AutoPatcher.com, creator of a popular update utility called AutoPatcher, was ordered by Microsoft Corporation to end distribution of the software and update patches for Microsoft Windows from its web site early today.<\/p>\n
Autopatcher is a utility designed to automate the installation process of Microsoft Windows updates for ease of deployment. It is also portable, which allows administrators of multiple desktops to update PCs unattended using a CD. The utility is popular among computer technicians who work in a mobile environment. Autopatcher.com is based in Greece. The project was started in 2003. <\/p>\n
In an E-mail sent to AutoPatcher.com, Microsoft said the software, which included a compilation of updates for Microsoft Windows, was unlicensed and unauthorized for distribution by Microsoft. "We hereby give notice of these activities to you and request that you take expeditious action to remove or disable access to the material described above, and thereby prevent the illegal reproduction and distribution of this software via your company's network.", the E-mail stated. The owners immediately complied with the request and the contents of the E-mail were made public on the web site.<\/p>\n
Antonis Kaladis, Project Manager and Lead Developer of the program, broke the news to users this morning and removed the downloads, consisting primarily of a collection of mirrors. He admitted they had no other choice. "For the past 4 years, it has been a blast", Kaladis posted. "Unfortunately, it seems like it's the end of AutoPatcher as we know it."<\/p>\n
Reaction to the news from users was swift and ranged from sad resignation to vehement anger toward Microsoft.<\/p>\n
"As a support tech I found the AutoPacher essential for saving time and valuable download limits on my broadband account", wrote Bruce Roberts. "I’ll miss you greatly AutoPatcher!" Another user with the handle Zooz said "Autopatcher was a great help and I can’t understand how am I (and others like me) to manage without it".<\/p>\n
Many users touted the benefits of Autopatcher. Noted one user, whose moniker was Xan, "Autopatcher has been fantastic for me over the years, as with 4 computers on my home network, and only a limited amount of bandwidth, Autopatcher has not only saved me time, but also money that would otherwise be spent on increasing my download allocation!" Another user called JRM said "As a self-employed computer repair technician, you have saved me HOURS patching each machine I have to rebuild, 2 to 5 machines a week". He added, "Using AP I don’t have to physically sit at the machine, use WUS, download and apply the patch(es), reboot, and do the entire thing again". <\/p>\n
Some users were simply stunned. "I cannot believe that Microsoft did this", wrote Andrew Lucas. "If their software patches are freely available then what is their problem? You are providing a service Microsoft refuses to do". <\/p>\n
Many, users, however, were infuriated with the Redmond company. "They`re so stupid. How can you take down a nice project like this?", said someone who called himself Psykid. Dean Sanders wrote, "If Microsoft wants to take every tool away from the end user and leave us with just drm and wga (lawsuits too) then they can keep their software." Another one called Mat said "How can Microsoft have a problem with this? You can freely download any patch from microsoft so what’s the harm in packaging them together?" He added, "The biggest bully in the yard has his way again…".<\/p>\n
A Microsoft representative was not available for comment. <\/p>\n
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