Windows Update in a command line world. Installing Windows Updates on Windows 2008 Server Core.
“I love Windows Server 2008 installed with Server Core. It’s small footprint (although it could be even smaller), simplistic command line UI, and the boot speed. One thing I dislike (until recently) is installing updates on Server Core. Well I found a nice little sample script that works beautifully to check and install all available updates from the command line
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa387102(VS.85).aspx
This is a VBScript that uses the built in Windows Update Agent (WUA) to check for all available updates, provide you a list, and allow you to select to download and install the updates on your machine.
This makes updating a Server Core image a breeze.
…” [Post leached level 99%]
I just heard my order for a “HyperV compatible system” was approved and the order placed… So while I wait on the order to come in (a couple weeks or so), I’m going to be keeping my eyes open for Windows Server 2008 & HyperV stuff. Given that I guess you can figure out why this article caught my eye.
It hadn’t registered as to how I was going to keep my Server Core system up to date. It’s been a long time since I lived in a command line OS (cough… MS-DOS 3.x… cough) that it hadn’t crossed my mind as to how update Server Core. Well with this script in hand, my update life will now be better.
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2 comments:
The tool WuInstall (http://www.xeox.com/index.php/en/tools/wuinstall) does basically something very similar, but with some additional options.
The only issue with that script is that it will install everything listed on Windows Update.
If you want to avoid certain patches -for instance, updates that you have not yet tested in PROD yet- then the script can be a problem. I've been in that situation.
There is a tool ("UDC") which is a small portable .exe file that lets you control updates through command line, gives you options to will generate reports, schedule reboots, etc. I tested on Server Core and works great.
http://www.sysadminsoftware.com/udc.html
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