Windows Patching Helper 🛠️

📖 About the Project

Windows Patching Helper is a desktop Windows Forms application designed to automate and streamline the deployment of updates (.msu files) across multiple servers simultaneously.

This project was born out of a need to optimize daily administrative tasks. Manually logging into every server, copying files, and triggering updates was time-consuming and error-prone. This tool allows for managing the entire process from a single dashboard, significantly reducing the time required for "Patch Tuesday" maintenance windows.

📸 Application Overview

🚀 Key Features

1. Server Management & Diagnostics

• Active Directory Integration: Automatic retrieval of computer lists from the domain.
• Health Check: Rapid verification of key parameters for multiple machines simultaneously:
  • 🕒 Uptime and Timezone.
  • 💾 Free space on the system drive (C:).
  • 🖥️ Operating System version.
  • 📅 List of recently installed updates (Hotfixes).

2. Update Automation (Patching)

• Mass File Transfer: Parallel transfer of .msu files to local server drives (C$\Temp).
• Remote Installation: Utilization of Windows Task Scheduler and PowerShell to execute silent installations on remote machines.
• Status Monitoring: Live monitoring to determine if an installation is in progress (wusa.exe process) or if a reboot is pending (Windows Registry analysis).
• Cleanup: Remote deletion of installation files after the process is complete.

3. Administrative Tools & Security

• Quick RDP: Automatic login to selected servers (credential injection) for manual intervention.
• Safe Reboot / Security Compliance: * The tool includes a remote reboot procedure with a triple-confirmation safety mechanism to prevent accidental shutdowns.
  • Note: Direct remote reboot features are implemented via code but can be toggled off (Feature Flag) to comply with strict internal security policies, prioritizing RDP access instead.

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⚙️ Technology Stack

The project was built using C# (.NET) and Windows Forms. It leverages advanced system mechanisms:

• WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation): Querying remote machine status (Disk, OS, Processes).
• System.DirectoryServices: Communication with Active Directory.
• Task Scheduler API: Executing PowerShell scripts on remote machines with NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM privileges.
• Multithreading (Async/Await): Ensuring the UI remains responsive while processing operations on hundreds of servers.

💡 What I Learned

Building this tool allowed me to deepen my knowledge in:

1. IT Process Automation: Converting repetitive manual tasks into "one-click" solutions.
2. Windows Server Administration: Understanding the mechanics of Windows Updates, the Registry, and remote services.
3. Error Handling in Distributed Systems: Managing edge cases such as offline servers or permission restrictions.

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Project Status: Completed / Production Version 1.2