Software Update Solutions that are Free?

[dubsdj]

I don't know if other network admins have the same headache as I do... But when Flash, Shockwave.. google decide to make updates for their software (Which are never in .msi format) and It's always a problem because proxies very often don't like update servers and restricted users on a network can't even initialise updates... The whole process just becomes very irritating as it requires a manual walking around all 400 pc's updating bits of software.

Are there any free solutions out there that can be run on a network that could dish out all these updates at a click of a finger by admins?

[Tripredacus]

You can use Group Policy from your domain controller to push updates like that. Start here for more info:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums...3b-a8baac35b36a

[MrJinje]

Just to add to what Trip says, If you can track down the silent install switches, you can likely re-package them as an MSI using this. After they are in MSI format you can use the Group Policy Application Management features.

http://www.tothepc.com/archives/convert-ex...cation-package/

http://www.qwertylab.com/FreeTools.aspx

Edited February 9, 2010 by MrJinje

[dubsdj]

Thanks I will check that out!

[dubsdj]

Well I checked out that link but it doesn't really help because:

Windows Server Update Services WSUS I use already but you can't push 3rd party updates like JAVA with that, I tried importing but you can only select what's in the Windows Catelog.

SCE (System Center Essentials) - I checked that out and it's expensive so that's a no go..

Any other ideas anyone?

[Tripredacus]

Well I checked out that link but it doesn't really help because:

Windows Server Update Services WSUS I use already but you can't push 3rd party updates like JAVA with that, I tried importing but you can only select what's in the Windows Catelog.

SCE (System Center Essentials) - I checked that out and it's expensive so that's a no go..

Any other ideas anyone?

Right, yes that post does talk about WSUS and SCE, but if you look at the MS KB links, they will talk about using GP to push updates. I put the link for the main topic because you didn't really specify what you had access to, so WSUS may have just been enough, otherwise you'll need to dig deeper.

[MrJinje]

Windows Server Update Services WSUS I use already but you can't push 3rd party updates like JAVA with that

My method was to repackage your updates and use the Push method to install Applications using Group Policy. It can push any MSI packaged installer. It has nothing to do with Windows Updates or WSUS. It will work for you if you repackage your EXE properly.