Windows Update Service (Windows only)īy default, the module will only look for and deliver Windows updates. Once installed, you may enter the following cmdlet to print a list on-screen to familiarize yourself with all the cmdlets available for this module: Get-Command -module PSWindowsUpdate Microsoft Update Service vs.
Enter the following command to install the module: Install-Module PSWindowsUpdateĢ. Before updates can be pushed out to devices, the module that informs PS of the cmdlets available must be installed on each Windows computer first (see the section below for deploying this en masse). SEE: Cheat sheet: Windows 10 PowerToys (free PDF) (TechRepublic) Install the PSWindowsUpdate Moduleġ. It will display a table with the major and minor versions, with the major being the one that identifies the version number. Launch PowerShell and enter the following command to verify the version of PS installed: SMB-based server share (optional but recommended for referencing scripts and modules).Windows client computers with Windows 7/Server 2008 (or newer) installed.
PowerShell v5.0 (or newer) on Windows PowerShell v7.0 on macOS/Linux.Workstation running Windows 10, macOS, or Linux for administrative tasks.But first, review the requirements below to ensure it all goes off without a hitch:
I will walk through the steps to set up your infrastructure to use PowerShell to accomplish patch management, even automating it to suit your organization’s needs. And since there is no reliance on additional software or servers that may be costly or otherwise prohibited from being used, the solution is largely free for any organization to use. It’s also easily scripted once you’ve got the correct parameters in place, and it’s highly secure. I say favorite because it is flexible, powerful, and native to every version of Windows going back several generations. Luckily, as with most things Microsoft, there are multiple ways to complete a task, and performing patch management can be leveraged against repositories, third-party management suites, and my personal favorite PowerShell (PS). Between a combination of the number of patches made available, previously missed or corrupt updates that may act as dependencies for newer updates, bandwidth considerations, and those using the devices to accomplish their work, the task can easily overwhelm even the most seasoned IT pro. While not a daunting task itself, keeping Microsoft applications up to date becomes increasingly more difficult and time-consuming as the device count increases. SEE: Windows 10 Start menu hacks (TechRepublic Premium) Any IT professional is surely intimately familiar with “Patch Tuesday,” or Microsoft’s predetermined slot when they release the latest updates for all their software applications, making them available on their catalog servers that feed individual devices with the metadata required to locate and download the newest fixes.
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Get Microsoft Office for Windows with this lifetime license Image: rvolkan/ Getty Images Must-read Windows coverage PowerShell pro tip: How to more easily manage Microsoft updates on Windows 10Ĭonfigure patch management on your fleet of Windows devices using PowerShell to remotely deploy pre-authorized Microsoft updates.