Autopatcher for Windows 7

For those who would like to download Windows 7 patches and add ons directly from Microsoft servers without using Windows Update give Autopatcher a try. There are now modules for both 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7. All files are checksum verified and, of course, the resulting APUP folder is portable. There is an Autopatcher thread in applications.

 

You have old information. Microsoft did threaten legal action because Autopatcher was hosting MS files on AP servers. Autopatcher ceased hosting of MS files and wrote scripts that automatically connect to MS servers and fetch files from the original source. Autopatcher was out of action for a short time only.

The Autopatcher post below explains in detail how to use the utility. Users can choose to download modules to auto-update Windows 2000, Windows XP X86, Vista X86, Windows 7 X84 X64, Office 2003, Office 2007, DirectX, .Net Framework, Java, Extras and Addons. APUP.exe (Autopatcher Updater) fetches and accumulates the releases in the APUP folder. When Autopatcher.exe is run the files which are compatible with the host computer are automatically presented for selection. A person who supports many computers only needs one APUP folder even if the computers run different versions of Windows and Office. Autopatcher auto-installs all files chosen by the user with a reboot required only at the end of the process. The product is very slick!

 

The following information may be useful for people who either do not like Windows Update or who do multiple installs.

I use Autopatcher to fetch Windows updates since SP3. Autopatcher also fetches Windows add ons and extras that can be selected. The program has an installer to mass install everything that is fetched with a reboot needed only at the end of the installation routine. The AP installer includes a great selection of registry tweaks which can be selected or reversed if needed. (The Windows 7 releases do not include registry tweaks so far). The Windows files are fetched from Microsoft servers and then verified by checksums. Sometimes several runs of APUP (Autopatcher Updater) with the logfile option may be necessary to fetch all files with no errors reported in the log. The end result is a portable APUP folder which can be run anywhere on multiple machines.

My APUP folder with all 32 bit XP updates since SP3 plus Direct X, .Net Framework, and Extras totals 751MB.

Visit the Autopatcher web site and download AutoPatcher Updater v1.3.0.1. (apup.zip). Extract to folder apup. It is recommended to place the apup folder in the root directory C:\. Open the folder and run apup.exe. A window will open to allow selection of releases to download. The Autopatcher Updater, Autopatcher Engine and Autopatcher for your version of Windows will be preselected. You can add additional items like other Windows versions, the DirectX add on pack, Extras add on pack, NET Framework add on pack and Java. After making your selections click the options tab and check remember selections. Click Next and apup will begin fetching your releases. You will be able to view the download progress. When you see the finish tab click it. Next in the open apup folder click "hit this to generate a log file" then click next to rerun. The fetching routine will run again. Click the finish tab when it appears. Repeat the log file run again by clicking "hit this to generate a log file" and rerun. Click the finish tab when it appears. Open the apup folder and click on the apup.log. There will be many lines in the log file but if there are no error messages and the log reports all files have been downloaded you are ready to run autopatcher.exe.

When autopatcher.exe is run the program will take about 30 seconds to scan and select applicable updates. A window will open allowing selection of files to be installed. Critical updates that have not been previously installed will be automatically selected. Previously installed updates will be colored blue. Recommended updates can be selected as required. Highlighting an update reveals a snipet of info about that selection. There is a section for selecting extras and sections for selecting registry tweaks. After all selections are made click next and the files will be installed. At finish reboot. You may need to rerun Autopatcher.exe because some updates may require prerequisites before installing.

There is a good Autopatcher User Guide in PDF form. The guide is fairly complete but does not address the need to repeatedly run "hit this to generate a log file" ensuring complete and error free files. There is also an Autopatcher forum where issues can be discussed.

It should be noted that all files fetched by the apup script are downloaded from the original source. For example Windows patches are downloaded from Microsoft servers and Java is downloaded from Sun servers.

Autopatcher has been a great tool for me. I often do clean installs for friends and family members.

 

There are several advantages. Convenience. Speed. Versatility. Portability. Having one folder on a flash drive or DVD which includes an automatic installation routine which will first scan the host computer and then present all critical and recommended updates for that version of Windows along with DirectX, the .Net Framework, the latest Java version, Windows add ons like Tweak Toys and extensive (reversable) registry tweaks (on pre-Windows 7 versions). The user is presented with the complete set of updates, add ons and tweaks. Highlighting any item provides a snippet of info to help the user determine whether or not to install. Also when Autopatcher.exe is run all of the updates, add ons, extras and registry tweaks are installed in mass with a reboot only needed at the end of the routine.

 

Your criticism re bloat is not really valid because the user always has the choice of which modules to include. The program defaults to downloading only the updater, the engine and important updates. Users who have no desire for extras, addons and registry tweaks are not forced to include them.

Downloading with dial up is always problematic but Autopatcher is speedier than Windows Update. In addition, if a dial up user ever has to reinstall he is saved time because he already has the updates and the mass installer in one portable folder.

Autopatcher and Windows Updates downloader are quite different in function.

Windows Updates Downloader is useful in building a slip-streamed installation disk but lacks a mass installer.

Autopatcher is not intended for integration into unattended Windows installations. Autopatcher is dynamic and flexible. The program is portable and includes an updater and an intelligent installer.

Patches downloaded by WUD and integrated by Nlite cannot be uninstalled. Autopatcher installs patches that can be uninstalled.