Windows update from the run command

is not the same as pushing the button called Check for updates. If you click the button the Last checked time changes, however, if you run the command, it looks like it is detecting updates from WSUS but the time does not change. I have tried almost all these commands and the time will not change, there has to be a different command that is run when you click the button. This also applies to the above PowerShell script not changing the time Last checked. At least at best, it is intermittent on different Windows 10 versions.

I switched a while back to a simple freeware utility called «Windows Update Mini-Tool». Don’t let the fact that it’s host on a forum in Russia discourage you — works great.

For Windows Server 2016:

Rather than downloading and distributing additional modules and/or utilities I tend to look at what is already there.

Sconfig can be used for downloading and installing patches so I started looking at what that calls. I noticed in the ReportingEvents.log in c:\windows\softwaredistribution folder and noticed that it regularly called cscript process. Therefore it is using VBScripts to search, download, install Windows updates. Do a search for *.vbs i found Sconfig.vbs. On inspecting the contents of Sconfig.vbs I noticed that it called WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs (which is what runs when you press «6» in sconfig).

When you run WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs it asks for 2 inputs:

Search for for (A)ll updates or (R)ecommended updates only?

(A)ll updates, (N)o updates or (S)elect a single update?

Therefore If you can pass these 2 inputs to the vbscript then you have your solution.

Create a input file (say c:\temp\input.txt) and add the following 2 lines:

Then to automatically install patches run:

If you want to keep track of progress open powershell and connect to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDisbritution\ReportingEvents.log (either locally or remotly) by running the following:

Reboot the machine once installs are complete.

Windows update from the run command

is not the same as pushing the button called Check for updates. If you click the button the Last checked time changes, however, if you run the command, it looks like it is detecting updates from WSUS but the time does not change. I have tried almost all these commands and the time will not change, there has to be a different command that is run when you click the button. This also applies to the above PowerShell script not changing the time Last checked. At least at best, it is intermittent on different Windows 10 versions.

I switched a while back to a simple freeware utility called «Windows Update Mini-Tool». Don’t let the fact that it’s host on a forum in Russia discourage you — works great.

For Windows Server 2016:

Rather than downloading and distributing additional modules and/or utilities I tend to look at what is already there.

Sconfig can be used for downloading and installing patches so I started looking at what that calls. I noticed in the ReportingEvents.log in c:\windows\softwaredistribution folder and noticed that it regularly called cscript process. Therefore it is using VBScripts to search, download, install Windows updates. Do a search for *.vbs i found Sconfig.vbs. On inspecting the contents of Sconfig.vbs I noticed that it called WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs (which is what runs when you press «6» in sconfig).

When you run WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs it asks for 2 inputs:

Search for for (A)ll updates or (R)ecommended updates only?

(A)ll updates, (N)o updates or (S)elect a single update?

Therefore If you can pass these 2 inputs to the vbscript then you have your solution.

Create a input file (say c:\temp\input.txt) and add the following 2 lines:

Then to automatically install patches run:

If you want to keep track of progress open powershell and connect to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDisbritution\ReportingEvents.log (either locally or remotly) by running the following:

Reboot the machine once installs are complete.

Windows update from the run command

is not the same as pushing the button called Check for updates. If you click the button the Last checked time changes, however, if you run the command, it looks like it is detecting updates from WSUS but the time does not change. I have tried almost all these commands and the time will not change, there has to be a different command that is run when you click the button. This also applies to the above PowerShell script not changing the time Last checked. At least at best, it is intermittent on different Windows 10 versions.

I switched a while back to a simple freeware utility called «Windows Update Mini-Tool». Don’t let the fact that it’s host on a forum in Russia discourage you — works great.

For Windows Server 2016:

Rather than downloading and distributing additional modules and/or utilities I tend to look at what is already there.

Sconfig can be used for downloading and installing patches so I started looking at what that calls. I noticed in the ReportingEvents.log in c:\windows\softwaredistribution folder and noticed that it regularly called cscript process. Therefore it is using VBScripts to search, download, install Windows updates. Do a search for *.vbs i found Sconfig.vbs. On inspecting the contents of Sconfig.vbs I noticed that it called WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs (which is what runs when you press «6» in sconfig).

When you run WUA_SearchDownloadInstall.vbs it asks for 2 inputs:

Search for for (A)ll updates or (R)ecommended updates only?

(A)ll updates, (N)o updates or (S)elect a single update?

Therefore If you can pass these 2 inputs to the vbscript then you have your solution.

Create a input file (say c:\temp\input.txt) and add the following 2 lines:

Then to automatically install patches run:

If you want to keep track of progress open powershell and connect to the C:\Windows\SoftwareDisbritution\ReportingEvents.log (either locally or remotly) by running the following:

Reboot the machine once installs are complete.

BEST GUIDE: How to Manually Run Windows Updates (7/8/8.1 and 10)

Microsoft updates are continuously released and by default applied and installed on your Windows OS. It is important to let the updates install automatically; because they bring in numerous benefits in terms of security and keeping the software’s and service up to date; The top most reason technically is the security of your operating system. Since there are 100’s of services running on your system, they can become outdated, unreliable and insecure which is when Microsoft pushes an update to patch the system, or update the service or the program. If you don’t run updates regularly; then your computer could be at risk; especially if it connected to a network.

By default; updates are supposed to run automatically. If for any reason they are not; then you will usually be prompted with an Error Number which can help diagnose the issue.

The aim of this guide is to show how you can make sure that your system is updated and if incase something goes wrong with your Windows Update; then how to push Windows Manually to do the updates and also ensure that you’r e set to receive updates automatically.

How to Check If Your Windows Updates are Up to Date

The easiest way to do this is to click on Start, type Windows Update and Click On It.

Windows 7/8/8.1

Windows 10

see below. It’s easier in Windows 10 therefore exclusive steps are not needed.

How to Run Windows Updates Manually in Windows 7

Press the Windows key on your keyboard. In the search box, type Windows update. In the search results, click on Windows update. Click on Check for updates in the right pane. It will start checking for the latest updates.

If there are any updates available, they will be listed underneath. After it has found updates, you will see an option called Install Updates. Click on it to begin installing updates.

Click Install updates to install them. Click Yes if the UAC warning message appears. You may see a license agreement, click I accept the license terms and click Finish. Updates will start downloading and installing automatically. A reboot maybe required so do it. It may install updates while shutting down and powering on. Be patient, and let the process complete.

Once done; the next step is to ensure that your system is set to install and check updates automatically. To do this, click Change Settings from the left pane; and set the first option to “Install Updates Automatically (Recommended)”

How to Run Windows Updates Manually in Windows 8 and 8.1

Hold the Windows Key and Press X. Choose Command Prompt (Admin)

wuauclt /showcheckforupdates

Windows update’s window will appear and automatically start checking for updates. If there are updates available for your system, click Install to download and install them automatically.

You may be asked to restart your system, click Restart now. It may install updates while shutting down and powering on. Be patient, and let the process complete.

How to Run Windows Update Manually in Windows 10

Hold the Windows Key and Press R. In the run dialog, type the following command

ms-settings:windowsupdate

Windows update’s window will appear. Click on Check for updates. It will start checking for updates. Click Install if any updates are available. This can take a while, and even a couple of reboots. Once done; click on Advanced Options;

then make sure that Automatic (Recommended) option is selected under Choose How Updates Are Installed.

How can I run Windows Update Troubleshooter completely from an elevated Command Prompt?

I need to run Windows Update Troubleshooter on multiple devices. Is there a way I can run Windows Update Troubleshooter completely from an elevated Command Prompt? I have gotten this far:

msdt.exe /id WindowsUpdateDiagnostic

But it only opens the WUT. I need it to completely run it.

Maybe running a batch file would do the trick as well, but my technical skills are not on a level to figure that out yet.

Any advice would help greatly.

Replies (3) 

I need to run Windows Update Troubleshooter on multiple devices

Do the computers-in-question belong to you or. Are they all Win7 computers? What problems have you encountered that you think running the troubleshooter might resolve?

Help us help you: Start by reading this «sticky» post.

Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
Microsoft MVP (Windows Client) since October 2002

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I work in a NOC that monitors many small businesses and fixes any issues that may arise. We also install our clients’ patches and updates. In our monitoring software, there are devices that state there is a «Windows Update Error» when we attempt to push patches. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter on a local machine fixed this issue. I am attempting to build a Automation Policy, through a tool in our monitoring software, to run the WUT on multiple client machines.

Oh, and yes, they are all Win7 PCs.

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Great! Thanks for your feedback.

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Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.