972493 Update for Server Manager x64 edition - WSUS says its required by computers, but those computers don't get it

[Bruce Sanderson]

WSUS 3.0 SP2 (Version 3.2.7600.226) says that update 972493 is required by
several servers running Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit edition, but none of
those computers ever install it - these servers do not have WSUS installed -
WSUS is used to manage updates for them.

Even though WSUS says this update is "required", "Check for updates" in
Windows Update on those computers reports no updates are available. There
is no evidence that 972493 that I can see that this update was ever
installed on those computers.

So, if WSUS is saying this update is required, why are no servers it is
"required" for receiving and installing it?

[Lawrence Garvin [MVP]]

Post by Bruce Sanderson
WSUS 3.0 SP2 (Version 3.2.7600.226) says that update 972493 is required by
several servers running Windows Server 2008 R2 64 bit edition, but none of
those computers ever install it - these servers do not have WSUS
installed - WSUS is used to manage updates for them.

Bruce.. this one has been beat to death... it's the same conversation as
you'll find under the WSUS v3 SP1 Dynamic Installer discussions from last
spring, summer, and fall.

The update is reported as "Not Installed" because WSUS /COULD/ be installed
on those machines, if you chose to do so -- just like SILVERLIGHT could be
installed on those machines, if you chose to do so. (I imagine neither will
be installed on the majority of Windows Server 2008 systems.) The only
reason you have this update in your catalog is because you've enabled the
product category for the WSUS Dynamic Installer.

Post by Bruce Sanderson
Even though WSUS says this update is "required",

No... WSUS *never* says an update is "required" (sic). Neither the WUAgent,
nor WSUS, report "required" as a state. They report NOT INSTALLED, as a
state -- a simple fact, not a recommendation, suggestion, or implication of
any action that should be taken on the part of an administrator.

Post by Bruce Sanderson
"Check for updates" in Windows Update on those computers reports no
updates are available.

Yes.. because those updates are not available via the web-based *consumer*
oriented front-ends (although if you configure a Windows Server 2008 system
to use Automatic Updates and choose to install the WSUS role, that server
will get the content from "Microsoft Update".)

Post by Bruce Sanderson
There is no evidence that 972493 that I can see that this update was ever
installed on those computers.

That is correct. It won't be unless you choose to install WSUS on those
servers using Server Manager.

Post by Bruce Sanderson
So, if WSUS is saying this update is required, why are no servers it is
"required" for receiving and installing it?

Because it's a DYNAMIC INSTALLER. :-)

If you do not plan on deploying additional WSUS servers to Windows Server
2008 then you can ignore this update (just as I presume you're doing for
Silverlight), or even DECLINE (which you cannot do for Silverlight as it's a
multi-platform package).

You should probably also unselect the product category for WSUS and Server
Manager dynamic installers.