The Automatic Updates Client Utility (wuauclt.exe) supports a few command line parameters. Some of them are documented, others not. Here are the ones I have found:
| Parameter | Explanation |
| /detectnow | Run a detection cycle |
| /a /resetauthorization | Resets the WSUS cookie. (If used together with /detectnow; /resetauthorization must be entered before /detectnow.) |
| /r /ReportNow | Sends all queued reporting events to the server asynchronously. |
| /RunHandlerComServer | |
| /RunStoreAsComServer | |
| /ShowSettingsDialog | Display the Windows Update settings dialogue |
| /ResetEulas | |
| /ShowWU | Open the Windows Update Control Panel Applet |
| /ShowWindowsUpdate | Open the Windows Update Control Panel Applet |
| /SelfUpdateManaged | |
| /SelfUpdateUnmanaged | |
| /UpdateNow | |
| /ShowWUAutoScan | Open Windows Update Control Panel Applet and scan for updates |
| /ShowFeaturedUpdates | Opens the Features Updates list |
| /ShowOptions | Opens the Windows Updates Settings window |
| /ShowFeaturedOptInDialog | Opens the OptIn dialogue for Featured Updates |
| /DemoUI | Display Windows Update notification in tray |
More info:
- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc708617(WS.10).aspx
- http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc720477(WS.10).aspx
One thing to be aware of when it comes to wuauclt.exe is that it has no desire or need whatsoever to inform you whether any of the parameters you submitted actually worked, or were even vaild! No matter what you supply as a parameter to wuauclt.exe you will get absolutely nothing back. So check your typing. You have been warned.
Remember that this log file is a great tool for troubleshooting wuauclt.
C:WINDOWSWindowsUpdate.log
Oddvar
if you are looking for a more powerful alternative to wuauclt.exe, you should have a look on http://wuinstall.com . it is also a command line to for managing windows updates, but with much more features.