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Using Dynamic Update for updated drivers and other setup files

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Using Dynamic Update for updated drivers and other setup files

If you have a working Internet connection on the computer on which you run Setup, you can choose Dynamic Update during Setup and obtain the most up-to-date Setup files, including drivers and other files. Whenever an important update is made to any crucial Setup file, that update is made available through Dynamic Update functionality built into the Windows Update Web site. Some of the updated files will be replacements (for example, an updated driver or updated Setup file) and some will be additions (for example, a driver not available at the time that the Setup CD was created). It is recommended that you use Dynamic Update when running Setup.

Dynamic Update has been carefully designed so that it is reliable and easy to use:

  • The files on the Dynamic Update section of the Windows Update Web site have been carefully tested and selected. Only files that are important in ensuring that Setup runs well are made available through Dynamic Update. Files with minor updates that will not significantly affect Setup are not part of Dynamic Update.

  • Because Dynamic Update downloads only the files that are required for your computer, the Dynamic Update software briefly examines your computer hardware. No personal information is collected, and no information is saved. The only purpose is to select appropriate drivers for your hardware configuration. This keeps the download as short as possible and ensures that only necessary drivers are downloaded to your hard disk.

  • You can use Dynamic Update when running a preinstallation compatibility check from the product CD, or when running Setup itself. Either way, you obtain the most up-to-date files for running Setup. For information about running the compatibility check, see Hardware compatibility.

  • You can use Dynamic Update with unattended Setup. Preparing for this requires several steps. For a brief description of unattended Setup, see Planning for unattended Setup. For details about how to use Dynamic Update with unattended Setup (also called automated installation), see Automating and Customizing Installations at the Microsoft Windows Server System Web site. For information about the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit, see Using the Windows Deployment and Resource Kits.

The Windows Update Web site offers a variety of updates that you can use after completing Setup. For more information, see Windows Update at the Microsoft Web site. For a description of the different ways you can use Windows Update, see Windows Update.