How To - NTLite Download Updates Feature

[Clanger]

Extended guide on how to use NTLite's Updates Dowload feature

Introduction

First read the accompanying documentation here.

Since NTLite v1.7 there is the Download Updates feature, helping you to gather and maintain Windows updates with ease.

An active internet connection is needed because the update lists are maintained online by nuhi and scanned each time the tool is run so make sure that NTLite is allowed access through your firewall. The updates are downloaded directly from Microsoft servers.

You can download updates with an image loaded and enqueue them for integration or without an image loaded so you can integrate them later on.

The tool can check filehash/checksums to detect incomplete or corrupted downloads. This is recommended.

The supported Operating Systems are listed on the Features page, scroll down.

Defender updates are not included for now.

When an update is downloaded NTLite creates a sub directory in C:\Program Files\NTLite\Updates. Windows 10 updates are seperated by build numbers. NTLite uses a default location but you can change it in File - Settings - 'Update cache' on the main page toolbar.

6.1.SP1 is Windows 7 SP1
6.3.U3 is Windows 8.1 Update 3
10.0.1607 is Windows 10 1607 - 10.0.14393 Redstone 1 ‘Anniversary Update’, including LTSB 2016
10.0.1703 is Windows 10 1703 - 10.0.15063 Redstone 2 ‘Creators Update’
10.0.1709 is Windows 10 1709 - 10.0.16299 Redstone 3 ‘Fall Creators Update’
10.0.1803 is Windows 10 1803 - 10.0.17134 Redstone 4 'April 2018 Update'
10.0.1809 is Windows 10 1809 - 10.0.17763 Redstone 5 ‘October 2018 Update’, including LTSC 2018

 

[pmikep]

For grins I am starting with a fresh Win8.1 Pro. I have it loaded in NTLite and am using the Update Tool. In the "State" column, I noticed that some downloads are listed as "Downloaded" with a check mark next to them anyway. Others are listed "Existing - Downloaded" with no checkbox.

Seems to me that both are the same. They've been downloaded. So what don't I understand here? Never mind. It turns out that I had mistakenly modified my base iso (even tho I have it titled "KEEP") and that modified ISO already had some KB's in it.


Also, I will renew my request for a global checkbox that says "Do not select missing Updates." That's because I purposely do not download every update. (I don't need KB's for Secure Boot (freezes NTLite, Surface, etc.) And so I don't enable them in the download list. But every time I come back to the list, as I'm doing today, those Missing items are automatically selected for download by NTLite. And then I have to go through and uncheck them, 'cause I still don't want them.

 

[ceo54]

What if the updates also need to be integrated into boot.wim and Winre.wim ? does the NTLite integrates the updates in those images too, if the update package contains the elements for those images ?

 

[nuhi]

What if the updates also need to be integrated into boot.wim and Winre.wim ? does the NTLite integrates the updates in those images too, if the update package contains the elements for those images ?

You can automate boot.wim integration on the Apply page, or load it like any other image, it is listed on the Source page.
For WinRE there is no automated option yet, so you would need to load it yourself from within the image (Explore Mount Directory), it's the:
.\Windows\System32\Recovery\winre.wim

Will add an option to do that in sequence like for boot.wim in one of the next versions.
If you get any issue mounting it directly from a mount, then copy it aside first and return back after integrating. This can be automated with scripts, including NTLite operation, see ntlite /?

 

[pmikep]

I don't know if I should start a new topic or ask here in a reply. Question: What will NTLite's Update feature do after MS stops officially supporting Win7?

For example, say that I have NTLite check for Updates for Win7 in March 2020, after MS support has stopped? Will NTLite be able to query a Microsoft server? Will nuhi mirror the last list of updates? (That is, will updates still be available?)

And what happens if a user clicks the "Trim" button? Will NTlite say "Hey, there are no more official updates, so I'm deleting all the updates that you previously downloaded"?

 

[crypticus]

I don't know if I should start a new topic or ask here in a reply. Question: What will NTLite's Update feature do after MS stops officially supporting Win7?

For example, say that I have NTLite check for Updates for Win7 in March 2020, after MS support has stopped? Will NTLite be able to query a Microsoft server? Will nuhi mirror the last list of updates? (That is, will updates still be available?)

And what happens if a user clicks the "Trim" button? Will NTlite say "Hey, there are no more official updates, so I'm deleting all the updates that you previously downloaded"?

another question will ntlite support enterprise updates untill 2023

 

[nuhi]

pmikep, when MS stops adding updates for something, it's simple enough to leave it in the updates list, so I won't be removing Win7 updates of course. It's a bit different with older Win10s, they keep on updating those and no one is using it, that is not worth the trouble.

ege914, if Win7 base keeps getting updates, be it just for Enterprise if it works on Client OS, I'll continue maintaining those as it's an important platform, unlike Win10 1507, 1511, 1703, 1709, and soon 1803, those won't be getting updates as newer Windows ISO base is like an update to them that has no downsides.

 

[Clanger]

LTSB+C users will be alright then.

 

[garlin]

Win7 updates newer than January 2020 are only available for Extended Security Update (ESU) licensees -- which is a yearly subscription paid to MSFT service partners. While you can manually search for them on Microsoft Update Catalog, you'd have be licensed or use the obviously not legal bypass to install.

What delivery options are available for Extended Security Updates? ​

The updates will be delivered through all the usual update delivery processes, including SCCM Current Branch, WU, WUfB, and WSUS. The update will be programmed to look for the MAK activation on the endpoint, and it will install on only those systems together with the MAK key.​

That doesn't make clear if you can integrate ESU-branded patches, but it may be like more recent Dec/Jan rollups where it insists on a live install even after it was previously integrated. I think there's no worse case for not managing a ESU list, because it's most likely a small set of monthly rollups will catch up ESU users no matter how late they start. Also, you would need separate lists for pre- and post-EOS patch sets.

 

[Svan]

Hi,

Why KB 4598481 and KB 4601050 are available to integrate. Aren't they replaced respectively by KB5001649 and KB4601554 ?

 

[pmikep]

I just ran NTLIte v 2.1.0.7820 on my Win10 Home, just to see if I needed to do anything to my Win10.

When checking for updates, I noticed that a KB is labeled as a "Servicing Stack Update (Legacy). See text underlined in blue in the screen shot.

I'm wondering what the importance of the "(Legacy)" is? More specifically, do I need it? (I presume "Yes," else NTLite wouldn't have included it in the list of updates.)

Perhaps related to this question is the fact that NTLite offered me the latest Cumulative Update, which NTLite also said contained a Service Stack Update. (Yellow underlining.)

I didn't install either. But I don't know if I would need the Legacy Stack if I installed the lasted Stack.

I didn't see any documentation on the term (Legacy) after doing a quick search in the forums for Legacy Updates.

 

[Svan]

Normally you update with only one Stack Update and the most recent with the KB number is 5001649. All the code from the older one is inside the new one. And the same with ".Net Framework" but NTLite should not show them.

 

[DAT]

Hi i'm actualy facing this issue


i'm not ben abel to download any update need help please
Ntlite version 2.1.2.8074 x64Bit

 

[nuhi]

Hi i'm actualy facing this issue
View attachment 5162

i'm not ben abel to download any update need help please
Ntlite version 2.1.2.8074 x64Bit

Fixed in the meantime, let me know if still seeing the same.
Thanks.

 

[DAT]

Fixed in the meantime, let me know if still seeing the same.
Thanks.

ok working bak

 

[NoTRite]

I've never used this before because M$'s auto updates are too convenient.

Can NTLite download and apply updates automatically according to specific rules?

 

[garlin]

No. NTLite isn't a real patch manager. Some users prefer WUMT or another tool to keep updated patch lists. Just empty NTLite's Updates folder and copy over (or load) your downloads.