16 replies to this topic

[The Alfer]

Now that Autopatcher appears to be on its way to being phased out, I figure its time to look for alternatives.

I prefer to update my systems off-line and NOT do updates directly from Microsoft. I gather material, then update to an ongoing image that I update offline on a continious basis. That way I always have a clean image to fall back on, if I need to re-install the Windows partition without doing everything over. Autopatcher was the perfect means to do that, It was also a great way to reinstall all the updates to a clean install if I so chose to do that.

Now that I have established my reasons for using autopatcher, I want to ask the question, is there a suitable alternative out there that can meet my needs?

I know about The Software Patch, Project Dakota, Heise Security and all that. They all do not meet my specifications. I have come across WSUS, but the Microsoft site is vague on how to use it. Is this a viable alternative? Anybody use it? Are there any other alternatives I may not know about?

I'm sorry to see Autopatcher end like this. I've used it for years and I came to look upon it as an old friend. I hope that it can be somehow saved and revitalized, but if worse comes to worse, I hope that I can find some alternative that meets my needs.

Thanks for any help.

Alf


Amendment to post:
This post was made before ViroMan(me) picked up the autopatcher project. The project is still in danger of being lost due to reasons outside of our control,namely if the site owner will keep the site going or not, however the code is being updated and an alpha version of the new code is already out in testing.

Edited by ViroMan, 12 August 2011 - 10:47 PM.
Update On Facts

[DesertJerry]

I ran across one called WSUSOffline v6.8.4 - have not had time to check it out yet but a Google search should find a place to get it.

[_def_x_]

DesertJerry, on 25 May 2011 - 08:16 PM, said:

I ran across one called WSUSOffline v6.8.4 - have not had time to check it out yet but a Google search should find a place to get it.

We've talked many times about WSUS Offline Update, not bad but much less control over what gets installed, at least versions past. Only other criticism is mostly German language support, again may be different today. Overall, worth a try, possibly more stable on modern OSes (and older ones), this is an area where AutoPatcher (and APUP) needed attention.

Since I can't take credit for the programming of AutoPatcher, APUP, or the design of the scripts I feel I can offer an unbiased opinion that AutoPatcher is (was) the best tool for updating a running system, too bad a programmer didn't take it to the next level by modernizing the code (bug fixes, added new features etc), this is a lot to ask though for sure. There are many tools that aid the creation of updated install disks but for some reason (as far as I can tell) virtually no tools offer the functionality of AutoPatcher - if you know of any please list them here.

I know of a few tools that are used in-house that combine features of AutoPatcher, WSUS, Belarc Adviser, MU/WU, but aren't available to the public, my friends app is one. If he ever let's me take control of it (public support) I will gladly share. For now all he's giving me access to is the development phase and it's use on the job. I had hoped the app would replace AutoPatcher and APUP (feature wise it could) but I figure by the time he gives me sole custody of the code this forum will be long gone.

[The Alfer]

Thanks for your replies. I may experiment with WSUS on my other extra machine. It sounds like something meant for servers and businesses with tons of work stations from reading Microsofts convoluted literature on the subject.

I think I will start downloading the monthly ISO disks from the Microsoft Download Center. I already done this for May. They come out every second Tuesday of each month like the patches. It does require some effort to check out each update to see what it does but at least I'm in control and don't have to worry about questionable downloads getting by me by using Automatic Updates. One way or the other I will find a way like I did prior to using AutoPatcher.

I wish you luck on your endeavours gUiTaR_mIkE.

Alf

[_def_x_]

The Alfer said:

It sounds like something meant for servers and businesses with tons of work stations from reading Microsofts convoluted literature on the subject.

That WSUS - Windows Server Update Services - here's 2 links that may help, WSUS Wiki (a community Wiki) & WSUS Home (a Microsoft page).

I spent some time a while back looking at WSUS and felt it was too troublesome to deal with. I don't know what OS you have installed but if it's XP you may want to learn how to update the release and continue to use AutoPatcher, the Unofficial warning can be ignored. AutoPatcher does seem to work on some Win7 machines as well but I would not use it if you're having issues.

There's a link to the documentation in this thread if you want it - Post#3. If you feel like really learning maybe PowerShell or AutoIt would work. I had read a forum post at AutoIt, a user had vaguely asked if AutoIt could create an app similar to AutoPatcher, it never was addressed. Like I said, AutoPatcher is a great tool with a very simple concept and I'm surprised there are virtually no alternatives that make updating a single system as straight forward as AutoPatcher.

I have plans for developing something myself but I'm a non programmer and learning a language takes time - who knows.

The Alfer said:

I wish you luck on your endeavours gUiTaR_mIkE.

And to you as well Alf, and too all the user base. I really liked when the forums were bustling with activity, I hope those who've been absent are safe and all is well in their lives.

[_def_x_]

@ViroMan - the discussion was moved to ViroMan's Beta Application.

[TechSwap]

The Alfer, on 25 May 2011 - 07:22 AM, said:

Now that Autopatcher appears to be on its way to being phased out, I figure its time to look for alternatives.

I prefer to update my systems off-line and NOT do updates directly from Microsoft. I gather material, then update to an ongoing image that I update offline on a continious basis. That way I always have a clean image to fall back on, if I need to re-install the Windows partition without doing everything over. Autopatcher was the perfect means to do that, It was also a great way to reinstall all the updates to a clean install if I so chose to do that.

Now that I have established my reasons for using autopatcher, I want to ask the question, is there a suitable alternative out there that can meet my needs?

I know about The Software Patch, Project Dakota, Heise Security and all that. They all do not meet my specifications. I have come across WSUS, but the Microsoft site is vague on how to use it. Is this a viable alternative? Anybody use it? Are there any other alternatives I may not know about?

I'm sorry to see Autopatcher end like this. I've used it for years and I came to look upon it as an old friend. I hope that it can be somehow saved and revitalized, but if worse comes to worse, I hope that I can find some alternative that meets my needs.

Thanks for any help.

Alf

Here's a quick run down how I update my M$ updates. I first do a windows update and find what all the updates I need and then manual download each one of them from M$ site for x86 and x64. Then I copy those updates I downloaded to another HDD or flash stick to store for later updates. Next I use acronis image cd to reboot back to the last working image that had the most recent updates and reboot to that image and then I do the needed updates and reboot and then reimage that hdd to save for future updates again. That is how I do it that is alot of work but that gurantees that your O/S is in working order each time. That is short brief of it but that is how I do it.

[Newbie6]

A message from a newbie to you guitar mike.

Don't understand too much about computers so autopatcher was excellent in everyway.

Now that it's going don't know what to do

Thank you very much for the hard you put in. Same to all that contribute to working on the APUP software
for all the OS out there. Even the ones supposed to be obsolete. Will continue to hope there's
something on the way where it keeps going at least bi monthly or something similair.Fingers crossed not
really the end but a good break for some hard working people.

Notice too that a lot of people busy these days. Very tough times so maybe that's why not many people here right now?

Main message is a very simple and sincere thanks to people like you (and the others) who continue
to help people like myself without any ability. If you can continue then excellent. If not thank you so much.


That's it

Edited by Newbie6, 20 June 2011 - 08:35 AM.

[_def_x_]

@Newbie6

Your words are very nice, it does my heart well to read them.

My role was small, AutoPatcher had many good people who freely offered their time and skills to provide a useful tool, as you mentioned.

Keep an eye on the forums, I can't promise anything, maybe something good will happen for the project in the coming months.

Anyway, I wish you well Newbie6.

[Newbie6]

gUiTaR_mIkE, on 20 June 2011 - 09:14 AM, said:

@Newbie6

Your words are very nice, it does my heart well to read them.

My role was small, AutoPatcher had many good people who freely offered their time and skills to provide a useful tool, as you mentioned.

Keep an eye on the forums, I can't promise anything, maybe something good will happen for the project in the coming months.

Anyway, I wish you well Newbie6.

Thank you Guitar Mike and wish you well in return.

Yes it was a team effort so yes a big thanks to those that worked too. Like you mentioned people did this freely
and in this world that is something very big. Very hard to find people like this now.
Who knows and hopefully (for you too) they have taken their skill and found a living too.


Without these people and their real intelligence and generosity people like me with little skill (but everyone
needs a computer now!) would have plenty of trouble and plenty of expensive bills.


Forgot to say thanks to Guitar Mike for running
the forum. Always great to find customer support.

Best wishes to all that help others in this generous way.

[ViroMan]

hey... its not dead yet...

/me performs max lvl revive!

viromans-beta-application

Edited by ViroMan, 20 June 2011 - 09:54 AM.

[Newbie6]

ViroMan, on 20 June 2011 - 09:51 AM, said:

hey... its not dead yet...

/me performs max lvl revive!

viromans-beta-application

Many good people in the world.

With fingers crossed this is successful move. Make life very easy in the P.C.
world for people like me.

Why should only the company with fruit symbols (don't want to use the name for search engines?) have easy product for noobs.

Edited by Newbie6, 21 June 2011 - 04:53 AM.

[ViroMan]

may their fruit go rotten.

[Newbie6]

ViroMan, on 21 June 2011 - 05:49 PM, said:

may their fruit go rotten.

Funniest and new comment regarding that company

[dwarner]

Is there a plan to open source this project? Why is Autopatcher going away?

[ViroMan]

dwarner, on 12 August 2011 - 06:34 PM, said:

Is there a plan to open source this project? Why is Autopatcher going away?

its not going away, yet. There might be the possibility of this going open source later. I am currently in the process of revamping the code. Its currently in alpha with the testing group. No ETA on when I will open it up into beta an release to public. The reason it might go away is that we do not own the site. The owner of this site may let the site lease expire.

[Newbie6]

ViroMan, on 12 August 2011 - 10:02 PM, said:

its not going away, yet. There might be the possibility of this going open source later. I am currently in the process of revamping the code. Its currently in alpha with the testing group. No ETA on when I will open it up into beta an release to public. The reason it might go away is that we do not own the site. The owner of this site may let the site lease expire.

It is good to hear people still with dedication for this important tool.