Registry change for Windows Updates XP Pro 2

[golflover]

I want to change the Windows Update settings on my users PC's using WinXP Pro in some kind of no brainer install. Anyone have any ideas? I was curious if there was a way to do this through a registry change.

 

[BrainSurgery]

Open your registry and find or create the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU

Create the required DWORD values from the list below:

Value: NoAutoUpdate

0 - Enable Automatic Updates (Default)
1 - Disable Automatic Updates

Value: AUOptions
2 - Notify for download and notify for install
3 - Auto download and notify for install
4 - Auto download and schedule the install

Value: ScheduledInstallDay
0 - Install every day
1 to 7 - Install on specific day of the week from Sunday (1) to Saturday (7).

Value: ScheduledInstallTime
0 to 23 - Install time of day in 24-hour format
Restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

Or did you have anything else on your mind?

 

[golflover]

That's exactly what I was looking for... Thanks, I will try it out.

 

[golflover]

Thanks BS it worked great, but one more question. Is it possible to not have any user intervention? I am referring to the prompt of the countdown for the install to begin. The user can answer "no" to allow the installation to occur - I don't want them to have this option. I just want the updates to go!! Thanks.

 

[BrainSurgery]

Yes.

NoAutoUpdate = 0
AUOptions = 4
ScheduledInstallDay = 0 (?)
ScheduledInstallTime = (fill in a number between 0 - 23)

This way the updates should be automatically downloaded and installed on the time schedule that you specify without user intervention.

Don´t take my answer for it, but I think this should work

 

[golflover]

These are the settings that I was using, but you will still receive a message which states...

"Windows is ready to begin installing the updates available for your computer.

Do you want Windows to install the Updates now?
(Installation will start if no action is taken within 5:00 minutes)"

This is the prompt I would like to avoid if at all possible. Any ideas?

 

[BrainSurgery]

Can you confirm that AUOptions is set to 4 and that the computers actually are using this value?

It should not do any notifications at all when using this value. But as in other parts of the life, theory and practice often crashes ... hmm

 

[bcastner]

See:

http://www.susserver.com/Articles/AU-AutoUpdateGroupPolicy.asp

or generally this wonderful site about SuS. Read the FAQ and Article links:

http://www.susserver.com/

I does not matter if you are not using SuS (although recommended by me. It is a terrific freeware from Microsoft).