The Package Installer (Formerly Known as Update.exe) for Microsoft Windows Operating Systems and Windows Components Abstract

  • Article

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

This paper is written for IT administrators who install service packs and other software updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems and Windows components.

The package installer was formerly known as Update.exe. However, the package installer actually includes a number of files in addition to the file Update.exe. Throughout this paper, it is referred to as the package installer because this is a more accurate term.

Installing updates is normally an automated process. However, it might be necessary for you to understand the package installer and the software update installation process in detail so that you can make informed decisions about your software update deployments.

This paper provides the following information:

  • Overview of the software update installation process

  • Descriptions of the contents and structure of a software update package

  • Methods you can use to deploy software updates

  • Explanation of how you can remove software updates

  • Approaches you can use to troubleshoot problems that can arise when you install software updates.

For more information about this topic, see The Package Installer (Formerly Known as Update.exe) for Microsoft Windows Operating Systems and Windows Components.