Command-line switches for the Update.

exe program

The following tables list the command-line switches that are supported by each different version of the Update.exe program.

Standard Versions of Update.exe that support

Description of the switch
switch this switch
/help Displays command-line help. Version 5.3.24.3 and later versions
support the /help switch. For compatibility
with older versions, the /? switch can be
used.
/passive Unattended Setup mode. No user interaction is required, but Version 5.3.24.3 and later versions
installation status is displayed. If a restart is required at the end support the /passive switch. For
of Setup, a dialog box will be presented to the user with a timer compatibility with older versions, the /u
warning that the computer will restart in 30 seconds. switch can be used.
/quiet Quiet mode - same as unattended mode, but no status or error Version 5.3.24.3 and later versions
messages are displayed. support the /quiet switch. For
compatibility with older versions, the /q
switch can be used.
/norestart Do not restart the computer when the installation is finished. Version 5.3.24.3 and later versions
support the /norestart switch. For
compatibility with older versions, the /z
switch can be used.
/warnrestart Presents a dialog box with a timer warning the user that the Version 6.1.22.0 and later versions
computer will restart in x seconds. (Default is 30 sec). Intended support the /warnrestart switch.
for use with either /quiet or /passive switches.
/forcerestart Restart the computer after installation and force other Version 5.3.24.3 and later versions
applications to close at shutdown without saving open files first. support the /forcerestart switch.
/promptrestart Presents a dialog box to prompt user to restart if required. Version 6.1.22.0 and later versions
Intended for use with /quiet. support the /promptrestart switch.
/forceappsclose Forces other programs to close when the computer shuts down. Version 5.4.15.0 and later versions
support the /forceappsclose switch. For
compatibility with older versions, the /f
switch can be used.
/nobackup Do not back up files for uninstall. Version 6.1.22.0 and later versions
support the /nobackup switch. For
compatibility with older versions, the /n
switch can be used.
/overwriteoem Overwrite OEM files without prompting. Version 6.1.22.0 and later versions
support the /overwriteoem switch. For
compatibility with older versions, the /o
switch can be used.
/integrate:path Integrates the software updates into the Windows installation Version 5.4.15.0 and later versions
source files located at the path specified. Note that :path refers support the /integrate:path switch. For
to the folder that contains the i386 folder. compatibility with older versions, the /s
switch can be used.
/log:path Allows user to specify where to create the log file. Version 6.1.22.0 and later versions
support the /log switch.
/ER Enable extended error reporting. All versions support the ER switch.
/verbose Enable verbose logging. Creates %Windir%\CabBuild.log upon Version 5.3.24.3 and later versions
install that details files to be copied. Using this switch may support the /verbose switch. For
cause the installation to occur much slower. compatibility with older versions, the /v
switch can be used.
/d:path Specifies a backup directory for Windows Service Pack This switch is not available for updates
installation. :path indicates the destination folder for the backup other than Service Packs and is available
files. The default backup location is %Systemdrive%\ only in Installer versions 5.3.16.5 and later
 $ntservicepackuninstall$. versions.
/extract[:path] Extracts files without starting Setup. If ":path" is not included, Version 5.3.24.3 and later versions
you are prompted for the path of a destination folder to extract support the /extract switch. For
the files. If ":path" is used, the files are extracted to the specified compatibility with older versions, the /x
destination folder. switch can be used.
/ Disables hotpatching functionality, and installs the cold patch This is only to be used for Windows
hotpatch:disabl only. Server 2003 packages that support
e hotpatching and is available in versions
6.1.22.0 and later. For more information
on hotpatching, see the "References"
section in this article for a link to the
"Inside Update.exe" whitepaper.

Command-line switches for the Hotfix.exe

program
The following table lists the command-line switches that are supported by the Hotfix.exe program.
Command-line
Description
switch
/f Force other programs to quit at shutdown
/l List installed software updates
/m Unattended mode
/n Do not back up files for uninstallation
/q Quiet mode - no user interaction required
/y Perform uninstallation (must be used with
/m or /q)
/z Do not restart the computer after the
installation