Update information
Automatic approval of definition updates
In a Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2-based domain, client computers can obtain definition updates from Update Services. Definition updates include Windows Defender updates, Microsoft Exchange Server phishing filters, and other maintenance updates. Currently, the definition updates that have arrived remain in the
Waiting for Review node. Administrators must manually approve these definition updates. However, definition updates may be released very frequently. Therefore, you may have to use lots of administrative resources to manually approve these definition updates. Additionally, the installation of important definition updates may be delayed.
After you apply this update, Update Services automatically approves the definition updates that are in the Definition Updates category. This change in design reduces the need for administrative resources, helps secure the network, and improves efficiency when you manage updates.
Problems that this update fixes
Problem 1
When the update level is set to Low, Update Services is expected to automatically approve the updates that are in the Security Updates category. However, Update Services automatically approves only those updates that are in the Critical Updates category. After you apply this update, the automatic approval behavior for the Low update level works as expected. The following table describes how this hotfix changes the automatic approval behavior of all update levels:
| Update level | The automatic approval behavior before you apply this hotfix | The automatic approval behavior after you apply this hotfix |
|---|
| High | Automatically approves critical updates, security updates, and service packs. | Automatically approves critical updates, security updates, service packs, and definition updates. |
| Medium (Recommended) | Automatically approves critical updates and security updates, but not service packs. | Automatically approves critical updates, security updates, and definition updates, but not service packs. |
| Low | Automatically approves critical updates.
NoteIn this configuration, Update Services is expected to automatically approve security updates instead.
| Automatically approves security updates and definition updates, but not critical updates or service packs. |
| Notify only | Deletes the auto-approval rule for server updates. The detection rule remains in effect. Administrators can see what updates are available, and they can list the required updates. | No change. |
When the update level is set to Low, to Medium, or to High, definition updates will be automatically approved.
Problem 2
Consider the following scenario:
- You are using Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2.
- You have not upgraded Update Services to Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0.
In this scenario, some updates may not be synchronized as expected. Update Services does not synchronize product categories that have been recently created on Microsoft Update.
For example, assume that WSUS for Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 was installed before Windows Vista was released in November 2006. Even though the
All Microsoft Products category is selected in the WSUS Admin Console, the Windows Vista updates are not synchronized. This problem remains until you manually clear this category, and then you reselect it.
How to obtain this update
This update is available from the Windows Update Web site:
Prerequisites
To apply this hotfix, you must be running Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2.
Restart requirement
You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.
Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.
File information
The English version of this update has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.| File name | File version | File size | Date | Time | Platform |
|---|
| Autoapprove.exe | 5.2.3580.7 | 79,272 | 7-Aug-2007 | 14:55 | x86 |