Description of the new features in the package installer for Windows software updates

Version 6.1.22.0 and later versions of the package installer for Windows software updates (Update.exe) support the following new features and changes:

• A new /log command-line switch to enable redirection of the log files produced by the package installer
• A new /warnrestart command-line switch to present a dialog box with a timer at the end of an unattended installation or removal warning the user that their system will restart, if a restart is required.
• A new /promptrestart command-line switch to present a dialog box at the end of an unattended installation or removal prompting the user to let their system restart, if a restart is required.
• Changes to the /passive switch so that when a restart is required, a dialog box with a timer is displayed at the end of installation or removal warning the user that their system will restart.
• Flags set in the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Updates\UpdateExeVolatile to indicate when a restart is required after installation or removal of a software update such as a security update, critical update, or hotfix.
• /uninstall and /listupdates command-line switches have been discontinued. See the More Information section for alternatives.

Version 5.4.15.0 and later versions of the package installer for Windows software updates (Update.exe) support the following new features:

• A new /integrate command-line switch to integrate software updates into your Windows installation source files.
• Changes to the /extract switch.

Microsoft creates software update packages by using several different self-extracting file formats that automatically run a Setup program that is included in the package. This article describes the new features that you can use with software update packages that use Update.exe version 5.4.15.0 or a later version as the Setup program.

To determine whether a software update package uses Update.exe as the Setup program, and what version it uses, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the package, and then click Properties.
2. On the Version tab under the Other Version Information heading, select Installer Engine. The value should be update.exe.
3. To determine the Update.exe version, select Installer Version. The value field will show the version of Update.exe used in the package.

For packages released before July 2004, follow these steps to determine whether Update.exe is used and what version of Update.exe is used:

1. Extract the software update package to a unique temporary folder. For example, to extract the files for an update package that is named KBArticleNumber.exe to a folder that is named ExtractedPackage on drive C, type the following at a command prompt:

   KBArticleNumber /X:C:\ExtractedPackage

2. Open the temporary folder that contains the extracted files for the software update package. For example, open C:\ExtractedPackage.
3. If the Update.exe file is present, continue to steps 4 and 5. If the Update.exe file is not present, this package is not a Windows software update that uses Update.exe as the Setup program.
4. To determine the version of Update.exe, right-click the Update.exe file in the folder, and then click Properties.
5. Click the Version tab, and then note the value on the File version line.