Alternative to Windows Update

[Mark D. VandenBeg]

Shavlik has made their system analyzer free as a trial. It can scan one
computer or a network, identify missing updates or patches and is fairly
inclusive of software installed, meaning it doesn't just work for Windows
components, but many third party software applications, as well. It also
includes a malware scanner that can be similarly deployed across a network.

Check it out here:

http://www.shavlik.com/netchk_analyzer.aspx

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Have you used on Vista x64 also?

 

[Mark D. VandenBeg]

I have not. Only x86 with good results, although because both of my Vista
installs are "testside" only, I don't have many other applications loaded.
I will try this on x64 tonight.

Also, against my better judgment, I deployed it on my tiny home network and
it worked flawlessly. The GUI is a little clunky and not intuitive, but the
results are there.

 

[Mark D. VandenBerg]

No, Colin. I can get the program itself to install to x64 Vista, after
installing .Net 1.1 and MSXML 4.0, with two reboots. Then another reboot to
get the Start Menu shortcuts to work. But it crashes when I enter the
Product Key, and it won't even scan without the key. So, nope, not in x64

 

[Mark D. VandenBerg]

No, Colin. I can get the program itself to install to x64 Vista, after
installing .Net 1.1 and MSXML 4.0, with two reboots. Then another reboot to
get the Start Menu shortcuts to work. But it crashes when I enter the
Product Key, and it won't even scan without the key. So, nope, not in x64

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Thanks. Maybe it has a 16 bit installer. A lot of programs would run in
x64 if only the installer was 32bit.