Updated Patching Tools Cover OSs, Applications

Updates to two free Microsoft patch management tools unify patching of OSs and applications. Microsoft Update, a more comprehensive version of the Windows Update Web site, patches many Microsoft applications in addition to patching Windows. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), a free Windows Server-based tool, gives organizations a centralized way to authorize and distribute OS and application software supplied by Microsoft Update to systems running Windows 2000 or higher. In addition to patching Windows, both tools can patch SQL Server 2000, Exchange 2003, and Office 2003, with more Microsoft applications to be added over time.

(Ed. note: While in beta, both tools were described in greater detail in “Free Software Update Technology to Cover All Products” on page 12 of the Feb. 2005 Update. However, some terminology has changed in the released versions. For the current terminology, see the illustration “Patch Management Terminology Changes“.)

Microsoft Update

Microsoft Update is a more comprehensive version of Windows Update, Microsoft’s Web-based tool for managing patches, security rollups, and service packs. Like Windows Update, Microsoft Update is accessible interactively from a Web browser or automatically from the Automatic Update agent on Windows 2000 and newer versions of Windows client and server. The Automatic Update agent enables applicable patches to be downloaded in the background and even installed at a scheduled time without user interaction.