XP SP2 Automatic Updates questions

Windows XP Professional SP2 used in a workgroup.


We use a third party product called Deep Freeze that upon rebooting, undoes
any changes that were made prior to rebooting. The computer is restored to
the same state every time that it is rebooted.

We have a maintenance window between 1am and 6am where the PC is
automatically powered on and booted to the desktop. Deep freeze is
automatically disabled during this period so that system changes can be
made. We have configured Automatic Updates to run everyday at 1am.

I am seeking clarification on when updates are downloaded.

It is my understanding that Automatic Updates will download updates during
periods of no network activity and then will install those updates at the
specified time (1am in our case). If this is the case then because of our
system lockdown solution, any updates that were downloaded will not exist
when our systems are in the maintenance window. Effectively, it would be
like turning on a system for the first time since new updates were released.

My questions are;

For a system that is configured to run Automatic Updates at 1am that hasn't
downloaded any updates prior to that time- will it download AND install the
updates during our maintenance window of 1am-6am? In looking through the
WindowsUpdate.log file I notice the following entry;

"Setting AU scheduled install time to (next day) 05:00:00"

Where did Automatic Updates get 5am from? I configured Automatic Updates to
run at 1am.

What will happen if an updates requires an EULA acceptance? Will Automatic
Updates automatically accept an EULA request?

Thanks,

-Giles

From WinXP SP2 Help:

<quote>
If you use the Automatic (recommended) setting, or scheduled updates,
Windows will _download_ new updates whenever you are connected to the
Internet. Updates are _installed_ at the scheduled time, as long as your
computer is turned on. If any updates require you to accept an End User
License Agreement (EULA), Windows will notify you and the updates will not
be installed until you view and accept the agreement.

Some updates cannot be installed unless your computer is restarted. For
these, Windows notifies you that your computer needs to be restarted for
security maintenance. If you are an administrator for your computer, you can
delay the restart. Otherwise, Windows will warn you and then restart your
computer so the updates can begin to help protect your computer.
</quote>
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

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http://forum.aumha.org

Giles Harney wrote:
> Windows XP Professional SP2 used in a workgroup.
>
> We use a third party product called Deep Freeze that upon rebooting,
> undoes any changes that were made prior to rebooting. The computer is
> restored to the same state every time that it is rebooted.
>
> We have a maintenance window between 1am and 6am where the PC is
> automatically powered on and booted to the desktop. Deep freeze is
> automatically disabled during this period so that system changes can be
> made. We have configured Automatic Updates to run everyday at 1am.
>
> I am seeking clarification on when updates are downloaded.
>
> It is my understanding that Automatic Updates will download updates during
> periods of no network activity and then will install those updates at the
> specified time (1am in our case). If this is the case then because of our
> system lockdown solution, any updates that were downloaded will not exist
> when our systems are in the maintenance window. Effectively, it would be
> like turning on a system for the first time since new updates were
> released.
>
> My questions are;
>
> For a system that is configured to run Automatic Updates at 1am that
> hasn't downloaded any updates prior to that time- will it download AND
> install the updates during our maintenance window of 1am-6am? In looking
> through the WindowsUpdate.log file I notice the following entry;
>
> "Setting AU scheduled install time to (next day) 05:00:00"
>
> Where did Automatic Updates get 5am from? I configured Automatic Updates
> to run at 1am.
>
> What will happen if an updates requires an EULA acceptance? Will Automatic
> Updates automatically accept an EULA request?
>
> Thanks,
>
> -Giles