AWU-Installer

Short for 'Automatic Windows Updates Installer', AWU-Installer is an application that allows developers to access Windows Updates via the command prompt, providing an automation tool for deploying updates on Windows 7, 2008 R2 and 2012 R2.

AWU-Installer comes with a few simple commands that can be easily integrated into any task scheduling or system management software solution. It does not require installation, meaning it can be launched via the command prompt by double-clicking on the executable file.

It can query the official Windows Server Update Services server (WSUS), but users can also configure it to check for newly available updates online. Updates are detected and installed automatically, but those larger than 500MB are skipped. Moreover, AWU-Installer cannot perform driver updates.

Before starting to search for updates, users can instruct AWU-Installer to check if there is enough available storage space on the drive where Windows is deployed, usually C: (more than 5120MB). Also, there is a command for limiting the number of installed updates at a run to 50. Neither of these settings (the storage space limit and the number of installed updates) can be modified.

AWU-Installer can be configured to run in hidden mode so as to not interrupt the workflow of the final user. It features logging (a custom location for the log file can be defined; by default, this is the 'Temp' folder in the 'Windows' directory) and scheduling capabilities, offering developers increased control over the Windows update process.

Optionally, the tool can reboot the host computer automatically after Windows updates are installed, if needed.

With a list of intuitive commands and a simple syntax, AWU-Installer can be integrated into a batch file or script and used as a way to automate the Windows update process. It accesses the Windows Updates server instantly, downloads available updates and installs them.