The following list of patches is a list that should be applied to any new Windows 8.1 or 2012 R2 installation or any installation that has not been updated in some time due to the increased number of patches available for these OS' that up until a recent update to the Windows update agent has caused these OS' to drag their feet when trying to check for updates with or without Barracuda RMM.
It has been found that even when trying to install the standalone/offline packages, the windows update standalone installer still tries to check for updates and can hinder the process, to work around this, there are two options:
- Disconnect the system from the internet so that it can't reach windows update.
- Stop the Windows Update Service prior to attempting the installation, and configure a proxy to 127.0.0.1 in Control Panel > Internet Options > Connections > Lan Settings.
The list
- May 2014 servicing stack update for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 - Required to install KB2919355.
- Error 0x80071a91 when installing update 2919355 in Windows - Required to prevent failures installing KB2919355.
- Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 update: April 2014 - Required by the next April 2015 servicing stack update.
- April 2015 servicing stack update for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 - Required for most updates post April 2015.
- Referencing the new Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 update history you will need to apply the July, August, and then the latest rollup as it will include patches from the September rollup going forward.
- July 2016 update rollup for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 - This includes the latest Windows Update agent from June 2016 which addresses performance issues and long check-in times, etc. This may be the most important update in this list.
- August 2016 update rollup for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2
- Whatever the latest rollup is.