Why would I use 'Custom Fixes'?

The Custom Fix feature …

• …is primarily meant for deploying self-contained executables (patches) for software that UpdateEXPERT doesn't currently support, that will install quietly from a single command line, with optional switches (See #2 and #3 below). This is useful for:

1. New patches not yet known in the UpdateEXPERT Remediation database

2. Unsupported application patches beyond the scope of UpdateEXPERT

3. In-house patches for in-house software

• …supports Agentless ( 6.0 forward ) and Leaf-Agent targets ( 6.2 forward ).

• …is used with the Locate command for finding your own self-extracting installation file, batch file, or silent executable.

• …cannot be checked off as a "Required Update". Instead, you must select machine(s) and deploy the Custom-Fix.

• …allows creating your own detection logic for applications not detected by UpdateEXPERT. This can help determine what and where applications are installed. (See #4 below).

•  …can be used for some ad-hoc tasks (See #1 below) like:

Stopping/Starting services

Pushing a *.bat file, and files required by the *.bat file (this is powerful)

Pushing a registry change

Scheduled Rebooting

• If you are new to Custom Fix, see:

Example of Creating and Installing a Custom Fix for a Patch

Other Custom-Fix Examples

The "Custom Fix" feature allows the following:

  1) Running a simple command, or pushing a script (*.bat, *.vbs) over to one or more targets

• Stopping & Starting Telnet or some other simple service with a command (simplest example)

• Stopping & Starting Services with a *.bat file (a couple more things to know)

• Pushing a Registry change using a *.bat file (tip on doing this)

• Getting File Attributes (filesize, timestamp) from Targets

• Rebooting one or more machines at a scheduled date/time

  2) Pushing patches to targets

• Deploying a patch with user specified command line switches

  3) Pushing user specified files and executables (packages) to targets

• To Resolve MS03-043 not Detected as Installed

• IE6SP1 in an isolated network using a self-extracting zip file

• Adding a User Account with a Visual Basic custom fix

• MSI installation of Flash Player 8,  MSI un-installation of Flash Player 8

  4) Creating your own detection logic for applications not supported by UpdateEXERT Query

• Detecting the Acrobat Reader 6.0 executable

Remember: The Custom Fix feature is primarily designed for single, self-contained executables that will install quietly from a single command line with optional switches.

See "Help | Contents", "Custom Fixes" topic in UpdateEXPERT Console for Custom Fix information.

Tip: if you know the Q-number of an update, you can directly access the related Microsoft article in your browser. Go to the bottom of Researching Updates and look at the screen shot. This can be useful if you want to download an update directly from Microsoft.