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In the old c|net forums, I mentioned the service of Pedestals' Security Expression Webscan when LarryD posted a question if there are other ways to find out for missing security patches. I'm glad that LarryD finally
spend some of his time in trying Pedestals' webscan and shared the useful service by posting it.
Today, I downloaded and installed a program called HFNetChkPro Limited Edition. It is a free patch management utility. Once installed, it will scan your system for missing patches and install missing patches (you'll hit download button) if any missing security patches were detected. It is free ![]()
Pedestal SecurityExpression vs HFNetChkLT
Pedestal SecurityExpression is a web-scan (means a browser and internet connection is needed). It will scan your system for missing patches and will provide a detailed report for missing patches, installed patches or errors. It will not install the patches. However a link to missing security patch is provided.
HFNetChkPro Limited Edition as I mentioned earlier, is a patch management utility. Once installed, it will scan the system(s) for missing security patches. If a security patch is missing, users will see the patch details (a download link then HFNetChkPro will automatically install the patches for you. No need to visit MS site to download the file
. It allows you to scan an unlimited number of machines as well as to perform unlimited patch deployments to ten (10) machines and one (1) server. As per their site, the author of the popular Microsoft Network Security Hotfix Checker (HFNetChk.exe) of Microsoft is designed by the author of HFNetChkPro (Shavlik)
Difference of HFNetChkPro and Pedestal webscan from Windows Update - I have no idea
but as per HFNetChkLT help file:
1. Windows Update focuses only on Critical security updates and does not typically cover Low, Moderate, or Important security updates from Microsoft. (Aha! Got 'em LOL) HFNetChkPro solutions cover all security updates, regardless of criticality rating.
2. More products - HFNetChkPro solutions cover SQL Server (and MSDE), Exchange, ISA, NT4, and Office detection. Windows Update does not.
3. Non-security updates and drivers - Windows Update includes Microsoft non-security updates and drivers. Shavlik?s solutions cover security updates only.
4. Agents - Shavlik's HFNetChkPro solutions do not require that an agent be installed on target machines, but Windows Update does. Agentless patch management means simplified rollout and increased awareness of rogue machines on your network.
Please note that HFNetChkPro and Pedestals' SecurityExpression requires Windows 2000, XP and 2003.
Just sharing,
Donna ![]()

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