After reading about it recently in the PCMech Blog, here: http://pcmech.com/blog.php?blogid=45  I decided to check out AutoPatcher v5.1. This program bundles all of Microsoft’s Windows Updates, as well as other useful extras and add-ons into one easy to use package. No longer do you have to go to the Windows Update website for hours on end to update a new system or a recently reformatted one. With AutoPatcher, you can update the entire system in minutes. Read on to learn more.

Extraction takes a few minutes, because the hefty (257MB) download file is full of other update files. When the installation is complete, you can run AutoPatcher to update the system, and choose to add a desktop and/or start menu icon. Because I have the full August release, the latest as of this writing, AutoPatcher contains all of the official Microsoft updates plus any of the latest extras through the August release date. There were 232 total updates and add-ons in this release.

The updates are broken down into six categories:

1. Microsoft Critical Updates


2. Microsoft Recommended Updates


3. Microsoft Windows Update Components


4. Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage 


5. Windows Add-Ons


6. Registry Tweaks

Being the update conscious computer user I am, (actually I just keep Auto Update turned on), I was nearly updated for my Critical files. I was missing only three of the 50 listed. Anything shown in blue was found already installed on the system. Gray items are not installed. I only had a few of the Recommended fixes/updates installed, so I went ahead and left the all of the others checked for the sake of being as current with Windows as possible.

As you peruse the list of various updates and fixes, you may wonder exactly what “Update for Windows XP (KB903234)” does. Well, glance down to the bottom of the Window for a brief description. Longer descriptions are cut off, even when I drag the window open. But merely clicking on “Module Details,” presents a full summary of the update, including a link to Microsoft’s explanation website.

Updated Components contains items such as the .NET frameworks, Media Player 10, Windows Update version 6, etc. Since I only had three of the dozen or so items, I left the default checks for only the few that would be more useful.

I appreciated that only the useful updates were already selected for updating, and that AutoPatcher did not just automatically assume I wanted all the possible updates. I’m sure some could argue the necessity of some files over others, but I felt that the program’s creators were smart to leave it up to the user to decide what was needed. I could really tell that this was an app geared toward the power user, yet still simple enough for any PC enthusiast to use, and use often.

Windows Genuine Advantage was unchecked by default and I left it that way. It won’t take much Googling to find out why.

Windows Add-ons are mostly Powertoys from Microsoft such as TweakUI (see my past review for more on that) or Clear Type. There are also cosmetic enhancements; wallpapers, screensavers, and the “Royale” theme, which anyone with a Media Center Edition computer will find familiar. This area also contains some necessary updates for new systems; DirectX 9.0c, Flash Player and Sun Java. None of the options in this area are enabled already, so you can choose any and everything you would like.

The final area is for registry tweaks. There are four categories; Appearance, Functionality, Security and Speed. The first two contain a myriad of minute tweaks that could be useful, but some of the speed and security options were a bit vague. For instance “Speed Up Internet Explorer” was described as “This will speed up performance of Internet Explorer”. Needless to say I left that option unchecked.

So once all of your selections are made, click Update. I installed 54 updates, which was estimated to take 25 minutes, but only took about 20. A restart is required and automatically happens after 60 seconds. While I look forward to the day restarts are not required for updates, this way you only have one restart for all updates, instead of the usual half-dozen needed using Windows Update online. Anyone who is looking for a faster and easier way to update Windows, either a reformatted system or building a dozen for a business, should check out AutoPatcher: http://www.autopatcher.com/