Auto-Update Third Party Programs

the_Grinch

We're running into an issue with updating third party apps on the conference room PCs. Some (such as Mozilla Firefox) allow for the auto-updating, but others (Java, Flash) have to be done manually (or just download, but won't install without user interaction). Anyone use a tool to allow these updates to happen automatically without any user interaction? Or know of a method to allow them to auto-update without user interaction?

Geronimo

I'm pretty sure you can run ninite with a script.
https://ninite.com/

the_Grinch

Geronimo you rock! I've set it up as a scheduled task and I believe we are good to go! This will get the VP off us about these programs not being up to date, even though we've explained they lacked the ability to auto update.

Geronimo

I'm glad I could help.

RomBUS

Wow Geronimo you've actually helped me in a way as well...I've used this program a while ago and completely forgot the name when I stopped using it. I remember using this application to package typical installs for new PCs out of the box when I didnt have access to network resources. Awesome tool, thanks for the reminder Geronimo.

the_Grinch

You don't realize how much this had saved me. If I had to hear about Java updates one more time when we are in the middle of moving servers that host the website I was going to snap. Setup a scheduled task to run at 6 PM every night, problem solved! Now I can back to the important things!

higherho

I would look into a management software to perform your 3rd party updates. Were I work, were not allowed to automatically download / install anything. It either has to be done by a program such as WSUS / SCCM and the administrator has to approve them. It is also considered a security risk. Ask your boss to spend money into SCCM or something nice and have fun !

Everyone

What higherho said... Been a long time since I've had those responsibilities (it was still called SMS back then). That other tool is nice and all, but it isn't for the Enterprise. Doesn't look like it has any kind of reporting. Managing what is and isn't installed is an important task. An important part of that is simply knowing what is installed. Once you have a good idea of what is installed and in use across your network, should everything out there actually be installed? Do you have proper licensing for everything? Are you prepared to deploy updates/patches for everything?

the_Grinch

This is mainly a stop gap till we decide how far we'd like to go. Their professional version offers reporting/monitoring so we've had lose discussions about it. The main issue is with these being conference room pcs, they weren't being updated (in regards to third party apps, Windows updates were running as scheduled) because they aren't being used as much. In the case of Java and Flash, they will do the automatic download, but the install is a manual process. We've worked with the users on knowing to run those updates, but with the conference room PCs it was a bit of a different story. Our other main hangup is that we do not have access/control of the network and active directory. The University's IT Department controls it all so are hands are tied in that respect. I'm an IT Support Specialist for one of the schools within the University and IRT doesn't always play nice with others