Windows Update 'catalog' to update someone elses machine?

Question

This seems to be one of those things that MS just doesn't want you to do...one of those things you search google for and fine 40,000 people asking the question and no good answer.

I set up a new 4600 that I bought for my inlaws and installed all the updates etc. I want to keep them up to date without having to do the Windows Update over their dial up.

My plan was to, on a periodic basis, use the Windows Update catalog:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/catalog

To download all possible patches for their OS (XP Home SP1) and burn them to a CD. Then I would use the Windows Update on their dialup just to get a list of what needed to be installed on their system to use as a guide, and install them from the CD...simple enough.

So low and behold, today I try selecting updates from the Windows Update Catalog for that machine (either specifying all updates or everything in the last week)...and the all-important new KB828028 doesn't show up....what's up with that??

Anyone else out there using the catalog? Is it typical for updates to take time to show up there?

What's wrong with those idiots out in Redmond...

Tom

Denny Denham · Answer

tdexter,

Since the updates dated February 9 are in the catalog it appears that there is a 24-hour delay between the time a Critical Update is released and the time it appears in the catalog.

Interestingly enough, although I successfully installed 828028 yesterday (as reflected in my Installation History) it shows up today as an update for installation, which may indicate a glitch at the downloads site. Also, although I did not have 833407 installed (and it shows up in the Catalog) it was not listed as a necessary Critical Update. It is possible that the site may be feeling the effects of MyDoom.C.

Message Edited by Denny Denham on 02-11-2004 09:51 AM

tdexter · Answer

When I select all critical updates for XP Home SP1, I don't get anything newer than KB830786 which was posted on 12/3/03. That can't be right. I gotta think XP Home had updates in January.

I'm sorry, but this is inexcusable. There's no reason for updates not to show up there as soon as they're available.

I guess I'll add this to the book of reasons I'm glad I use Linux. Speaking of which, I set a friend up with a Mandrake Linux system for him to access the web, email etc. I keep him updated using updates on CD and it's so easy it's laughable. I just don't understand why MS makes this so difficult.

Tom

tdexter · Answer

hmmm...four days since the release of KB828028 and it still doesn't show in the Update Catalog, selecting for any OS...XP, 2000, whatever. Pretty useless if you ask me.

Anyone out there know of any other way to keep someone elses machine updated via CD?

Tom

maxd · Answer

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=0CC30297-D4AE-48E9-ACD0-1343D89CCBBA&displaylang=en Is this what you want ?

tdexter · Answer

Thanks for the reply. I think you sort of missed my point however. I know how to find that specific update.

My point is that I cannot use the update catalog as a means of finding all available current update (that I may or may not be aware of), because it seems to be so far behind.

I'm waiting to see how long it takes before that update gets selected by the catalog. I still fail to understand what backwards system Microsoft has where they don't show up on the catalog as soon as they're released, let alone days later.

Tom

maxd · Answer

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/technet/security/current.asp?productid=120&servicepackid=216&chkmaxsupercedence=on&chkcritical=on&seldaterange=0&txtdatestart=&txtdateend=&submit1=go

This has eveything I need.

tdexter · Answer

Thanks! Yes, that's definately the way to go. I'm not sure why they bother with that update catalog if they're not going to keep it current. Thanks again. Tom

maxd · Answer

You're welcome.

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Windows Update 'catalog' to update someone elses machine?

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