How To Force The SCCM 2007 Client To Download Windows Updates

Normally on a Windows client you use the wuauclt /detectnow command to force the client to get Windows Updates, but SCCM is a little different. To force an SCCM 2007 Client to get Windows Updates:

1. Open Configuration Manager from the Windows Control Panel
2. Click on the Actions tab
3. Select Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle, then click Initiate Action then wait 60 seconds
4. Select Software Updates Deployment Evaluation Cycle, then click Initiate Action then wait 60 seconds
5. Select Software Updates Scan Cycle, then click Initiate Action then wait 60 seconds

The SCCM 2007 Client should then be forced to scan for missing updates. You will then get the option to download and install the Windows updates.

❗ Note: This doesn’t seem to work if you’ve installed an update, then uninstalled it.