MSU vs. EXE for .NET

Topic

New Reply

From the MS catalogue, a downloaded .NET Security Only patch can be either an MSU or EXE file.

If it is an EXE file does one have to stop the Windows Update process to do the installation the same way WU pocess has to be stopped to install the MSU file?

Reply | Quote

Replies

The .exe file should be a simple double click.
The .msu file uses the Windows Update Service to install, so you need to stop WUS to install manually.

1 user thanked author for this post.

212louis

Reply | Quote

PK,

Thanks, I kind of thought so but wanted to verify with someone who would know.

That leads to a follow up question. In these .NET Security Only updates, some are MSU’s and some are EXE’s (and of course, one has to jump through some hoops in trying to determine the correct .NET Security Only update that is right for each system. As I discovered, once the April 2017 .NET Security Only update is located in the catalogue, if the download button is clicked, 4-5 KB’s are offered for download. One has to go back a screen and click the Name of the update that was searched, then, click ‘More Information’ / Support, to determine the correct KB for your system. Just more annoyance from Richmond).

Bottom line, why aren’t they all MSU’s? After all, the .NET Security Only update is being retrieved from the Microsoft Update catalogue.

And thanks again.

Reply | Quote

212louis wrote:

Bottom line, why aren’t they all MSU’s? After all, the .NET Security Only update is being retrieved from the Microsoft Update catalogue.

You will have to pass that question to Microsoft!

Reply | Quote

As a general rule the msu files must be considered updates to Windows (.NET Framework versions that ship with it), as opposed to the exe files being updates to programs (optional .NET Framework versions). The msu file applies in any case, while applicability of the exe files depends on the presence of the respective higher .NET Framework version. The msu file is the basic indicator of a .NET Framework Rollup installed.

Regards, VZ

Reply | Quote