more tho'

[AmateurSysTech]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I have used that exact batch files on tons of XP machines and it worked perfectly. Good luck!

<hr></blockquote>
Have you checked that it did, the window came and went so quick that you couldn't see what it had to say.

Although running it through the command prompt threw up a stream of errors

I am a Windows XP user that knows more about Windows PC's than many around me, and as so I am often called upon to help them with their problems as the professional support in my area is untrustworthy. It also never hurts to learn more tho'

[AmateurSysTech]

Here is the batch file that I have got to work.
[Folder structure is C:\XP Pro Updates\....] {batch file placed inside C:\XP Pro Updates}

qchain.exe
.\Critical\16-837009\837009.exe /q
.\Critical\17-831167\831167.exe /q
.\Critical\18-837001\837001.exe /q
.\Critical\19-828741\828741.exe /q
.\Critical\20-835732\835732.exe /q
qchain.exe"

all the 'START /WAIT' command ever did was open a new command window and wait for input.


I am a Windows XP user that knows more about Windows PC's than many around me, and as so I am often called upon to help them with their problems as the professional support in my area is untrustworthy. It also never hurts to learn more tho'