AutoPatcher

AutoPatcher is an offline updater and alternative to Microsoft Update that can be used for installing software patches, service packs and other updates for certain Microsoft Windows systems. It allows these to be downloaded on a different machine or in advance, and then installed without an internet connection. By doing this, system updates can be automated and scripted, time and bandwidth required to download relevant updates is reduced, and exposure of unsecured systems online can be avoided. AutoPatcher also allows installation of some common additional software, registry settings, and patches for other Microsoft software, notably Microsoft Office. AutoPatcher currently exists for Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and some server equivalents (Windows 2003 and 2008). For some years it did not provide support for Windows 7 or older systems, nor for some 64 bit operating systems; updates are now possible for some of these in the 2014 version of Autopatcher. Originally software patches were distributed with AutoPatcher but, following legal complaints the software was modified in 2007. It now downloads all patches to a local hard drive from Microsoft's servers (ensuring the files are original and unmodified) and then allows their offline use as before.

AutoPatcher is an offline updater and alternative to Microsoft Update that can be used for installing software patches, service packs and other updates for certain Microsoft Windows systems. It allows these to be downloaded on a different machine or in advance, and then installed without an internet connection. By doing this, system updates can be automated and scripted, time and bandwidth required to download relevant updates is reduced, and exposure of unsecured systems online can be avoided. AutoPatcher also allows installation of some common additional software, registry settings, and patches for other Microsoft software, notably Microsoft Office. AutoPatcher currently exists for Windows 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and some server equivalents (Windows 2003 and 2008). For some years it did not provide support for Windows 7 or older systems, nor for some 64 bit operating systems; updates are now possible for some of these in the 2014 version of Autopatcher. Originally software patches were distributed with AutoPatcher but, following legal complaints the software was modified in 2007. It now downloads all patches to a local hard drive from Microsoft's servers (ensuring the files are original and unmodified) and then allows their offline use as before. ==Project history== ===Version 5.1=== There were three 'release types' used in the 5.1-era; Full and Lite releases both contained critical, recommended and component updates, commonly used applications such as Java, and registry tweaks. The Lite release contained fewer extra applications than the Full release. Update releases were for updating previous months releases with the latest copies of files found in the latest Full & Lite releases, these smaller downloads were designed to reduce the amount of bandwidth needed for distribution. ===Version 5.6=== Version 5.6 of the AutoPatcher engine included a new user interface, and more "intelligent" scripting than the previous version, 5.1. Changes from version 5.1 include: Support for Windows Vista and Windows XP Media Center Edition; New detections: Windows Media Player, Windows Live Messenger/MSN Messenger, DirectX, .NET and Windows Installer; Microsoft Office components detection: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Project, Publisher, OneNote, FrontPage, InfoPath, Visio, SharePoint Designer and Groove; Detect hotfixes that were slipstreamed. New releases using this version started with the May 2007 release with a change in release terminology. Full releases were replaced with Core releases. The Core releases still contain the critical updates, recommended updates, optional updates, and various tweaks present in the Full releases, but most of the large add-ons were moved to separate Add-On packs. Lite releases no longer exist, due to add-ons being moved to their own packs. Update releases remained the same, and are available every month to update the Core release. AutoPatcher Core releases were cumulative; previous versions are not required. AutoPatcher Update releases were incremental; All of the previous Update releases since the latest Core release need to be installed first. Thus, the order in which to install the releases became: Core + Addon(Optional) + Update [+ Update [+ ...]] ===Version 5.7=== Support for Win 7 and Win 8 were added. Sweeper.exe was added to clean the modules folder of files/directories that don't belong. ===Version 6=== In active development APUP was deprecated because it was absorbed into AutoPatcher's main program. You can still download and use it though. Support for Windows versions: Windows 2000 and XP were dropped by Microsoft. You can still get AutoPatcher to update XP but, the script is not receiving much attention since Microsoft dropped support. ===Custom Modules=== It is possible to produce custom "Stand Alone" modules for use with AutoPatcher to install other third-party programs, tweaks etc. This can be useful, for example, inside businesses where bespoke software needs to be maintained. The AutoPatcher team maintained a list of stand alone modules that have been authenticated, signed and packaged for use with AutoPatcher, but that are not eligible for inclusion into the add-on packs. ==See also== Project Dakota Slipstream (computing) WSUSOffline.net Update Downloader ==References== ==External links== What's next for Autopatcher? Feature and interview with Kaladis on Webuser.co.uk

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