Windows Update Batch File Install -- Switches

Josh

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Dec 18, 2003, 5:15:05 PM12/18/03

to

I am in the process of setting up a system here at work in
which all the updates are initially installed via batch
file. I download all the updates, and have them all. I am
in need of some info on the switches that can be used and
some differences between update types, if applicable.

Thanks in advance,
Josh

Torgeir Bakken (MVP)

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Dec 18, 2003, 6:36:46 PM12/18/03

to

Josh wrote:

Hi

Always run

<somehotfix>.exe /?

to get an indication on what command line switches are available (just note
that for installs built with IExpress, e.g. updates for Internet Explorer, the
help screen is not listing all options).

Also, you should look up each hotfix's knowledge base article or security
bulletin, it also very often tell you about the command line switches that are
relevant, here is an example for the 828749 update:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.asp

Note that before security update MS03-041, the command line switches available
is documented in the Knowledge Base article for the update, you will find a
link
to this KB article at the end of the security bulletin MS0x-0xx.

E.g. for MS03-049, the switches is documented here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=824146

Most OS hotfixes and service packs, the unattended install and suppress reboot
prompts is done e.g. like this:

q329115_wxp_sp2_x86_enu /u /q /z

See
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=329115
and

http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/servicepacks/sp3/spdeploy.htm#command_line_switches_for_update_exe_and_w2ksp3_exe_nthj

for more on those type of command line switches.

All setup programs that supplies the message box below when run with the /?
switch, is built with IExpress, and supports many more switches than the help
screen
indicates, e.g. "/q /r:n" or "/q /c:"dahotfix.exe /q /n""

---------------------------
Some title
---------------------------
Command line options:

/Q -- Quiet modes for package,

/T:<full path> -- Specifies temporary working folder,

/C -- Extract files only to the folder when used also with /T.

/C:<Cmd> -- Override Install Command defined by author.

---------------------------
OK
---------------------------

Almost all setups of this type can be fully controlled with command line
switches when it comes to e.g. suppressing any dialog boxes to the user
and also controlling the reboot.

Using the /Q /R:N switches, you will suppress any messages, also reboots/reboot

messages as well.

/Q alone will be a silent install, but give the user the option to reboot if
necessary.

If you want to suppress some error messages as well, use /Q:A /R:N

You can also control or force restart with /R (you might have to change /q:a to

/q for some of the options below?):

a.. R = /R:A (Default)
b.. /R:= /R:A (Default)
c.. /R:N -- Never reboot, overrides INF settings in package
d.. /R:A -- Always reboot, prompt user with reboot choice
e.. /R:I -- Reboot if needed, prompt user with reboot choice
f.. /R:AS -- Always reboot, silent and don't prompt user
g.. /R:IS -- Silent reboot if needed, silent and don't prompt user

More information on available switches here:

Common Command-Line Switches for Self-Installing Update Files (Q197147)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q197/1/47.ASP

- and here -

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Subject: Re: redistribution of Microsoft Scripting Engines 5.1
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--
torgeir
Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page
Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter