AutoPatcher
Encyclopedia
AutoPatcher is an alternative to Microsoft Update that can be used for installing software patch
es, service pack
s and other updates for certain Microsoft Windows
systems. It allows these to be downloaded on a different machine or in advance, and then installed offline. By doing this, system updates can be automated
and scripted, time and bandwidth required to download relevant updates is reduced, and exposure of unsecured systems
online can be avoided. AutoPatcher also allows installation of some common additional software, registry
settings, and patches for other Microsoft software, notably Microsoft Office
.
AutoPatcher currently exists for Windows 2000
, XP
, Vista
, 7 and some server equivalents (Windows 2003 and 2008). For some years it did not provide support for Windows 7 or older systems, nor for some 64 bit operating systems; updates are now possible for some of these in the 2011 version of Autopatcher. Originally software patches were distributed with AutoPatcher but following legal complaints the software was modified in 2007. It now downloads all patches from Microsoft
's servers
.
This original release contained 22 updates and could only be used on Windows XP SP1. Upon its release people asked for more updates, features, and a modern GUI. Jason was contacted by Antonis Kaladis and the two of them rewrote the AutoPatcher program and began maintaining and distributing the program.
's Java Platform, and registry tweaks.
, and more "intelligent" scripting
than the previous version, 5.1.
Changes from version 5.1 include:
AutoPatcher Core releases were cumulative; previous versions are not required.
AutoPatcher Update releases were incremental; All of the previous Update releases since the latest Core release need to be installed first.
Thus, the order in which to install the releases is:
Core + Addon(Optional) + Update [+ Update[+ ...]]
The AutoPatcher Office releases follow the same naming structure as the AutoPatcher Windows releases.
The AutoPatcher team maintained a list of stand alone modules that have been authenticated, signed and packaged for use with AutoPatcher, but that are not eligible for inclusion into the add-on packs.
protection with the software was behind it. "I asked the representative if Windows Genuine Advantage had anything to do with it", stated Neobond, the administrator of Neowin forum, "and he categorically told me this was not the case, he added that Windows Update for pre-Vista versions of Windows can now be accessed using Firefox and that the concern at Microsoft had more to do with the possible malicious code that could be redistributed with certified Microsoft updates."
As a result the AutoPatcher Updater, or APUP, tool was created to automatically download the required patches from Microsoft's web servers and store them in the same file structure used in previous AutoPatcher releases. Once the files have been downloaded "everything remains as you know it."
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
es, service pack
Service pack
A service pack is a collection of updates, fixes or enhancements to a software program delivered in the form of a single installable package. Many companies, such as Microsoft or Autodesk, typically release a service pack when the number of individual patches to a given program reaches a certain ...
s and other updates for certain Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
systems. It allows these to be downloaded on a different machine or in advance, and then installed offline. By doing this, system updates can be automated
Automation
Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...
and scripted, time and bandwidth required to download relevant updates is reduced, and exposure of unsecured systems
Computer security
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
online can be avoided. AutoPatcher also allows installation of some common additional software, registry
Windows registry
The Windows Registry is a hierarchical database that stores configuration settings and options on Microsoft Windows operating systems. It contains settings for low-level operating system components as well as the applications running on the platform: the kernel, device drivers, services, SAM, user...
settings, and patches for other Microsoft software, notably Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is a non-free commercial office suite of inter-related desktop applications, servers and services for the Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, introduced by Microsoft in August 1, 1989. Initially a marketing term for a bundled set of applications, the first version of...
.
AutoPatcher currently exists for Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
, XP
Windows XP
Windows XP is an operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops and media centers. First released to computer manufacturers on August 24, 2001, it is the second most popular version of Windows, based on installed user base...
, Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, 7 and some server equivalents (Windows 2003 and 2008). For some years it did not provide support for Windows 7 or older systems, nor for some 64 bit operating systems; updates are now possible for some of these in the 2011 version of Autopatcher. Originally software patches were distributed with AutoPatcher but following legal complaints the software was modified in 2007. It now downloads all patches from Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
's servers
File server
In computing, a file server is a computer attached to a network that has the primary purpose of providing a location for shared disk access, i.e. shared storage of computer files that can be accessed by the workstations that are attached to the computer network...
.
Version 1.0
The original AutoPatcher program was a simple batch script created by Jason Kelley and released on the Neowin forums on October 15, 2003.This original release contained 22 updates and could only be used on Windows XP SP1. Upon its release people asked for more updates, features, and a modern GUI. Jason was contacted by Antonis Kaladis and the two of them rewrote the AutoPatcher program and began maintaining and distributing the program.
Versions 4.0 - 4.2
Versions 4.0 - 4.2 were a great stepping stone from the old batch processes and the next stage of the program. These releases saw the use of the .AXP file format for custom programs as well as more stability. There was only one release created for this series, the Full release that contained all critical, recommended and component updates, commonly used applications such as Sun MicrosystemsSun Microsystems
Sun Microsystems, Inc. was a company that sold :computers, computer components, :computer software, and :information technology services. Sun was founded on February 24, 1982...
's Java Platform, and registry tweaks.
Version 4.5
Version 4.5, introduced in March 2004, saw some major changes from the previous v4 releases. This release was the first time there were multiple release packs; Full, Lite, and Ultralite releases all contained critical updates. The Lite release contained all recommended updates and a few extra applications that the UltraLite release did not have. The Full release contained critical, recommended and component updates, commonly used applications such as Java, and registry tweaks. Version 4.5 also saw the integration of an XML database, and the current icon, designed by Foood.Version 5.1
There were three 'release types' used in the 5.1-era; Full and Lite releases both contained critical, recommended and component updates, commonly used applications such as Java, and registry tweaks. The Lite release contained fewer extra applications than the Full release. Update releases were for updating previous months releases with the latest copies of files found in the latest Full & Lite releases, these smaller downloads were designed to reduce the amount of bandwidth needed for distribution.Version 5.6
Version 5.6 of the AutoPatcher engine included a new user interfaceUser interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
, and more "intelligent" scripting
Scripting language
A scripting language, script language, or extension language is a programming language that allows control of one or more applications. "Scripts" are distinct from the core code of the application, as they are usually written in a different language and are often created or at least modified by the...
than the previous version, 5.1.
Changes from version 5.1 include:
- Support for Windows VistaWindows VistaWindows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
and Windows XP Media Center EditionWindows XP Media Center EditionWindows XP Media Center Edition is a version of the Windows XP operating system designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub. The last version, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, was released in October 2004.-Versions:...
; - New detections: Windows Media PlayerWindows Media PlayerWindows Media Player is a media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and viewing images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices...
, Windows Live MessengerWindows Live MessengerWindows Live Messenger is an instant messaging client created by Microsoft that is currently designed to work with Windows XP , Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Mobile, Windows CE, Xbox 360, Blackberry OS, iOS, Java ME, S60 on Symbian OS 9.x and Zune HD...
/MSN Messenger, DirectXDirectXMicrosoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with Direct, such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay,...
, .NET.NET FrameworkThe .NET Framework is a software framework that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and supports several programming languages which allows language interoperability...
and Windows InstallerWindows InstallerThe Windows Installer is a software component used for the installation, maintenance, and removal of software on modern Microsoft Windows systems...
; - Microsoft Office components detection: WordMicrosoft WordMicrosoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
, ExcelMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Excel is a proprietary commercial spreadsheet application written and distributed by Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X. It features calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications...
, PowerPointMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft PowerPoint, usually just called PowerPoint, is a non-free commercial presentation program developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite, and runs on Microsoft Windows and Apple's Mac OS X operating system...
, OutlookMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft, available both as a separate application as well as a part of the Microsoft Office suite...
, AccessMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools. It is a member of the Microsoft Office suite of...
, ProjectMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft Project is a project management software program, developed and sold by Microsoft, which is designed to assist a project manager in developing a plan, assigning resources to tasks, tracking progress, managing the budget, and analyzing workloads.The application creates critical path...
, PublisherMicrosoft PublisherMicrosoft Publisher is a desktop publishing application from Microsoft. It is an entry-level application, differing from Microsoft Word in that the emphasis is placed on page layout and design rather than text composition and proofing...
, OneNote, FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPageMicrosoft FrontPage was a WYSIWYG HTML editor and web site administration tool from Microsoft for the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. It was branded as part of the Microsoft Office suite from 1997 to 2003...
, InfoPathMicrosoft InfoPathMicrosoft Office InfoPath is a software application for designing, distributing, filling and submitting electronic forms containing structured data...
, VisioMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft Visio , formerly known as Microsoft Office Visio, is a commercial diagramming program for Microsoft Windows that uses vector graphics to create diagrams.- Features :...
, SharePoint DesignerMicrosoft SharePoint DesignerMicrosoft SharePoint Designer is a specialized HTML editor and web design freeware for creating or modifying Microsoft SharePoint sites and web pages. It is a part of Microsoft SharePoint family of products...
and Groove; - Detect hotfixes that were slipstreamedSlipstream (computing)In computer jargon, to slipstream updates, patches or service packs means to integrate them into the installation files of their original software, so that the resulting files will allow a direct installation of the updated software....
.
Windows
New releases using this version started with the May 2007 release with a change in release terminology.- Full releases were replaced with Core releases. The Core releases still contain the critical updates, recommended updates, optional updates, and various tweaks present in the Full releases, but most of the large add-ons were moved to separate Add-On packs.
- Lite releases no longer exist, due to add-ons being moved to their own packs.
- Update releases remained the same, and are available every month to update the Core release.
AutoPatcher Core releases were cumulative; previous versions are not required.
AutoPatcher Update releases were incremental; All of the previous Update releases since the latest Core release need to be installed first.
Thus, the order in which to install the releases is:
Core + Addon(Optional) + Update [+ Update
Office
The first AutoPatcher Office packages were released on August 20, 2007, consisting of AutoPatcher Office 2002 Core, AutoPatcher Office 2003 Core, AutoPatcher Office 2007 Core and AutoPatcher OfficePack Addon.The AutoPatcher Office releases follow the same naming structure as the AutoPatcher Windows releases.
Custom Modules
It is possible to produce custom "Stand Alone" modules for use with AutoPatcher to install other third-party programs, tweaks etc. This can be useful, for example, inside businesses where bespoke software needs to be maintained.The AutoPatcher team maintained a list of stand alone modules that have been authenticated, signed and packaged for use with AutoPatcher, but that are not eligible for inclusion into the add-on packs.
Project Shutdown
The AutoPatcher team was forced to shut down the project after receiving e-mail from Microsoft requesting them to stop distribution on August 29, 2007. Microsoft cited the security risks of third party distribution of their patches as their reason behind the decision. Microsoft denied that the possibility of circumventing their Windows Genuine AdvantageWindows Genuine Advantage
Windows Genuine Advantage is an anti-piracy system created by Microsoft that enforces online validation of the licensing of several recent Microsoft Windows operating systems when accessing several services, such as Windows Update, and downloading Windows components from the Microsoft Download...
protection with the software was behind it. "I asked the representative if Windows Genuine Advantage had anything to do with it", stated Neobond, the administrator of Neowin forum, "and he categorically told me this was not the case, he added that Windows Update for pre-Vista versions of Windows can now be accessed using Firefox and that the concern at Microsoft had more to do with the possible malicious code that could be redistributed with certified Microsoft updates."
Comeback
Kaladis revealed in the AutoPatcher Blog that his biggest concern after the project was shut down by Microsoft was that "people around the globe [would] start writing their own custom modules and start redistributing their own releases", adding that one of the security features in AutoPatcher "would automatically flag these releases as unofficial", but that if end-users only had a choice of unofficial releases the spread of malicious software would be very easy.As a result the AutoPatcher Updater, or APUP, tool was created to automatically download the required patches from Microsoft's web servers and store them in the same file structure used in previous AutoPatcher releases. Once the files have been downloaded "everything remains as you know it."
See also
- Project DakotaProject DakotaProject Dakota is an alternative to Microsoft's Windows Update developed by Alek Patsouris & Christopher "doc" Harris to update a Windows XP system from a CD, USB drive or network drive, without the need to use the Windows Update website....
- Slipstream (computing)Slipstream (computing)In computer jargon, to slipstream updates, patches or service packs means to integrate them into the installation files of their original software, so that the resulting files will allow a direct installation of the updated software....
- WSUSOffline.net Update Downloader
External links
- AutoPatcher Homepage
- AutoPatcher Forum
- What's next for Autopatcher? Feature and interview with Kaladis on Webuser.co.uk