AutoPatcher Client Service (December 1, 2008)

Purpose

The purpose of the AutoPatcher Client Service is to provide a Windows NT based Service Application that will check for a new AutoPatcher Answer File (.aaf) on a remote file share so that network client PCs can receive a customized Windows update via AutoPatcher.exe.

What is AutoPatcher? Follow this link!

Overview

Fist, apup.exe is run to gather up all of the available updates for a particular OS, or for all OSes if needed. A network administrator would then customize an answer file using AutoPatcher.exe from that particular OS, and as an example Windows XP. He would then select what he wants AutoPatcher to install or update in Windows XP and create a WinXP.aaf answer file. This file and ALL AutoPatcher files would be placed on a file share on some 'server' pc on the network. The service will then check this location every hour for an updated aaf file. If the service is running Windows XP it will look for WinXP.aaf. If the client PC is running Windows 2000 it will look for a Win2000.aaf file and if it is running Vista, it will look for a Vista.aaf file. If the service sees a new .aaf file it will run AutoPatcher.exe silently and minimized from the share by first creating a network drive which starts from the upper end of the alphabet, drive Z. This mapped drive is only available to the service account under which the service is run. After the install is finished, the mapped drive is removed and the PC goes on as it would after any AutoPatcher update. The service continues to check for a changed .aaf file.

Caution

USE THIS SOFTWARE AT YOUR OWN RISK! As of December 2008, this software is considered to be a BETA release. I have made a reasonable attempt to write this program to do what it says it will do and do so safely. It works for me! However I cannot guarantee how it is used or whether it is fit for any particular application or purpose. There is no warranty expressed or implied and I assume no responsibility for corrupted data or other loss of use through the use of this software.

I have tested this software on Windows 2000 and Windows XP. I have yet to test this on Windows Vista but will do so when I can.

Freeware

The two applications making up this service, AutoPatcherClientService.exe and SetReg.exe are Freeware. You can copy them and provide it to others provided that all of the files, the EULA and this file are distributed with it.

Support is limited as it is Freeware!

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Please report any errors, problems, kudos, suggestions and other stuff. Please do not report errors that are obviously due to your network connections and topology.

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