Effortless Windows Updates with This Open-Source Tool

For Windows users, the constant interruptions from update notifications can be incredibly frustrating. You’re immersed in a critical task when suddenly, Microsoft’s update alerts force you to restart or stall your work with a never-ending loading screen as updates are prepared. The traditional Windows Update process has built a reputation for being intrusive, unreliable, and largely beyond the user’s control.

Imagine a different experience: a more streamlined and user-friendly method for managing updates. Enter a powerful duo: PSWindowsUpdate accompanied by UpdGUI. This open-source combination empowers users with granular control over update installations, offering a solution that respects your workflow while ensuring your system remains secure and current. With this setup, you can finally say farewell to unwanted reboots and embrace updates that fit your schedule.

Setting Up PSWindowsUpdate and UpdGUI

Control Updates with This Easy Setup

Better update control using PSWindowsUpdate paired with UpdGUI — Screenshot by Jayric Maning – no attributions required

Establishing this effective update management system involves a few straightforward steps, taking only about 5 to 10 minutes to complete. All you need is PSWindowsUpdate and UpdGUI. If you’ve already implemented controls over your Windows updates, be sure to only use the Pause updates feature located in the settings panel, as disabling the Windows Update Service can adversely affect your system.

Installing the PSWindowsUpdate Module

Begin by launching PowerShell as an administrator. You can do this quickly by pressing Windows key + X to open the hidden start menu, then selecting Terminal (Admin). Alternatively, right-click the Start button, search for “PowerShell, ”and press Enter. In the PowerShell window that appears, enter the following command:

Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Force

This command allows the PSWindowsUpdate module to function correctly while ensuring other scripts remain secure. Next, to install the module, run:

Install-Module -Name PSWindowsUpdate -Force

This command fetches the module from Microsoft’s PowerShell Gallery and installs it automatically. If prompted about installing from an untrusted repository, simply respond with “Y”to proceed, as the PowerShell Gallery is a legitimate resource.

After installation, load the module into your current PowerShell session with:

Import-Module PSWindowsUpdate

You can confirm the installation by checking the available commands with:

Get-Command -Module PSWindowsUpdate

If the commands display correctly, you are ready to use the module via PowerShell. However, if you prefer a graphical interface, UpdGUI is an excellent complement to the PSWindowsUpdate module.

Getting UpdGUI Ready

UpdGUI provides a graphical front-end that simplifies access to PSWindowsUpdate for all users. To get started, download the latest version from the official GitHub repository. The tool is packaged as a single PowerShell script file, ensuring installation is as easy as downloading and executing it.

Save the updgui.ps1 file in a convenient directory, such as your Documents folder or Desktop. There’s no installation process or system file modifications required, as the script is portable and can even be stored on a USB drive for easy use. Remember to run it with administrative privileges in PowerShell when you’re ready to proceed.

Before your first run of UpdGUI, verify your PowerShell language mode with the following command in an administrative PowerShell window:

$ExecutionContext. SessionState. LanguageMode

The output should indicate “FullLanguage”for UpdGUI to function properly. If it shows “ConstrainedLanguage, ”you may need to adjust your PowerShell execution policies.

Using the Setup With Ease

Having completed the installation, you now have two robust methods for managing your Windows updates: a command-line approach offering extensive flexibility and automation or a user-friendly GUI that provides intuitive, point-and-click interaction.

Working with the GUI Interface

To launch UpdGUI, right-click on the updgui.ps1 file and select “Run with PowerShell, ”or open it from an administrative PowerShell session located in the UpdGUI folder with the command:

.\updgui.ps1

The interface showcases a tidy layout of update history and available updates, complete with checkboxes for your selection. You can quickly assess the titles, sizes, and importance of updates. To install, simply select the updates of interest and click the Install button to initiate the process.

As downloads and installations proceed, UpdGUI offers real-time updates on progress, providing clarity on what is happening, in stark contrast to Windows Update’s often vague progress indicators.

Using PowerShell Commands

The command-line interface excels for both straightforward tasks and elaborate filtering needs. For quick updates checking, employ:

Get-WindowsUpdate

This command returns detailed information on each update, including its size and its impact on your system. If you want to narrow it down to essential security updates, use:

Get-WindowsUpdate -Category "Security Updates"-Install -AcceptAll

This command guarantees your system’s protection against known vulnerabilities while avoiding potential instability from other types of updates.

For driver updates specifically, use:

Get-WindowsUpdate -Category "Drivers"

This lets you review available hardware updates prior to installation. Given that some driver updates can enhance performance while others might cause compatibility concerns, ensure that updates are applied at an opportune time.

To install all updates except drivers, run:

Get-WindowsUpdate -NotCategory "Drivers"-Install -AcceptAll

This method effectively prevents compatibility issues while ensuring your system is up-to-date with essential security patches.

Taking Control of Your Updates

Having implemented the PSWindowsUpdate alongside UpdGUI for several months, I can’t envision reverting to the conventional update method. This setup provides a remarkable peace of mind. Gone are the worries that accompany sudden restarts; your computer operates on your schedule, not that of Microsoft’s. In an age where users often feel overwhelmed by major technology corporations, regaining control over such a critical aspect of your system is truly empowering.

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