Custom Updates Publishing Tool rules created in the Create Update Wizard can be created from the Define Prerequisite Rules, Define Applicability Rules, and Define Installed Rules pages. The following procedure provides the steps necessary to create a new rule from the Create Update Wizard.
To create a new rule from the Create Update Wizard
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In the Custom Updates Publishing Tool console, start the Create Update Wizard by performing one of the following actions:
- Right-click any tree node item, and then click Create
Update.
- In the Action pane, click Create Update.
- On the Action menu item, click Create Update.
- Right-click any tree node item, and then click Create
Update.
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Go to the Define Prerequisite Rules, Define Applicability Rules, or Define Installed Rules page of the wizard where the Expression Builder displays. The following briefly describes each rule category:
- Prerequisite Rules: Higher-level rules used as an
initial check to verify that the custom update is needed on the
client. For example, the rule might define a specific operating
system; however, if the client has a different operating system
installed, the custom update is not needed on that client.
- Applicability Rules: Rules used to determine whether the
software update is applicable to a specific client. For example,
the rule might define a specific file with a file version less than
a specific value. If the client has the file with a version less
than the specified value, the custom update is applicable.
- Installed Rules: Rules used to determine whether the
custom update is already installed on the client. For example, the
rule might define a specific file with a specific file version. If
the client has the file with the specified version, the custom
update is already installed on the client and no longer needed.
- Prerequisite Rules: Higher-level rules used as an
initial check to verify that the custom update is needed on the
client. For example, the rule might define a specific operating
system; however, if the client has a different operating system
installed, the custom update is not needed on that client.
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Click the Add Rule icon, and in the Add Rule dialog box, configure the new rule by performing the following options:
- Select from the following rule categories:
Create Basic rule: Basic rules check for a specific file, file version, registry key, and so on. There are over 20 rule types available for basic rules. For more information, see Basic Rules.
Create MSI rule: Used most often for prerequisite verification because MSI-based (Windows Installer) updates auto-populate applicability and installed rules for verification. Windows Installer rules check for a specific software update, product, component, or feature. For more information, see MSI Rules.
Use existing rule: Uses a previously created rule. The properties for the rule can be modified, if required.
- Choose the Rule Type from the drop-down list. The rule
types for the specified rule category are listed.
- Specify whether the rule is a Not rule. When the
Inventory Tool for Custom Updates evaluates a Not rule, the logical
result is reversed. See Not Rules for more
information.
- Configure the properties for the specified rule type.
Information about each rule type is available in the Custom Updates
Publishing Tool Rule Types section.
- Specify a name for the rule in the Save your rule as
text box to reuse the rule.
- Select from the following rule categories:
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Repeat step 3 to create multiple rules. From the Expression Builder, rules can be moved up or down in the list, deleted, or logically grouped. Each group has the And or Or operator. For more information, see How to Use the Expression Builder.